SAS-A321

When getting your eyes fixed with LASIK, can the AME see it on your eyes?

Do you have to provide some kind of proof that your vision was within the limits (JAR Class 1) before the operation or can he measure it on the eyes?

RMarvin86

I'm also interested in knowing this answer. I searched old posts and I found that there are two ways of finding it at the medical examination.

My question is. If they don't notice it during the first visit is there any possibility that they will find it during renuwal?

If I don't declare surgery and they find it at the first visit, then what happens?

Is there anyone out there who did cheat in some way?

Any information is more than welcome

mau mau

Ok guys.......

On the basis of my experience.
in UK (Gatwick) I did not saw any computer to do Corneal mapping and they did not any special examination at my cornea.
So I assume if you don't tell them nothing they are not able to find the laser intervention.
But Lasik and other laser corrections are allowed, if you are inside limits before the intervention so why don't tell them?
Since laser is allowed, is better to admit about the intervention because before practice the visit, you have to sign a paper with your story and there is explicity a question :"Do you had any lasers/lasik intervention at your eyes"?
If you declare NO, you do a false declaration....I don't know what happen.
And even if you pass your initial and in the future will emerge you did laser, should be a BIG BIG problem. Much better tell them as first thing.
I did my laser (RPK) 8 year ago, and no problem at all: 1 class no restrictions.
When you do laser, clearly before the laser intervention, the doctor write your clinic state, included pre-operative myopia and astigmatism: AME will want a copy of this paper. Thats all.

RMarvin86

Of course there should be no problem to admit laser/lasik if you fall within limits. Problems come when you're out of those limit before eye surgery.

Can somebody tell me if CAA UK is stricly applying the JAA limits or do they evaluate each situation? I know about the astigmatism limit pre-operation is 2.0 dioptres for first visit. What if I do lasik with 2.25 or 2.50 and have slight miopia (less thank 3 dioptres), any chance to pass? Anyone did have experience like this? I don't want to cheat but I'll do my best to get class 1. Do I have more chance if I already hold an italian class 1 and going to UK after surgery for first time visit? I cannot either do renuwal in italy because don't hold CPL yet and I'm looking forward to do surgery and fly over to the UK.
Any information about this topic will be of help. Thanks!

mau mau

NO WAY in Italy.
In Italy is not permitted to do laser, so if you did laser and have 0,05 astigmatism and 0,05 myopia, you will be out anyway. Due that i went in UK. ITALY does not apply JAR FCL-3 even if is a JAA nation.

UK apply strictly the limits for initial!!!!
If you are outside limits I suggest:

1 - Ask to AME: if they said you can do it even outside limits and you will be alright if the visit will be ok....you are ready to fly!!

2 - If they said " NO, even with laser you will not be able to gain 1 class"...well, I suggest to go in USA, get 1 class (you will get it in USA, don't worry) and do CPL FAA. Then come back in UK and go to gatwick: they, on the basis of CPL/1 class ICAO (FAA), will apply to you the renewal limit (no limits for astigmatism and -8 for myopia) even if is a initial.

3 - Don't tell them nothing! And Hopefully does not happen anything in the future.

RMarvin86

Thank you mau mau, I never considered option n. 2, and it seems to be the best solution. Do you have a link to FAA medical requirements?
So, if I got it right if I get an FAA CPL with of course an FAA class 1 after the training I can apply for a JAA-UK class 1 and they will apply the renuwal restriction even if I did never show up at gatwick before? After that convirt FAA into JAA and be able to fly in Italy-Europe? Sounds cool.

Are sure that renuwal limits are -8 for myopia and no limits for astigmatism? I though it was 3.0 for astigmatism and 5.0 for myopia or did they change it recently?

RMarvin86

I found this:

eCFR ? Code of Federal Regulations

Seems to be the official eye requirment to obtain an FAA class 1 medical certificate. It seems strange but I can't find any myopia/astigmatism restriction !! Is that true? Would be great.
I want to be sure about this and about the fact that converting to JAA they do not apply any specific restriction for astigmatism.

Thanks for help.

mau mau

But why do you want to work in Italy??! This is a **** place to fly and the airlines as well.
Anyway regarding FAA requirements, you will find everything you need on website.
Regarding limits in UK look at follow:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...=90&pageid=531

other usefull info are here:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...=90&pageid=534

"JAR Class 1
The initial refractive error (correction) limit is +5/-6 dioptres. There is no myopic limit for revalidation/renewal. The astigmatism (distortion) and anisometropia (difference between the eyes) initial limits are 2 dioptres, but there are no limits for revalidation/renewal.
NOTE: contact lenses must be worn if the anisometropia exceeds 3 dioptres."


PS: If you hold a FAA CPL, it's not their roule to apply renewal limit....BUT....
They are more free to examine you carefully and apply at their own discretion the limits of renewal. And 90% they will try to meet your need.
Without cpl FAA (icao) instead, they shall scrupulously keep the limits for initial.

itsmejames

After a successful LASik surgery many of my colleagues kept on asking me about “is LAsik painful?” and I always told them that its not, a bite of an ant is more painful than LASik. Anyway, I want to share to everyone here who are planning to have the same procedure but skeptical about the pain, I will tell you that its NOT painful, because you will receive anesthetic eye drops prior to your LASIK treatment which should prevent from feeling any discomfort, though some people do experience a slight sensation of pressure on their eyes during the procedure. Once you return home after LASIK, it is normal for some patients to experience mild discomfort, watery eyes, light sensitivity or blurry vision. These symptoms are usually temporary and treatable with over the counter medication, such as Tylenol. Hope it helps you folks.

planecrazy.eu

Not sure why you wouldnt want to declare you have had lasik/ek surgery.

When i was going through the motions, i asked the CAA and they said its acceptable, however they extra check a few things like glare.

I am pretty sure if your honest or not, it wont change the outcome.

But i may well be wrong....

I recon there are better ways to cheat the test than that...

niknak

Don't forget that if you've previously held any CAA medical certificate and you were required to wear corrective lenses/spectacles, the AME may ask a few searching questions if you turn up for a renewal/reissue and are able to see unaided.

Until recently, it used to be the case that the CAA required you to undertake a period of time away from flying/controlling to ensure that satisfactory stability of the eyes.

Best to come clean and admit it.

Raptor_

Yes they will see it!

When I did my initial Class 1 they took a picture of my eyes, measuring the thickness of the cornea etc. The first thing the lady asked me when she looked at the screen was; how long is it since you had laser surgery performed?

I think the required wait before you can apply for a Class 1 medical after you had LASIK done is minimum 6 months. They are however not interested in what your vision was pre-LASIK, only what your vision is uncorrected (and corrected if needed) at the time you do your medical.

Be honest with your AME, playing tricks and covering up things will only come back to you the bad way.

Money 4 Jam

I believe this information to be wrong, stabilized vision is a requirement. I had a 1st class certificate about six weeks post surgery.

Raptor_

It is actually 3 months for LASIK and 6 months for PRK.
JAR Class 1 visual standards as applied by the UK CAA:
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...90&pageid=2189 - See under "Refactive Surgery"

I belive there are, or might be, some small variations from country to country regarding the different limits and wait-times etc.

What I said in my previous post about the pre-op vision is not entirely correct. Your vision pre-op, at least for the UK, should be no worse than +5/-6, but if you're just outside you can discuss your case with the CAA Medical Department.

downunderscouser

Hi peoples,

I have been training for a CPL in Australia and on my initial medical class 1 and 2 I was granted a conditional class 1 and 2 with restrictions due to inferior eyesight in my left eye due to amblyopia.

I passed vision in both eyes, and in my left eye, however i only managed 6/12 instead of 6/9 in my right eye.

The restrictions are:

Valid for Australian airspace only
No rotary wing flying
No mustering or low level agricultural flying.

I am most concerned of course about the first restriction as this pretty much sounds like it blows away any chance of flying for an airline internationally.

I believe that these restrictions are placed because I pass the medical requirements for Australian airspace, but ICAO's vision standards are higher therefore the medical is not valid outside of australia.

Is this the case for me or is it still possible to fly internationally?

Are there any ways around this?

RavenII

I had a similar problem.

For the FAA you can do a medical flight test, if u pass this, you get an unrestricted medical.

I passed it and they gave me a state of demonstrated ability, if i rock up fo a new medical, i just show this soda, and they give me my new medical (ClassI) without trouble. (And i'm flying rotorwing, not fixedwing)

For the JAA it is a different story, that really depends on the situation....

downunderscouser

Thanks for that reply - it definately gives me some hope

I gather that means travelling to the USA to do that medical flight test?

Anyone got any suggestions about JAA? what about CAA?

ivierre

Sorry to hear that....

I am sorry but i am abit confused. How is amblyopia different from other visions problems like short sighted, long sighted or astigmatism?

Is the 6/9 requirement the requirement without corrective lenses? Could corrective lenses or lasik surgery help with the problem of amblyopia?

ariel

ivierre

Amblyopia is a condition where the affected eye cannot be corrected by prescription lenses, or otherwise.

I think (and I obviously will stand to be corrected by those who know for sure), that in undiagnosed, (and therefore, uncorrected) amblyopia in childhood, the neural pathways from the eye to the brain do not develop properly, so good vision is never attained in that eye.

If discovered in early childhood, methods such as surgery or eye patching are used to 'force' the brain to accept vision from the defective eye, thus preventing the deterioration in the neural pathways.

ivierre

Thank you very much and I am sorry to hear that. But do not give up!

Actually, say, how do someone find out if they have Amblyopia or not? except being checked by the specialist?