Hyperphoria and my Initial Class 1 Medical
Hey all, this is my first post on PPRuNe after being a lurker with no account for nearly half a year.
I had my initial class 1 medical examination today and it did not go as well as I was hoping. We went through my medical history and I had anemia, iron deficiency and hemoglobin deficiency as a child. These were between the ages of 2 and 8, so 6 years of my life. In the space of 11 years, there has been no sign of anemia and the deficiencies. However, the AME would like me to get a full blood test with the analysis and I need to see a specialist regarding a hemoglobin test. However, this is currently looking positive as there were no signs of the medical problems during my blood test performed on the day.
Now the real problem is, although I wear glasses, and I know that since my first optician's eye test that my eyesight is and has been greater than 20/20, I have a slight issue with my hyperphoria. When the optometrist was performing my eye test for the Class 1 Medical, my hyperphoria (vertical eye separation) was 4.0 diopters and the maximum to pass is 2.0 diopters, so essentially I didn't pass the eye test, to say this is really disappointing is an understatement as I would've never expected this to be a problem. I spoke to the optometrist regarding this and I can appeal this, and they recommended I do.
Then I went back to speak to the AME, my next step is to complete the hemoglobin and blood test and send the results to the AME, and if those come back as a pass, I can make the appeal for my class 1 medical. Now I have never had double vision and I notice no difference between both eyes regarding the vertical difference. I don't want to give up on my goal to become a commercial airline pilot, however, I don't want to go through the whole training process and the expense to have a restriction on my class 1 medical that airlines won't accept. When I was speaking to the AME the talk about settling in for a class 2 did come up, but I don't want to throw in the towel, I was told there is a possibility of still getting a class 1 medical, it may require more tests, there was even talk on a possible option where I could continue flying and if I feel comfortable and the CAA agree (I'm sure there is more to it that I don't know as of yet) I may still be issued my class 1. I currently have 8 flying hours and the money I've spent already is not a issue as I've enjoyed every second of it.
I'm currently in a tricky situation, I searched up a little about hyperphoria and the CAA Class 1 but there's not much to it regarding a post on PPRuNe from 2005 and this from the CAA Guidance, where the 4 dioptres are at 6 meters.
h) HeterophoriaApplicants with a heterophoria (imbalance of the ocular muscles) exceeding:
(1) At 6 metres:
2.0 prism dioptres in hyperphoria,
10.0 prism dioptres in esophoria,
8.0 prism dioptres in exophoria;
and
(2) At 33 centimetres:
1.0 prism dioptre in hyperphoria,
8.0 prism dioptres in esophoria,
12.0 prism dioptres in exophoria
should be assessed as unfit. The applicant should be reviewed by an ophthalmologist and if the fusional reserves are sufficient to prevent asthenopia and diplopia a fit assessment may be considered.
Would I have a chance of receiving my class 1 medical, or am I just wasting my time?
Thanks,
Chak.