Not sure if its any help or not but I have recently been issued with a UK CAA class 1 by the CAA at Gatwick as I wish to become an ATCO. I sat the medical before applying to NATS because I have another medical issue that is not related to eyesight and I thought I would find out if I met the standard or not since the medical is way down the line. On initial application before I finally had the Class 1 certificate I was told that my eyesight did not meet the Class 1 standard. I found this odd as indications from Gatwick were that my eyesight would not be a problem. Once I finally got the Class 1 certificate 2 weeks ago I put a copy of that and the letter in the post to NATS, I also emailed them saying I now have a Class 1. The email response I recieved back said that the original response they gave was incorrect and I should have been told that I dont meet the eyesight standard for NATS. I now feel my chances of being an ATCO are now almost non existant especially as I wish to do area. Hopefuly the copy of the certificate and its covering letter will help
This begs me to ask why does an ATCO need better eyesight than a pilot?
Ps Having hunted high and low it seems that NATS don't publish their medical criteria. From what I have heard I do believe they use the Class 1 standard though that won't explain the response I have had from them.