I just came across the following and I quote it from page 4 of Vol.42, No. 1 of the "Federal Air surgeon's medical Bulletin" issued by the US FAA. It's a bit dated as it goes back to 2004 but it indicates that it is possible for pilots with Keratoconus to continue flying provided certain requirements are met. Below is the relevant excerpt. If you want to read the whole thing you can go to:
http://www.faa.gov/library/reports/m...ia/F2004_1.pdf
"
The Aerospace Medical Certification
Division has also been in discussions
with the Medical Specialties Division in
Washington about the use of Orthokeratolgy
for correction of refractive error.
This procedure is already permitted for
the treatment of keratoconus in airmen
upon receipt of a favorable FAA Eye
Exam (Form 8500-7). The guidance is
as follows:
Orthokeratology is acceptable for medical
certification purposes, provided
the airman can demonstrate corrected
visual acuity in accordance with medical
standards defined in 14 CFR Part
67. When corrective contact lenses are
required to meet vision standards, the
medical certificate must have the appropriate
limitation annotated (MUST
WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES).
Advise airmen that they must follow
the prescribed or proper use of orthokeratology
lenses to ensure compliance
with vision standards. Airmen should
think about how they wear their lenses
to modify their corneas in relation to
their flying habits so that their visual
acuity is within standards during the
time period of flight. Airmen should
also consider changes or extensions of
their work schedules when deciding on
orthokeratology retainer lens use.
Another inquiry since the last Bulletin
concerned the Crystalens, a model AT-45
accommodative intraocular lens (IOL).
Per the Ophthalmology Times, the lens affords
patients clear, uncorrected vision at
near, intermediate, and distance. Once
inserted, it was found that the ciliary
muscle allows it to adjust the vision.
The lens was approved in November
of 2003. Now that it is in wide use,
there have been some issues with glare.
Prior to accepting it for flying, we are
going to wait one year to evaluate the
secondary effects.
We also need to reiterate that the uses
of multifocal lenses, either as contacts or
as intraocular lenses, are unacceptable
at this time. They can cause glare and
halos at night, even requiring the use
of the unacceptable topical medication
Pilocarpine!
Now, let’s do some cases. Note, only
the Federal Air Surgeon or his designees,
the Regional Flight Surgeons, and the
Manager, Aerospace Medical Certification
Division, can authorize a waiver or
special issuance."