As I said before I had already FAILED my class 1 therefore the decision to have lasik was one that was made as an I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO LOSE situations.
I did NOT get special authorisation from the CAA as they say in their own documentation....
"The decision to have this type of treatment must be between you and your eye specialist."
They also cite somewhere else in their documentation that people who've already had laser surgery (for example people who had not considered becoming pilots when they had the procedure done) would be considered for medical class 1 as long as their post operative results fall within limits and that they have NO PROBLEMS with GLARE/HALOS and have no pathalogical problems following on from it....
WOULD IT REALLY BE FAIR TO STOP PEOPLE AT THE DOOR AND SAY SORRY NO MEDICAL BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD LASIK - WITHOUT FIRST ASSESSING THEM?
THE CAA IS FAIR AND ASSESSES ALL CANDIDATES INDIVIDUALLY THIS IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET ALL THE ADVICE YOU CAN FROM CAA AND OTHERS WHO HAVE MADE DECISIONS LIKE MYSELF AND MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE.
What I did was have the lasik and then ask the CAA please would they just review me again which they did - and because the results of MY LASIK were really good and had NO effect in relation to my ability to perform required functions to become a pilot - they had no reason NOT to grant me class 1....
I had the Visual acuity standard required (6/6) in fact I am 6/5.
I had NO GLARE or HALOS around lights (due to careful consideration when having the 'flap' cut (It was made bigger than my pupil could ever become in darkness) so that I would not see the scar at night and have light bounce on it/ refract on it.
As with ALL medical interventions the CAA have rules about all procedures and ground ANYBODY having any form of medical intervention - ONLY when they have assessed that you can maintain their strict standards do they then issue the person with a medical "fit to resume flying duties"
I hope this clears up any questions - if not send me a private message and I will explain further
PLEASE NOTE - I HAVE NOT POSTED TO ADVOCATE LASIK IN ANY WAY I HAVE SIMPLY SHARED MY VIEWS / EXPERIENCE IN THE HOPE IT HELPS OTHERS WHO ARE IN THE POSITION TO GAIN CONFIDENCE THAT ALL IS NOT LOST AND THAT THERE OFTEN IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WHEN THINGS SEEM TO GO AGAINST THEM.
JJ