Field vision test for Class 1

[red button]

Just done my Class one renewal in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Was given a CAA form to take to an opthalmatrist to fill in. He had to do a full Field vision test. Takes over half an hour and is bloody boring. Almost fell asleep...
Worrying thing to do never the less!

[soggyboxers]

I recently did mine in London and was told that the new regulations about this come into effect on 1 January. It will be a requirement for all pilots over the age of (I think) 40 to have it done every 2 years. I was also told that this is just to make sure that as we become middle-age wed all have our regular check at the opticians.

[BoeingMEL]

These field vision tests are also useful in that they can detect early signs of optic neuritis and other probs. My Class 1 field vision test back in 97 showed a small blind spot in my right eye... undetected by me. 5 days of tests in hospital resulted in a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The neuro assured me that early detection and treatment by steroids had hugely reduced the number and scale of the attacks which I would have suffered. Cope with the boredom! bm

[Islander Jock]

I suffered a bout of Central Serous Retinopathy in my right eye a couple of years back and still have a slight loss of central vision in that eye. The main thing they (CASA) keep wanting to confirm for my class 1 is that my peripheral vision is ok, so for me it's off the the ophthalmologist every year for a check.

Good thing is that the system provides an accurate map of your fields of vision and as BoeingMEL says, it can detect early signs of perhaps something more serious.

[red button]

I see. :8

Thanks for clearing that up. I suffer from mild myopia and some astigmatism. The thing that bothers me though, is that they (UK CAA) have made this test mandatory, only for wearers of corrective lenses.
Now, I aint a doctor of any kind, but I can't see the logic in only wearers of glasses having this test. :8
My BIG question is:
Wouldn't it be possible for ever pilots that dont need corrective lenses to have other medical problems with their eyesight :ouch:

Can anyone please enlighten me! :confused: