Vision correction

[Wally Mk2]

Just a quick ask to those guys/gals out there who need/use some form of vision correction to perform their duties as a pilot. IN OTHER WORDS ALL YOU BLIND BATS!............DAMN CAPS LOCK!!:}

Anyone know of a good optometrist in & around the ML area who kind of specializes in or is well known for prescription glasses for pilots?
Time for Wally to get something better than Op shop glasses:}


Wmk2 says tnxs:ok:

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Wally, go see the Floppy One (as in "Flopt" - the Flying Optometrist!)!

You will need to bum a ride to the Sunshine Coast.

Dr :8

[Wally Mk2]

....Dr how can I go "SEE" the 'floppy one" (what/whomever that is) when I can't see past my nose too clearly anymore?:}

Age shall not weary them.................crap!!!!.......:E


Wmk2

[lowlite]

Hey wally,

I have been using vision correction for some time. Don't know of any optometrists down your way but I would recommend spending a few extra bucks and getting transition lenses (with anti reflective coating particulary if you venture out in the night). Transitions work better in direct sunlight but even in the cockpit they do darken up a little and help reduce the glare.

[Wally Mk2]

Tnxs 'LL" I've heard that transition goggles are the way to go. I've had correction specs for a few years now just std bi-focal s but the old eyes are getting worse & I need more up to date glasses hence I thought why not ask my blind work mates for some 'correct' advice:ok:
The biggest hassle I find is VFR on top in broad daylight, I almost need welding goggles to keep out the glare!


Wmk2:-)

[Bullethead]

G'day WMk2,

Like you my eyes are a little tired and need assistance. I started with a pair of lookovers that I used only for reading, then bi-focals but I found the 'line' annoying so I opted for mult-focals and I reckon they're great. I have two pair, one clear and the other tinted. You can get the tinted ones as dark as you want them.

One advantage of multi-focals is that if things are going a bit blurry you just raise them up yer nose a little and things become clearer. Squeeze the nose pads together a little for a more lasting correction.

I just went to a local bloke out west of Sydney, my medical fund covers most of the cost, the last pair only set me back around $60.

Regards,
BH.

[djpil]

My recent eye exam for my aviation medical was at Nathan & Slack Optometrists in St Kilda Rd with Tereza - she seemed to be very knowledgeable.

PS - for sunglare I use Zurich sunglasses (http://www.zurichsunglasses.com/)which simply go over the top of the ordinary specs. Optional headband so they don't interfere with the headset.

[Aerodynamisist]

Don't forget to the spare pair which you are required to carry under some regulation in one of the big books of aeroplane rules, last time I got ramped they wanted to see them after seeing the "distance vision correction required" on my medical. Go for the high end polly carbonate lenses they are thinner for the same correction - looks less nerdy.

[Peter Fanelli]

If you've been using glass lenses for any length of time you probably will not be happy with ANY of the plastic types.

I actually had a need to use my spare pair once when a 402 upper door fell and knocked my specs off (breaking them) and gave me a good gash to the forehead. Still have a scar from that. Damn those old Cessna door supports!

[tail wheel]

I almost need welding goggles to keep out the glare!

In that case, have your eyes tested for cataracts.

[frigatebird]

In Melb you wouldn't be on anti-malarials, but in the tropics in some places people use them, and the older ones would dilate the irus over time letting in more light. Maybe the new ones don't have the side effects, - haven't used them. Posted some time back, (don't know where now), about how my new darker sunglasses became too dark after I stopped taking the pills and the eyes reverted back. If you take any medication, for anything, check out the side effects over time on your eyes.

[Tankengine]

Before shelling out on multifocals or transitions check with your DAME.
He advised multifocals not allowed. [blurry periferal vision possible]
and a squillion years ago transition type lenses not allowed due too slow to change clear when decending through bright cloud to dark below. [IFR]:hmm:

[Ken Borough]

From a long-time wearer of specs due to bad myopia.

1. High index glass is much better than any plastic. While glass is more fragile than plastic, it is much clearer, will not scratch and will not degrade/discolour over time. Caotings on glass are better than the plastic.

2. An Australian company produces a very good range of titanium or steel frames that are supplied with clip-on polarised sunnies. They also market yellow tint clip-ons that enhanve vision in poor light. The clip-ons match the frame, easy and quick to attach and areheld very firmly in place by 'hook magnets'. I will happily post a web address if anyone is ineterested and no, I do not have any connection with said outfit.

3. Polarised sunnies will block up to 50% of light and are often too dark to use. Any good optical dispenser has the capacity to tint polarised lenses to suit the wearer - they chuck out the supplied lens and fit to order at a fairly insignificant cost.

4. Hate to disagree with Tailie but glare becomes an issue after cataract surgery. Car headlights at night can be a problem with catarcts but in general terms, cataracts act as a filter and so do not admit as much light to the eye. If there's reduced light getting through, glare will be significantly reduced.

Happy to share my experiences with fellow myopes!:ok:

[LeadSled]

check with your DAME.
Folks,

Go to a CASA listed Ophthalmologist, not just a DAME, find them on the CASA web site. Your eyes are too valuable to neglect, or be subjected to "cheap" glasses.

As for pilot/aeroplane specific bi or tri-focal lens, (standard figures for near vision correction -"reading" glasses are not correct for most pilot use) Martin X Hogan in Melbourne.

As for lens material, always CR-8 or similar polycarbonate (not to be confused with crap lenses in many "fashion" glasses - even "Kite Marked") lenses, and guess what, they are LESS liable to scratching than optical glass.

It's just not a good idea to have "glass" that close to your eyeballs, even a relatively minor frontal impact to glass lens can and all to often has had a devastating effect on an eyeball --- polycarbonate leaves are often used in ballistic vests ---- never "glass".

There are no (optically speaking) one eyed professional pilots.

Tootle pip!!

PS: Before some of the nasty dills get a chance to post, and starts making stupid insinuations or accusations, I have absolutely no connection with Hogan, other than a very satisfied customer who's eyeballs have got old at the same rate as the rest of me, over 30+ years --- I don't even live in Melbourne, but have had glasses made for me there, when Melbourne was "at the other end of the earth".

PS2: If anybody has any doubts about the toughness of polycarbonate in general, many years ago I lead a team experimenting with polycarbonate injection molded gearbox casings in cars. Quite successful engineering-wise, but then aluminum got cheaper, and the bean counters made the obvious decision.

[HarleyD]

I went over from single vision correction to bifocals about two years ago. bloke who did mine is a ompometrist who is also a CPL and he made me an excellent pair that work great. line is perfectly placed for day and night VFR and IFR and the approach plate is perfect and the clocks are focussed. I didn't believe they could be so good.

plastic - polycarbonate (colombia resin CR 32)is a space program thing and has been refined, and with hard facing is pretty durable and much lighter than glass. if they get too scratched, bin em and upgrade, they are consumable, despite the cost.

I also have prescription sunnies as well as I don't think that you can successfully combine the two.

last (scratchy) pair is in my flight bag as spares, as required.

HD

[Like This - Do That]

Considered Ortho-K ? Can't help you with Ortho-K savvy optometrists in ML, sorry. Can recommend a bloke in Sydney if you're interested.

Ortho-K is using rigid gas-permeable lenses to 'reshape' the cornea during sleep. Take 'em out after waking up, and HEY PRESTO! Good vision without glasses. I've been using Ortho-K for about 15 years, Opthalmologists / DAMEs I've been to have no problems with them, have never even been questioned about this approach.

Food for thought for ya!

[Wally Mk2]

.....................hey thanks everyone for some great advice, I knew I could start here amongst my blind mates to get an "insight" in to what others have done about this age old problem!:ok: I don't know how Airline Pilots handle it. A panel ahead of them, an over-head panel a lower center panel not to mention what's outside the cockpit to see (rwy etc) so perhaps octo-focal glasses?:}


Wmk2, I can see clearly now the rain has gone:)

[Bullethead]

G'day Wally,

I've had the multi-focals for several years and I find them great but my opto doc says that they do not suit everyone.

I drive a B767 and the top bit of the lens is for looking outside, the middle bit for the insrument panel and the bottom bit for the Jepps and their microscopic printing. The only time I have to squint is looking at the overhead panel and then I just push the specs up the bridge of my nose a bit and all is revealed.

Regards,
BH

[PLovett]

Hey Wal, I'd give you an answer but I can't see the keyboard! :}

Seriously, wait long enough and presbyopia sets in and the myopia or short-sightedness goes away. :ok: My eyesight is nearly back to 20/20 in both eyes after having been quite degraded for over 30 years.

Reading is getting more difficult but thankfully, can still read the Jepps although do need good light for some of the finer print. :(

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

My eyesight is nearly back to 20/20 in both eyes after having been quite degraded for over 30 years

Ditto - I am back to being spec free!

Dr :8

[mustafagander]

Yep, it's true. Getting old has at least one advantage if you start out short sighted!! I'm now back to 20/20.

Pity about those bloody Jepp charts and their green on green printing though.

[Biggles_in_Oz]

Yep, it's true. Getting old has at least one advantage if you start out short sighted!! I'm now back to 20/20.That's what I thought would happen to me., alas no :{
What does work for me are big lenses, with a big bifocal section, so that I don't have to move my head to scan the panel.
It's not a 'run-of-the-mill' prescription and costs slightly more to make, but then, we're not 'run-of-the-mill' people are we :E

I did need to insist that the opthomalogist set the foci to suit the distance to the instrument panel, which is close to but not the same as, the distance they normally use for 'reading'.

[Wally Mk2]

Tnxs 'BH'. I recently sat in the A320 Sim (what a thrill, all those blank thingies:)!) & thought gee I'd need an upper section of my bifocals set to close in distance reading (upper panel), that would make glasses for me the top part distant reading, center part long distance (down rwy etc) & lower part close up reading of microscopic Jepps charts, damn hard to manage I'd say but there must be zillions of blind 'bus' drivers out there!:-) Maybe my experience is helping me push the right buttons at the moment!.........scarey!:)


Wmk2 says tnxs those for advice gentlemen:ok:

[freshy1234]

I use contacts for my moderate myopia. Some people seem to think they have issues (dry eyes, itching etc) but luckily they don't affect me. I can wear them for 16 hours with out a problem (carry glasses "just in case"). After that I can feel them, a quick squirt of solution is all I need. Currently I'm using the fortnightly type (remove at night lasts 14 days) but will likely switch to dailies (cheaper).

Cheers