Eyesight-HELP!!!!

[Easy226]

I have just visited the opticians and i took along a copy of the class one visual standards. She checked everything out and said everything on the line was fine, EXCEPT for one thing!She said that i was a bit out on one of the eye muscle inbalance limits. I was slightly in excess of 6D eso -measured at 33 cm (or something like that!!). I would be interested if anyone has any comments abou this??. .Many thanx

P.s. It did not say you would fail with this, but you need to see an eye specialist at Gatwick-what does this mean and involve???

[g_conaty]

I have the same kind of problem. From what information ive recieved and been told, my advice would be to arrange a class 1 medical at Gatwick or see your local CAA Medical Examiner.

Your local flying school will have a list of names and numbers of all local CAA Medical Examiners.

The advantages of arranging a Class 1 are that you will find out if you are fit enough to follow training through to the end.. .The disadvantages are that it costs a lot more than a class 2 medical and your local CAA medical examiner should be able to tell you whether or not you have acceptable vision.

All in all i would contact your flying school and get a list of CAA Examiners in your area. Then arrange to visit one and get a class 2 medical. Also ask them about your vision. It might be that you are capable of getting a class 2 and not a class 1 or it could be that you can get a class 1.

If you get a class 2, then you are able to commence training for a PPL.

There are many threads on this forum regarding the class 1 and how to arrange one as well as how about going about arrangin them and where they take place. (Initial class 1 medical i think is at heathrow and the the actual at gatwick although i could be mistaken)

What stage of training are you at?

I hope this information has been of use and i wish you the best of luck for the future.

. .--------------------------------------------------

"Aviation is a good way to make a small fortune, as long as you start off with a large fortune"

[Easy226]

Hi flyer boy, i dont excatly know what the problem is with my eye?? I hold a Class 2 medical already and the doctor said that everything was ok, even for class one. This problem arose when i went to the opticians. I dont know weather she had the wrong figure or something??!! I havent started my ppl yet, but i am in the process of researching schools, etc. . .So did you have the same problem then??. .Many thanks, Dan

[g_conaty]

Yeah i was told the same but id take the CAA examiners word because he knows more about the aviation requirements.

[Easy226]

So do you think i should take a class one medical now or just go and see my caa doctor who did my class 2?? The funny thing was that when i showed my otician the requirements, all of my eye functions were 'easily in' she said, then she suddenly can about one???!! Im still thinking about it now and i want to get it sorterd out!!!

[FireDragon]

Hi Dan

From what you are describing, it sounds like you have a v. slight strabismus, (squint), of the eye. Eso means that it deviates inwards, (ie, the eye 'looks' towards your nose). . . . .Because it is small, it is probably not noticeable at all, which would explain why you didn't know you had it, but it is in effect an eye muscle imbalance.

I can't remember the CAA requirements for eso, and exo, (squint turning outwards), but hopefully you will be within their limits.

Have a look at their website for details, or ring up and have a chat with the opthalmologist.

Good luck. .FD

[Easy226]

Oh right, thanks. If it is that, i definatly dont notice it! Can you give me the number + when they are open?? Why would this affect flying anyway??

[cyclic flare]

I had the same problem several years ago with my class one. The CAA were a nightmare and would not entertain a class one medical. I visited a specalist eye surgeon Dr Rosen at Oxford who carried out a few minor tests and convinced the CAA it was not a problem. Dr Paul Rosen number will be available from CAA at Gatwick

[Mark 1]

I've just come back from one of these £115 consultations at Gatwick to see if I comply with the new limits (fortunately I do).

The JAR and CAA both allow upto 6D at 33cm for esophoria. If it is more than this you are assessed for susceptibility to double vision (diplopia) or weakness/fatigue (asthenopia) either of which will classify you as unfit.. .If you pass, there isn't any discount on the full class 1 medical though at a further £400

[ASI]

As far as I am aware I have never been tested for any eye muscle imbalance etc at either the opticians or for my class 2 examination. Just curious as to how it is tested by the CAA and where the numbers (6D at 33cm) comes from?

[BUDGIE]

I believe what we are discussing is a ocular muscle imbalance - ahh i remember when the CAA optician said I wasn't getting a Class 1 or 2 at 18!. .I do recall saying I want to see the consultant opthomologist(spelling!) and they said it'd be a month. I requested they phone him and find out where he was on the day - which they duly did and he said he'd see me on the day! Did have a twenty quid taxi fare tho'!. .Well doc walks in room takes one look and said why have they sent you here? Basically he said there was ****** all up with me and confirmed it with the same tests. Did the CAA charge me? Nope and if they had I would've flipped my lid! Doc said that they should've spotted their mistake i.e. they told him i had a massive squint, I have no squint at all hence why he was completely miffed by it all, me too!. .So go get the class one, take no sh!t and stand your ground. and most of all don't pay for their - caa's- mistakes! oh and another thing don't let em' do the heart stuff straight after they give you the sh!tters and that's another story of seeing the consultant cardiologist on the same day cause of their approach to things! Hello BUDGIE you've failed the eyetest I'd like to check your blood pressure and listen to your heart now <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

why's it such a hassle to be a pilot!!!!

BUDGIE

p.s. got the class I with no restrictions

[ 28 February 2002: Message edited by: BUDGIE ]

[ 28 February 2002: Message edited by: BUDGIE ]</p>

[andrea woodhead]

I have had slightly different eyesight problems for a Class 1 Medical. My optician prepared a report on my eye examination for the CAA (free of charge) which I sent in. The CAA responded in 2 weeks (free of charge!), unfortunately to advise me that I wouldn't get a Class 1, but it did put an end to the umming and ahing.