Optic Nerve Head Drusen

[gone_fishing]

Hi all,

After recently going for a Class 1 medical at Gatwick, I was found to have a small blind spot in my left eye. I was asked to be referred to a opthamologist to check this out and he believes I have a rare condition called Optic Nerve Head Drusen. I still need to have some scans to confirm this.

I have pretty much written off flying commercially (whilst he said I currently meet the standards for a Class 1 medical, my eyesight may deteriorate in the future and thus I could fall below the standard - this is all if I am able to get a Class 1 medical with the condition). Does anyone know if I'd be able to get a Class 1 or Class 2 medical so that I could still do a PPL? If not, assuming I'm still OK to drive, would I be able to get an NPPL with the less stringent medical requirements or should I just give up on flying altogether?

Thanks in advance,
gone_fishing.

[gingernut]

It sounds like the findings need unravelling by an expert.

Everyone has a "blind spot." Try looking straight ahead and moving your finger in from an outstretched arm (in a straight line), towards your nose, and there will be a moment when your peripheral vision lets you down, (then re-appears as you move your finger towards your nose.)

I'm wondering if they've found an "enlarged" blind spot in your case? (The tests can sometimes be a little subjective.)

Without wishing to falsely raise your expectations, Drusens can be more normal than not, especially in over 40's.

Seek the help of an ophthalmologist to sort your symptoms, and please keep us informed.

[gone_fishing]

Thanks guys,

Optic Nerve Head Drusens, I've been told, cannot be treated. In 75% cases, so I've read, people will experience a further deterioration of their eyesights field of vision. However, most people do not go blind from the condition and few suffer affects to their central vision. It's all subjective, but I've read of people being diagnosed when they were 19 and only starting to have trouble when they're 50 or so (I'm currently 17).

Having, for years, wanted to go into commercial flying, I'm rather gutted and it still hasn't fully sunk in (even if I can get a Class 1, which I doubt, I have no idea how long I'd be able to keep within the standards - it could be 30 years, more or alot less). Still, I'd like to do a PPL if I can get a Class 2 medical or a Class 1 medical. Does anyone know where the CAA stand on this issue? I've still got to have some tests to confirm that it is as suspected (in a way, I'm hoping it is - all the other conditions that present with my symptoms are lot worse, that I've read).

Thanks again,
gone_fishing.

[AnthonyGA]

At least in the United States, it's possible to get a Class 1 medical even with only one functioning eye, so if your condition is limited to one eye, you should still be able to get any type of license (if the CAA is like the FAA). There are certainly one-eyed pilots flying in the U.S.

Whether or not you'd be able to get a job as an airline pilot is a separate question, for which I don't have an answer.

[gone_fishing]

I have pretty much ruled out commercial flying. Whilst the condition, I believe, affects both my eyes, I can still see well and meet the visual standards and could well do so for the next 30 years or more (hopefully). I still wouldn't mind a Class 1 as I'd do a PPL, NQ and probably an IR.

I do, however, have a feeling they'll turn me down for both a Class 1 and Class 2 as the following is in the requirements for both:

There must be no acute or chronic disease in either eye or surrounding structures.

It's really sad, because I potentially could maintain better eyesight than many people flying at the moment for a very long time. Anyway, I still believe I meet the medical requirements for the NPPL so that is still a possibility, I guess.

Thanks again, everyone.

[7120]

Nerve head drusen are rare and have varied presentations - usually, like you, as an incidental finding.

While there are many literature case reports and small cross sectional studies there are no decent longitudinal studies demonstrating progression - don't believe everything on Wikipedia.

I don't see amy reason why you shouldn't persue a career in aviation. Given the predominantly innocuous and static nature of drusen the CAA would be hard pushed to deny you a license.

[pilotincommand]

gone_fishing

As you will see from the PM I have sent you, your situation is far from hopeless as regards commercial flying.

[gone_fishing]

Thanks everyone for the replies and PMs I have had. I've got the further scans scheduled for Friday.

If it is Optic Nerve Head Drusen which I have, I'm totally confused. It seems that the medical profession is in disagreement about how serious the condition is and whether there is the liklihood of progression. I have had some PM's from some people who seem very much in-the-know and who claim that condition is totally benign and non-progressive. The opthamologist consultant I saw also described the condition as benign but said there could be further progression, without stating the liklihood or how severe (when I asked him if I could go blind, he very carefully replied "of the hundreds of people I have diagnosed with this conditon, I have known of no one going blind" or words to that effect). Other sources (i.e. web searches) go from taking the view of the opthamologist I saw to a particularly scary opinion that progression was highly likely and that many people suffer severe progression. All this has had caused me to become highly confused about the situation - both in terms of my chances of getting a Class 1 medical and my future health. I just don't know quite what to think about this condition. :confused:

[gingernut]

It's called a medical opinion, because it's just that.

Specialists never say never, and never say always.

Use your perfect vision to read between the lines, and enjoy your future career:)