Vari-focal lenses and Medical

[bvgs]

Any problems in a ppl passing a medical wearing varifocal glasses? Assuming of course he can read the chart and text :O

[Sloppy Link]

More than ten characters now. Nope.

[Robbo Jock]

Depends on the correction, I'd guess, and how far the 'near' blends into the 'far' parts of the lenses. I use varifocals and haven't had a problem with medicals or flying.

[TexanHawk]

There are no limits on what you wear for corrective lenses. Asked my AME that last year. The test are done at 16 inches and if you're over 50 at 32 inches also. You only need to meet 20-40 corrected or un-corrected.

Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners (http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/standards/)

[Reely340]

Nope, monofocal lenses only.

EU-Reg. 1178/2011 MED.B.070 (j) (4): if contact lenses are worn, they shall be for distant vision, mono focal, non-tinted and well tolerated;

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02011R1178-20120408&qid=1397930709721&from=EN


Don't know if EASA rules apply to you at all. If they do and your country chose to opt-out from instantiating the EASA FCL at 8.4.2012 the above wording might be law in your country since 8.4.2013 (1 year opt-out) but definitely is applicable ruling since 8.4.2014 (2 year opt-out), as it is the case here in Austria.

I'm currently in the process of harvesting the low hanging fruits of EASA FCL medical rules, specifically the irrelevance of amount of uncorrected visual acuity when striving for class 1 medical. (in JAR FCL times someone with -7 dioptres uncorrected were unfit for class 1,
no matter how great his corrected visual acutiy would have been)

[TexanHawk]

OP was asking about glasses. But that is interesting about EASA rules on contacts.

FAA rules on contact lenses: Monocular lenses are not allowed. Multifocal/Bifocal Binocular contact lenses ARE allowed.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/binocular/

[CHARLIEOSCAR]

Guidance on Presbyopic correction

Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers have to change their gaze frequently between objects at near, intermediate and far distances. With age, the ability of the eye to focus on near tasks decreases. This is known as presbyopia and the individual requires a prescription for near tasks. If a distance prescription is also required, some form of optical correction is needed which incorporates focus for both distance and near (and also intermediate) vision.
The following offers information for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers in the following areas of optical correction:1) Spectacles
2) Contact Lenses
3) Intra-ocular lens implants
Spectacles
All types of correction (bifocal, progressive or trifocal) are acceptable provided they are well tolerated. Bifocals will offer distance and near correction with the near portion being a distinct segment within the lower part of the lens. There are different bifocal types: D-segment are the most prevalent and these are acceptable. Executive bifocals (where the reading portion covers the whole width of the lens) are less ideal, and are not recommended for helicopter pilots.
Progressive lenses (or varifocals) change in prescription gradually from the distance part of the lens at the top, to the near portion of the lens towards the bottom. These lenses will also have an area of intermediate focus in-between the distance and near portions. The other type of lens available with an intermediate prescription is a trifocal lens. These are usually similar in appearance to bifocals but with an extra segment on top of the near portion. Occasionally the intermediate portion is incorporated into the top of the lens, with the reading portion at the bottom of the lens and the distance area in the centre. This may be useful for viewing overhead panels.
Occasionally, a pilot may use a flip-up type frame. This would have a hinge at the top part of the glasses front with a second set of lenses that can be swung down in front of the eyes when required. Here, a bifocal distance/intermediate lens can be put into the main part of the frame with an intermediate prescription in the hinged portion. When lowered, the correction would change from distance/intermediate to intermediate/near.


Source; CAA

Guidance for Pilots/ATCOs Requiring Glasses for Reading | Medical | Personal Licences and Training (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=9245)


Further details for sunglasses (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=9244) & Spectacle Frame and Lens Choice (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=9247)


Vision | Medical | Personal Licences and Training (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=68&gid=1250)

[Reely340]

OP was asking about glasses.

:ouch:OMG, sorry my bad, was too carried away spreading my contact lens related findings.:}

[bvgs]

Thank you all for your info, I can now go for my medical without worrying....well about my eyesight anyway ;) Old age doesn't come alone eh?

Thanks

[TexanHawk]

Old age doesn't come alone eh?

Amen brother. The only thing about getting older that has truly bothered me is my vision. You can have my hair.. falling out of my head and growing out of my ears. I'll take the aches and pains, etc.

If only my :mad: eyes were 20 y/o again.

[muffin]

I have passed the medical wearing varifocals for many years now. In fact it is the only way to do it as you can hardly change glasses with one hand between map reading and gazing into the distance. Mind you, I never wear the things when hovering or landing as they make the ground seem a lot nearer than it actually is and just as you think you are down you relax on the controls and drop the last few inches with a mighty thud.

[India Four Two]

If only my :mad: eyes were 20 y/o again.

TH, wait another 15 years or so and it won't just be your eyes that you wish were 20 y/o again! ;)

[TexanHawk]

TH, wait another 15 years or so and it won't just be your eyes that you wish were 20 y/o again!

My wife can't wait for me to slow down. She complains now that I still act like I'm 20. :ok: