Failed Class1 due to eye muscle problem!
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
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From: EU
Failed Class1 due to eye muscle problem!
Hello,
A few weeks ago I went to Gatwick in order to obtain my Class 1 Medical. But unfortunately I failed!
The optometrist told me that there is some kind of eye muscle problem…I was shocked because in my whole life I’ve never noticed anything wrong! And because I was so nervous I forgot even to ask him if it is a serious problem and if there is a hope!
However he suggested I could visit a consultant for further examination. I have no idea if this re-examination can help me pass the medical...
Although I’m short sighted and near the limits I was certain that I could pass the eye examination.
I was about to begin my training and now I’m left with no options...
If anyone was in a similar position and can offer me any advice please do so, I’m desperate and don’t know what to expect…
Thanks in advance…
TB
A few weeks ago I went to Gatwick in order to obtain my Class 1 Medical. But unfortunately I failed!
The optometrist told me that there is some kind of eye muscle problem…I was shocked because in my whole life I’ve never noticed anything wrong! And because I was so nervous I forgot even to ask him if it is a serious problem and if there is a hope!
However he suggested I could visit a consultant for further examination. I have no idea if this re-examination can help me pass the medical...
Although I’m short sighted and near the limits I was certain that I could pass the eye examination.
I was about to begin my training and now I’m left with no options...
If anyone was in a similar position and can offer me any advice please do so, I’m desperate and don’t know what to expect…
Thanks in advance…
TB
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Brighton
Hi TB10
It could be a squint problem - this is when the a weakened eye muscle causes crossed eyes meaning that when the Optometrist does his checks the measurements for dioptres of esophoria and exophoria are outside the limits.
They can be flexible on this however, in my case, I was quadruple the limits but the Optometrist adjudged that it would not cause any loss of peripheral vision or double vision (diplopia). Hence I could geta class 1 only that my long signthedness is outside limits!! GRR - am working on that one though. I was aware I had a squint as I had surgery when I was a kid.
A mate of mine had a similar experience to you, went for the class 1 and failed whena squint was discovered, he never knew about it. Because the Optometrist mentioned a specialist i would say you should pursue it.
I'm trying the Bates method to bring down my prescription but it also claims to be able to sort out crossed eyes. Do a search on bates, squints and eye muscle on this forum and it may help you. I recommend calling the CAA medical centre and aking them to fax or post you the optometrist report as it will outline how you failed.
Sorry to hear about your news, dont lose hope though.
Cheers
It could be a squint problem - this is when the a weakened eye muscle causes crossed eyes meaning that when the Optometrist does his checks the measurements for dioptres of esophoria and exophoria are outside the limits.
They can be flexible on this however, in my case, I was quadruple the limits but the Optometrist adjudged that it would not cause any loss of peripheral vision or double vision (diplopia). Hence I could geta class 1 only that my long signthedness is outside limits!! GRR - am working on that one though. I was aware I had a squint as I had surgery when I was a kid.
A mate of mine had a similar experience to you, went for the class 1 and failed whena squint was discovered, he never knew about it. Because the Optometrist mentioned a specialist i would say you should pursue it.
I'm trying the Bates method to bring down my prescription but it also claims to be able to sort out crossed eyes. Do a search on bates, squints and eye muscle on this forum and it may help you. I recommend calling the CAA medical centre and aking them to fax or post you the optometrist report as it will outline how you failed.
Sorry to hear about your news, dont lose hope though.
Cheers
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: EU
Hello Irishwingz,
First of all thanks for your help!
To be honest I have no idea what double vision is. But after reading some posts I now believe that diplopia can occur during some not so "usual” angles. I mean when looking up and right, up&left, left etc, extreme angles that can almost cause pain to your eye. Is that true?
I still have a hope because I believe that if it is a serious problem the optometrist would just informed me that I failed without telling me to come back for another examination. If I remember correctly he told me that this consultant is an eye muscle specialist or something like that.
I have a PPL the last 4 years. But I’m not so sure if it can help, because Class B Medical examination is completely different and of course easier.
I just hope to pass…
And good luck to you too, maybe I should try the Bates method too…
Cheers
TB
First of all thanks for your help!
To be honest I have no idea what double vision is. But after reading some posts I now believe that diplopia can occur during some not so "usual” angles. I mean when looking up and right, up&left, left etc, extreme angles that can almost cause pain to your eye. Is that true?
I still have a hope because I believe that if it is a serious problem the optometrist would just informed me that I failed without telling me to come back for another examination. If I remember correctly he told me that this consultant is an eye muscle specialist or something like that.
I have a PPL the last 4 years. But I’m not so sure if it can help, because Class B Medical examination is completely different and of course easier.
I just hope to pass…
And good luck to you too, maybe I should try the Bates method too…
Cheers
TB
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: England
Hello!
I had the same problem a couple of years ago. Definately visit the specialist and see what he has to say. As far as i know, the intial inspection, if outside of limits, has to be failed. But on this, the specialist can overide this decision, and that will be based on various things. Honestly, dont loose hope and visit the specialist. The one i saw was a very nice guy and did overide the initial decision.
Good luck
I had the same problem a couple of years ago. Definately visit the specialist and see what he has to say. As far as i know, the intial inspection, if outside of limits, has to be failed. But on this, the specialist can overide this decision, and that will be based on various things. Honestly, dont loose hope and visit the specialist. The one i saw was a very nice guy and did overide the initial decision.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
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From: EU
Hello Baron!
After reading your post I felt much better! I think this is the worse period of my life…
There is still hope if I don’t suffer from double vision. But unfortunately I don’t know if I do. In normal eye angles I certainly don’t! I was wondering though…If I had double vision the optometrist in Gatwick would just informed me that I failed without mentioning the consultant for further examination…right???i really hope the answer to be "yes"..
Can you remember in what other various things specialist based in order to override the previous decision?
Thank you all for your help!
TB
After reading your post I felt much better! I think this is the worse period of my life…
There is still hope if I don’t suffer from double vision. But unfortunately I don’t know if I do. In normal eye angles I certainly don’t! I was wondering though…If I had double vision the optometrist in Gatwick would just informed me that I failed without mentioning the consultant for further examination…right???i really hope the answer to be "yes"..
Can you remember in what other various things specialist based in order to override the previous decision?
Thank you all for your help!
TB
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: UK
Most people have an imbalance of their eye movement muscles. Luckily the brain keeps your eyes pointing the same direction - so no double vision. Such imbalance can be easily measured using tests which dissociate the images to either eye. Test results can be highly variable and affected by testing technique, use of glassses, subject alertness etc. etc.
You need to see an Orthoptist - a health professional with an interest in eye movements. Nearly all local hospital eye depatment have one - your GP can refer. Take with you a copy of the CAA exam results, your glasses prescription (from your Optician) plus JAR Class 1 vis regs.
The test results can be checked and if still outside limits exercises to improve your "muscle control" will hopefully resolve the issue.
Good luck
SL
You need to see an Orthoptist - a health professional with an interest in eye movements. Nearly all local hospital eye depatment have one - your GP can refer. Take with you a copy of the CAA exam results, your glasses prescription (from your Optician) plus JAR Class 1 vis regs.
The test results can be checked and if still outside limits exercises to improve your "muscle control" will hopefully resolve the issue.
Good luck
SL
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: EU
Hello 7120,
Thank you very much for your reply! It was very helpful!
I’m going to an optometrist next week....
But I have one final question though....
I did some exercises by myself and I noticed one thing.
When I’m trying to focus on my finger (about 30-40 cm away) at the top left corner of my eye I can see my finger double. It happens only when I can barely see my finger with my right eye before my nose covers it and only when its up and left.When I cover the right eye the double idol simply disappears...
Is it double vision or is it completely normal?
It’s very tough to look at this direction as it can cause pain to my eyes. Its not very normal to look at these “extreme” directions..
Once again thanks for your help!
Cheers
TB
Thank you very much for your reply! It was very helpful!
I’m going to an optometrist next week....
But I have one final question though....
I did some exercises by myself and I noticed one thing.
When I’m trying to focus on my finger (about 30-40 cm away) at the top left corner of my eye I can see my finger double. It happens only when I can barely see my finger with my right eye before my nose covers it and only when its up and left.When I cover the right eye the double idol simply disappears...
Is it double vision or is it completely normal?
It’s very tough to look at this direction as it can cause pain to my eyes. Its not very normal to look at these “extreme” directions..
Once again thanks for your help!
Cheers
TB
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Wales, U.K.
Hi - if it helps, I just did what you said in relation to looking out of the top left corner of your eye at your finger etc.... My eyes are perfectly fine and it DOES "hurt" when I do that... Not sure about the double finger thing though!!
Chris
Chris
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 210
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From: Brighton
Double vision
TB10
When Dr Chorley was doing tests on me for double vision he got a pen light torch and moved it all around my head testing all fields of vision and kept asking me how many lights did I see - I remember this went on for about 5 mins and thankfully i only ever saw one....I remember I kept saying "one', "one' etc. Seeing your finger twice is not good I'm afraid. I cant be sure so you SHOULD see the sprecialist. Stop the agony and book the appointment. Let us know.
Muscle excercises may be the way to go, as i said previously i am trying the to get my presecription down.
Good luck mate, and keep at it!!!
When Dr Chorley was doing tests on me for double vision he got a pen light torch and moved it all around my head testing all fields of vision and kept asking me how many lights did I see - I remember this went on for about 5 mins and thankfully i only ever saw one....I remember I kept saying "one', "one' etc. Seeing your finger twice is not good I'm afraid. I cant be sure so you SHOULD see the sprecialist. Stop the agony and book the appointment. Let us know.
Muscle excercises may be the way to go, as i said previously i am trying the to get my presecription down.
Good luck mate, and keep at it!!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20
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From: Rain, hedges, fields, merry old England
I have a horrible feeling that thats how I'm going to fail my Class1 (If and when I take it). I have eye muscle weakness, although the opthingy person said I didn't need exercises or anything. IS it possible to correct eye muscle weakness?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: EU
Hello Irish,
I’ve already booked an appointment, the day I failed!
I just returned from an eye examination with my optometrist.
He performed all the usual exams. And almost everything included in Class 1 eye examination.
After all these exams, the results: I have “exo phoria” but within the limits published in CAA’s website. He informed me that most people have this problem especially if short sighted! Fortunately, he did not discover any diplopia (Double Vision).
I asked him if it is normal seeing double in extreme “angles”, where the pain in the eye begins. And he replied that it’s normal and its not double vision.
I was wondering though. If I’m within the limits, why the optometrist in Gatwick told me to come again?! I can’t find an answer to that question!
Thank you all for your help and I’ll keep you posted. In about 1 ½ weeks I’ll have the Class 1 re-examination results…
TB
P.S
Dead-Heading,
7120 replied that there are exercises that can improve your “muscle control”.
I asked my optometrist the same question today. If I remember correctly he told me that there are several exercises that can strengthen your eye muscles. On Monday I have to go to my optometrist again. I’ll ask him again for more information regarding your issue.
Cheers!
I’ve already booked an appointment, the day I failed!
I just returned from an eye examination with my optometrist.
He performed all the usual exams. And almost everything included in Class 1 eye examination.
After all these exams, the results: I have “exo phoria” but within the limits published in CAA’s website. He informed me that most people have this problem especially if short sighted! Fortunately, he did not discover any diplopia (Double Vision).
I asked him if it is normal seeing double in extreme “angles”, where the pain in the eye begins. And he replied that it’s normal and its not double vision.
I was wondering though. If I’m within the limits, why the optometrist in Gatwick told me to come again?! I can’t find an answer to that question!
Thank you all for your help and I’ll keep you posted. In about 1 ½ weeks I’ll have the Class 1 re-examination results…
TB
P.S
Dead-Heading,
7120 replied that there are exercises that can improve your “muscle control”.
I asked my optometrist the same question today. If I remember correctly he told me that there are several exercises that can strengthen your eye muscles. On Monday I have to go to my optometrist again. I’ll ask him again for more information regarding your issue.
Cheers!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Brighton
TB10 - Good news eh??!! Fingers crossed for you.
Maybe you can return the favour by asking your optometrist whats the story with bringing your prescription down by using eye excercises I'd be interested to know his opinion - particularly for long sightedness.
Cheers mate
Maybe you can return the favour by asking your optometrist whats the story with bringing your prescription down by using eye excercises I'd be interested to know his opinion - particularly for long sightedness.
Cheers mate
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: EU
Hello!
Actually its exo-phoria.Most people on earth have this problem.Usually its not something serious but some times it is.
Btw i passed
Irish,i asked my optometrist if its possible to get the prescription down via the "natural way".I told him that you have +5,75.Unfortunately he replied that "+" means many things."-"
means only one thing : Short Sightness.Myopia plus (or) Astigmatism.So he couldnt help me.However he told me that there are some excersises that can help.But if you tell me what your problem is i can ask him again if you want!
Cheers!
TB10
Actually its exo-phoria.Most people on earth have this problem.Usually its not something serious but some times it is.
Btw i passed
Irish,i asked my optometrist if its possible to get the prescription down via the "natural way".I told him that you have +5,75.Unfortunately he replied that "+" means many things."-"
means only one thing : Short Sightness.Myopia plus (or) Astigmatism.So he couldnt help me.However he told me that there are some excersises that can help.But if you tell me what your problem is i can ask him again if you want!
Cheers!
TB10
