Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Ground & Other Ops Forums > Medical & Health
Reload this Page >

VISION THREAD (other than colour vision)

Medical & Health News and debate about medical and health issues as they relate to aircrews and aviation. Any information gleaned from this forum MUST be backed up by consulting your state-registered health professional or AME. Due to advertising legislation in various jurisdictions, endorsements of individual practitioners is not permitted.

VISION THREAD (other than colour vision)

Old 3rd Jul 2008, 19:54
  #981 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: England
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
JAA don't permit such lenses and I can understand why to be honest. They'll get you through the tests, yes. Will they make you safer to fly an aeroplane? No. You're perfectly capable of doing that already; the science and statistics prove that. But hey, when did aviation ever let the facts get in the way of good old discriminatory legislation?
LOL

Well said Shunter.

I do recall reading of someone's account, who'd been overcome by the debilitating approach to mild CVD in their native country, so having dual nationality or something, moved to SA, and had no problem after some persistence. I guess the quoted text posted by Shunter would explain this then. I just don't know why some other parts of the world don't follow suit in light of the success of practical testing elsewhere...I just don't get it
Neo_RS14 is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2008, 00:58
  #982 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Can anyone explain what this vision test is testing ?

During my aviation medical exam every year I am asked to look into a 'binocular' type device, presented are a row of numbers and an arrow above these pointing down.

I am then asked to say which number the arrow is pointing towards.

What, precisely is this test for, or measure, anyone know ?

Oh, and what is it's name ?
stilton is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2008, 07:31
  #983 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Frozen North
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From your description sounds like a 'Maddox wing'?

Science Museum - Home - Maddox wing test instrument, c 1920-1937.
alphamikeecho is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2008, 08:46
  #984 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cheshire
Age: 78
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Smile a museum piece . . . . . . . . .

This is the device to which you are referring :

Science Museum - Home - Maddox wing test instrument, c 1920-1937.

It's called a MADDOX WING (presumably after a Mr or Dr Maddox, but no other information ). I have one here, but it's rarely used nowadays.
I didn't realise, though, that it was old enough to be a museum exhibit !

In simple terms it checks eye-muscle balance. Very few people have two eyes aimed in EXACTLY the same direction at all times. But once the brain realises that the image reaching each eye is nearly the same it can automatically compensate by adjusting the aim so that the two images are fused. Otherwise there would be double-vision (diplopia). If the misalignment of the eyes is severe, then it's visible to others, and is known as a squint (strabismus). This device is intended to pick up degrees of misalignment much less than the obviously visible squint. Misalignment is the horizontal plane is known as exophoria or esophoria, and in the vertical plane is known as hyperphoria.

The way it works is simplicity itself. As explained above, if the images reaching each eye are similar then the brain can fuse them. This device, by the use of the screens between the eyepieces and the far end plate, just gives each eye something completely different to see.
Then the brain will not attempt to fuse them. Thus, if the white arrow is seen to be pointing at the white zero, then the person is orthophoric. If the white arrow is seen to point at the white six, then the person is mildly exophoric.

Very old technology, really !

Hope that helps ! Best wishes.
AMEandPPL is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2008, 18:38
  #985 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Could this instrument test for Vertigo in any way ?
stilton is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2008, 21:36
  #986 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cheshire
Age: 78
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Red face different topic . . . . . . . .

Could this instrument test for vertigo in any way ?
Not really, I'm, afraid ! It's testing the balance of the muscles actually moving the eyes in their sockets.

Vertigo is a SYMPTOM (ie something the patient senses and reports, as against a SIGN which is something that an outsider such as a doctor can elicit independently).

Many lay people know there is an association between the symptom of vertigo and a sign called NYSTAGMUS, in which the eyes flick rapidly back and forth horizontally. But this is usually mediated in the Central Nervous System, not specifically in the eye muscles.

Last edited by AMEandPPL; 4th Jul 2008 at 21:57.
AMEandPPL is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2008, 22:04
  #987 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Thank you for the information.
stilton is offline  
Old 7th Jul 2008, 11:24
  #988 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Stellenbosch south africa
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks

To all who responded to my questions, thanks. I've done the practical test but I'm still waiting for the panels decision. I don't know about else where, but in SA our CAA can seldom be described as quick and efficient... I continue to wait for their response (it's been 4 months already - they said maximum 3) I'll be looking into the alternatives, just to keep myself informed... To everyone out there. . . Goodluck and keep fighting the good fight!
C-Hutch is offline  
Old 7th Jul 2008, 16:52
  #989 (permalink)  
Upto The Buffers
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Leeds/Bradford
Age: 48
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
They were certainly quick and efficient when I validated my license over there to do some flying on holiday! Guess that's a sample of 1 though...

I see you're in Stellenbosch. If you do end up coming over here for some bizarre reason make sure you call in for a case of Le Riche's finest before you jump on that plane and address it to Mr Shunter
Shunter is offline  
Old 8th Jul 2008, 23:55
  #990 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England... what's left of it...
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great result ST
Overdrive is offline  
Old 10th Jul 2008, 19:28
  #991 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Aachen, Germany
Age: 35
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Vision standards - JAR class 1 medical

Hello everyone,

like many people on this forum I intend to pursue a career as an airline pilot.
I have a question regarding the vision standards for the JAR class 1 medical. Although I do not exceed the vision limits, as issued on the homepage of the caa, I am worried because my dioptre values amount to -5 degrees on the right eye and -5.50 degrees on the left eye of short vision. I therefore have -1 degree of astigmatism. With these values I should not consider any problems in obtaining the medical, but I am close to the limit of -6 of short sight and I wonder if there are any airlines out there who set their own limits for flight crew selection. ( Lufthansa for instance sets a limit of -3 degrees for the initial selection of its cadets)
I would be very pleased if there is anyone out there who knows more on that issue and could tell a few words or even mention examples of individual airlines in or outside the UK

Many thanks in advance
Apostel88 is offline  
Old 12th Jul 2008, 22:56
  #992 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't know the exact names of the lanterns I took at Gatwick-but it must have been Beynes and Holmes-wright(I think. I didn't ask at the time as I didn't realise I had a problem until they told me at the end of the testing that I'd failed!)
Yes, the CAA had already put on my licence and medical that I was restricted to daytime flights only. After sending my results from Spiez to the CAA, they sent me back my new licence and medical without restriction.
Good luck at city uni!
ST-EX is offline  
Old 14th Jul 2008, 02:27
  #993 (permalink)  
Upto The Buffers
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Leeds/Bradford
Age: 48
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gatwick only have 2 lanterns: Holmes/Wright and Beynes.
Shunter is offline  
Old 14th Jul 2008, 15:13
  #994 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: farm
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Class 1 medical vision HELP!

Hey all,

I am going to have my class 1 initial soon, i had my eye tested today and the results are, sphere -5.5, cyl + 2.5, Axis 85. I phoned up CAA, they said i am outside their limits, but there are other alternatives and the guy said he may be able to 'squeeze' me in. Just want to know are there any people out there had the same problem and what was the outcome?

Also any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks all
flyingsheep is offline  
Old 14th Jul 2008, 16:00
  #995 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BRISTOL!
Age: 39
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think the perscription values are far more flexable than the actual vision check itself...

What i mean by this is that I am within the limits, however, i cant read the 20/20 or 6/6 line, therefore i fail...

So, just because you can pass on paper, doesnt mean you may actually pass...
planecrazy.eu is offline  
Old 14th Jul 2008, 16:05
  #996 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BRISTOL!
Age: 39
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did it, and failed it...

Too close to the edge, I passed mono-vision, but not binocular vision, just a tad out...

Conclusion was... Ask my optician if its possible to read 20/20 or 6/6 with correction, and try not to exceed diopter limits...

Outcome of that... In progess...
planecrazy.eu is offline  
Old 14th Jul 2008, 16:09
  #997 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BRISTOL!
Age: 39
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I wouldnt have surgery unless its 95% or more sure its going to do the trick...

Aa majority of surgery will improve vision, however, i was told if i had surgery i would "never" be able to see 20/20 with out without correction...

So i am hedging my bets that in the future, there will be a new procidure to correct my condition with better results...

I found that just because it says i can pass on paper, when you get in the test, you can still fail by not reading the required lines correct... Something i am working on as in the optician i can, but maybe nerves get the better of me with the CAA?

I have been told, by a surgery, that i can have surgery to decrease the astigmatism, that could inturn improve my vision enough to pass... Some type of slit it is, but i am not 100% sure how the CAA would view this.
planecrazy.eu is offline  
Old 15th Jul 2008, 15:48
  #998 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bethesda, N. Wales UK
Age: 43
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LASIK - Successful

I know that there is a vision thread however its absolutely huge and talks about everything so has become difficult to find stuff in!

I posted a while back about Lasik surgery to gain class one and almost all responses were "DONT DO IT" as the CAA do not approve.

My Prescription was:

RIGHT EYE
SPH +2.0
CYL -3.75
AXIS 22.5

LEFT EYE
SPH -1.25
CYL -0.25
AXIS 10

Everybody were commenting on the fact that the CAA would not allow me to pass a medical if i went ahead and did the Lasik

I was in a catch 22 situation where by if i did not have it done i would not get a medical based on the Px above and if i DID have it done I might still fail simply because I'd had it done!

When i had originally failed the medical due to the above px i asked about Lasik and was told 'off the record' that I could in theory have the right eye zapped in the hope it would bring me within limits but that was not guarantee that I would get my medical.

I went away depressed and upset that I had failed but tried to be positive that there must be something i could do about it.

I started my research - and in fact researched ALL aspects of laser refractive surgery in depth (took 13 months in all) and finally i decided to do it.

Everything was uncomplcated and successful from the optometrist point of view - now all i had to do was persuade the CAA that it was ok so i booked a medical class 1 appointment 3 months after surgery which was 26th June and nervously attended.

Thankfully and nice of the CAA they did my Class 1 as a RENEWAL as I'd already passed all the other tests last year except for the EYES.....

I was very nervous when the lady was testing my vision - it was the longest half an hour i've ever endured - she said I had PASSED one part of the eye test but due to lasik had to have a contrast sensitivity test as well which i had to wait an hour for the machine to warm up before i completed it.....

I'm pleased to say that i HAVE PASSED MY CLASS 1 MEDICAL and am now the holder of a JAA CLASS 1 CERTIFICATE with NO RESTRICTIONS / DEVIATIONS

MY NEW POST SURGERY PRESCRIPTION IS AS FOLLOWS

RIGHT EYE
SPH +0.00
CYL -0.50
AXIS 90

LEFT EYE
SPH +0.25
CYL +0.00
AXIS 0

And i achieve 6/5 Unaided bilateral on Snellens Chart or 6/6 RIGHT 6/5 LEFT if done individually however nobody would fly one eye closed!!!


I hope other readers find comfort and hope in my experience and contact me if they require further information

I am a NURSE (as my name here suggests) that worked in Ophthalmology prior to going for my medical therefore I've got an "all round" knowledge of eyes as well as my own personal research into REFRACTIVE SURGERY

PLEASE CONTACT ME if you want further advice.

Please note that it will be advice and information ONLY and not an encouragement to have it done. It is entirely up to the individual concerned whether they have it done or not and they must weigh up the pros and cons of all aspects of surgery as all surgery carries risks.

thanks

JONATHAN
NurseToPilot is offline  
Old 16th Jul 2008, 16:25
  #999 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: roma
Age: 41
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Please, I need help....

Hello everybody,
please, anybody can help me to solve my big problem??It's about the Jar-fcl 3 in Switzerland.
I'm a short-sighted person for -5.00 and
astigmatic for 0.25== -5.25.
I booked the first class examination in Switzerland because I readed on this forum somebody get through the exam until -6, like in UK.
Anybody can confirm it me???
I'm very worried and I need your help,PLEASE!
2) Is it possible do not pass the exam only for 0.25??
Thank you very much!!
kewin444 is offline  
Old 17th Jul 2008, 14:04
  #1000 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Birmingham
Age: 40
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
JAR Class 1 visual standards question

Hi guys and girls,

My apologies for this rather lengthy post. I’ve recently been to the opticians and these are my results. The optometrist did explain the results too me but had an old copy of the CAA requirements. About two years ago I was 6/5 in both eyes however I was told I have become a little short sighted, and my vision has deteriorated in my right eye and I am worried this may become a problem for hopefully getting a class 1 in order to get onto an integrated course for which I am due to sit the interview and tests next month. My main concern is how the AME down at Gatwick will view these results, and how he/she will be likely to determine any further deterioration in the future regarding the issuing of a JAA Class 1, although the optometrist did state that he is hoping that it is unlikely to get any worse if at all. The results are as follows and I would appreciate your comments as I am wondering how the AME will see these results.

Unaided:

Right 6/9 -1

Left 6/6 -3

Unaided together overall 6/6 – 1

Aided:

6/5 Both left and Right

Below are the new CAA regulations so that you don’t have to go looking through the CAA website.

Your visual acuity (measured by your ability to see, in this case, lines of letters on a chart at 6 metres) must be at least 6/9 in each eye separately and 6/6 using both eyes together, with or without glasses or contact lenses (correction). If you need correction the refractive error (the amount of correction) must not exceed +5.00 dioptres of long sight or -6.00 dioptres of short sight. This is in the most ametropic meridian (taking into account any astigmatism). Astigmatism must not exceed 2.00 dioptres. The difference in correction between each eye (anisometropia) must not be more than 2.00 dioptres. Your optometrist will be able to explain these terms.

Thank-you very much for your comments.

Docash1983
docash1983 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.