littlehobo75

Severe myopia can be a risk for retinal detachment, in younger people, i.e. early 20's and under. Even if this was a consideration I can't see why it would be relevant, detachment does not always lead to blindness, if caught in time it can be treated. Also, you would need to make playing contact sports a precluding factor!

Also, if conditions that could lead to costly absences were a deciding factor and not just safety, the medicals would need to take into account risk factors like race, gender and lifestyle, which rightly they don't!

AMEandPPL

. . . . . . . . . . still hasn't been answered.


Agree that if caught in time can be treated. But timescale is often pretty quick, not days or weeks. Might be in minutes or hours - retinal detachment is an emergency when it happens.
What if it occurs in a pilot ? In mid-flight ?
We are back to the calculation of probabilities. The probability of retinal detachment is MUCH greater in one who starts out as a high myope.

Mohit_C

Regarding my previous question of, in case of passing over the vision limits (+5 / -8 dioptres) once you're established in an airline, what could be the possible limitation that you have on your medical / licence?

For instance, as was quoted a OML if the person has a high BP.

Ollie247

Good evening one and all!

Just wanted to pose a quick question.

If you have had Laser surgery (within limits) and go and apply for a CAA class 1 I believe you have to supply a report after the surgery.

I was just wondering if anyone has gone through this process and still has a copy of one of these reports that I may take a little look at??

Just wanting to see what information the CAA needs to see etc.

I can promise extreem confidentiality with regards to this, it would just be from a purely personal point of view.

Please feel free to PM me if this would be better.

Thanks in advance,

Ollie

NurseToPilot

why dont you just ask the CAA what they want to know.

Basically with mine all they needed was for my surgeon to confirm that I had "un complicated laser refractive surgery" and what procedure was used and what my post op prescription was.

JON

Ollie247

Thank you fpr the reply Jon,

Just wondering how long ago did you have your op?

Ollie

NurseToPilot

March 14th 2008! And wrote to CAA 2 months afterwards - to which they replied they won't see me until 3 months had passed and that they would like me to arrange a visit around 3 months post operatively asking for EYES first as well as ensuring my visit was on the same day as the Consultant Visiting Ophthalmologist was on site in case i needed an extra examination (at £100 more!!)

Luckily for me my operation was so successful that my vision is now as near to perfect as it can get therefore I passed all tests and did not need to see the ophthalmologist consultant

Hope this helps

JON

Ollie247

Thanks very much indeed for you time JON.

Every little bit of info I get is really useful to me.

Ollie

tigermagicjohn

Having had a Lasik 3 years ago, pre op was +5.75 and +4, I now have perfect vision.

I was aware 0,75 outside the limit on my left eye would be a problem. And today told me that I was classified unfit for class 1 medical because of my pre op condition.

These was the JAR rules, and now exceptions possible! Accept one option.
Gain a commerical license in another country who is not member of JAR, Australia or USA, and they will 99% issue a class 1 medical.

I do qualify for FAA class 1 medical, so would mean first doing FAA IR and Commerical license, then return UK and get a class 1 medical.

However I it is amazing to see the logic of this, unfit - but also fit! I have to say this is very disapointing and makes you wonder, what is the risk of going me or others in my situation a class 1 medical, so I could do the training here in the UK in my own pace.

eject

JAR preop limit is -6.

Ollie247

I believe that the Initial Limits are +5 and -6!

Sorry to hear that you cant pass the medical think I might be in the same boat too.

Good Luck for the future,

Ollie

tigermagicjohn

Well as the CAA told me today, if you get FAA class 1 medical, and FAA commerical license, then there might be a way.

I will anyway make a formal letter to them to get this information in writing.

For me the requirement of pre op conditions seems to completly nonsense, specially when they will possibly give a class 1 license after flying commerical in other countries.

I dont know your details oll, but I would say dont give up, where there is a will there is a way. Also going to US might end up cheaper in the end even after converting licenses, simply because the hour building is much cheaper there.

Ollie247

As you quite rightly say, dont stop the dream!

Keep you chin up, I'm sure by hook or by crook we'll get there.

Ollie

AMEandPPL

We AME's in the UK have just been sent this latest update today. There are no concrete changes just yet, but it gives a hint of how the way forward is being projected . . . . . . See last paragraph in this :

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med_ColourVision.pdf

Neo_RS14

Thanks for posting that up AMEandPPL

I can only echo what Shunter has said. Demonstration of abillity is the way we need to go, not into yet more academics! ...Especially seeing as the practical approach has been succesful in other parts of the globe.

It really is harsh, because the scientifically constructed tests, manipulating the wavelengths of light etc etc...different hues etc etc....probably nail 75% of us to the wall....however in reality, with a practical test, I am certain that we'd be looking at 75-85% of CVD's passing, not walking out the door with their hopes and dreams destroyed.

Bips

I am 39 and pretty new to flying. I absolutely love it and am looking for a PPL but fear my time in sky is numbered, as I have read the CAA vision requirements and my vision is -7.8 and -1 cycl in each eye, which is outside the class 2 as described in their literature.
From reading the extensive vision thread, I understand there is an appeal process for people who are outside the inital requirements but inside the renewal requirements. However, I am outside both requirements and as it stands even if I undergo corrective surgery I will still be outside the requirements.

Are there any other routes to getting a PPL or is this curtains on my dream?

To my understanding, the US based FAA does not have these restrictions.
What if I pass my PPL in the states, how would that then work in the UK?

Or is there a better way of moving forward.

tigermagicjohn

The truth is that I would not be to worried about the PPL, as long as your eyesight is corrected within limits they probably will give you PPL, but you might as well call the medical service and ask them.

But believe renewal limit was -8 ?? Or am i wrong here!

belowradar

Shunter - just to state my position I am now a member of the group challenging the CAA via their internal appeal process. As a group we are well aware of this recent legal precedent and have factored it into our legal planning and strategy.

We are still hoping that CAA / EASA will see that urgent change to regulations is required and take the initiative themselves but if not we have a very solid legal basis to force change via the courts if necessary.

Once again I urge all affected pilots to lodge an appeal via the internal CAA appeals process as a first action.

Bips

The limit is (+5 to) -8 but that includes my -1 cycl so I am actually over by less than a dioptre at -8.8. Thanks for the reply John, however I am not sure while you say I shouldn't worry. Are the rules somewhat relaxed as long as you are close?

I am going to call the Medical Services to see if these limits are soft or if they would make an exception for me. Is there anyone on here that is outside the specified ranges but has a PPL?

tigermagicjohn

I know they are much more relaxed on PPL class 2, but you might as well just give them a call, they should tell you straight out. I believe as long as corrected vision is within limits you should be ok.

You could also got 1 month in USA and get a PPL there, and convert upon return.