woltgreat

Hi Robbie,

how is your left eye visual acuity WITH correction?
Are you able to get to 20/20 with correction?If so don't worry at all about FAA, you will pass for sure!

As far as concerning the UK, if you get there with an FAA CPL they should extend the examination standard until the renewal ones (no limits for the + and - dioptres) and basically this means that you would be in.

Luca

pplh

Hi

Just wondering what you guys thought. Need to get my CAA class 2 medical done soon and had an eye test a couple of weeks ago. Apparently I am now short sighted by 0.75 dioptres. I haven't got any glasses yet as apparently I am within CAA minimum requirements?
Something is just telling me its worth while getting glasses, even if I only wear them for flying, as in my opinion I am putting myself in a position where my eyes could potentially save my life and so it's best to have the best vision I could possibly have?
I notice a bit of blurring occasionally and its a bit frustrating when identifying aircraft nearby etc, but I don't know whether I'm being over the top wearing glasses if I don't actually 'need' them.

Just wondering what your opinions are?

HeathrowAirport

woltgreat,

Its 20/40 with the left with correction. However I seem to meet CAA standards on that, but not FAA. Ah this is horrible. CAA have less limits on that, while on something I am over they have a limit on, they FAA dont limit Diopters but they limit vissual acuity. God Help me!

Does anyone know what the short term deviation is for? I think I might fall into that category. As it clearly states they cannot not give me a short term deviation.

Regards,

Robbie.

Scott Diamond

Unfortunately Red/Green colourblindess isn't helpful in aviation as they are the crucial colours you need!

pplh

Robbie, I think what woltgreat was trying to say is are you able to get a stronger prescription which will correct your left eye to 20/20?

illusion

Speak to Terry Robinson (sp??) CASA Perth office.

He has a lot of expertise in this area.

crcroberts2

I have been bothered by eye floaters (vitreous floaters) for some time now. As I scan the horizon, looking for dark silhouettes, I see shadows from these floaters flitting about. Anyone else having the same problem. I'm in mid-forties, mildly nearsighted, otherwise healthy. I am ready to do just about anything to get rid of them. I found someone in the US that specializes in treating eye floaters with a laser. It looks legit. There are videos of treatments and you can the the floaters breaking up from the laser.

Does anyone have any experience with these seriously annoying floaters? Know anything about laser treatment?

HEATHROW DIRECTOR

I've had floaters all my life and never found them too annoying, except when I used to shoot long-range target rifle.... then, s*d's law, one would get in the way as I was taking my last shot! Usually they would go away temporarily if I quickly flicked my eyes left to right or up and down.

More serious floaters may be an indication of what I've just had - Posterior Viscous Detachment, where the jelly-like fluid inside your eye becomes detached from the back of your eye. It is not serious, there is no cure and it doesn't affect your vision. Sometimes these floaters persist for a year or more; other times they go quite quickly. The consultant who checked me out (twice) did not think it was a good idea to try and get rid of them other than "naturally". Several months down the road the floaters associated with the PVD have all but gone.

Probably one of the medics on here will be able to offer more help.

pplh

In general floaters aren't a sign of anything else apart from age. The key with floaters is to go and see a specialist if you see a SUDDEN INCREASE in the amount of them and if they are accompanied by FLASHES of light. If you have experienced this, it is worth immediately attending your local opticians, as it can indicate a retinal detachment. This is more serious than a vitreous detachment (which Heathrow Director experienced) and treatment is required.

I have had floaters myself for a while and yes IF you spend all day staring at them and watching them float around, they can drive you absolutely mental! Most optometrists you speak to will tell you to simply get used to them and that is exactly what I have done. You really can learn to ignore them if you are strong minded enough and now they don't bother me at all.

I remember reading more or less what I've just written and thinking, no way, these are going to drive me over the edge, but honestly, you do get used to them, just give it time.

If anyone else had asked about forms of treatment, particularly by laser, I would have advised them to have more of a chat with a specialist and see what they can come up with.
However, judging by the title of your post I understand you are flying and I would ask anyone in this position to have a long hard think about what the consequences could be, should some form of treatment cause issues.

I'm not sure where you are in the world or what form of flying you are undertaking (private, commercial etc) but the majority of aviation authorities have strict preferences when it comes to eye sight and I'm sure the last thing you would want is to lose the ability to fly.

Hope that gives you a bit of guidance!

nannodnai

Actually, HD, it's "Posterior Vitreous Detachment". I know, because I have it too ! A little bit alarming when it first occurs, but usually settles and can be lived with. Most importantly, does not affect basic visual acuity, and most unlikely to change significantly over a short period or suddenly.

Loose rivets

Yes, have it checked out by a surgeon, but don't assume a retinal problem when flashing occurs. It's one of the prime symptoms of PVD.

However, there may or may not be a danger to the retina - depending on which of the suspension points of the vitreous membrane that have become detached. Strangely, there are not many of them, and as said before, one is near the optic nerve/ blood supply entry point.

3 years ago, it was not known what caused the flashing. (UK consultant eye surgeon.) However, this should subside and even the associated muck floating about can clear to a point that will allow good vision.

It is not certain that this will clear. If the membrane is hanging in such a way that it leaves you looking through the encapsulation at some obscure angle, and one of the attachment points has migrated to a critical area, then it is very distressing. Vision can be badly impaired.

Vigorous movements, with associated blood pressure increase, say when really tightening stomach muscles, can cause a sudden worsening of the problem. In my case it was severe, the eye was more or less useless. Mind you, I was hanging upside down at the time.

Remember, there is an escape route. Vitrectomy. This should leave the eye perfectly clear...until a cataract arrives, anyway.

Laser treatment. My decision was NO!!!! Not in a million years.

There is an Essex eye surgeon that had a PVD following a car accident as a lad. He achieved what he did by learning to ignore the floaters.

HEATHROW DIRECTOR

<<Actually, HD, it's "Posterior Vitreous Detachment". I know, because I have it too >>

Of course, you are right! I mised the "Vitreous" bit when the doc told me and thought my bottom had fallen off!

I also had flashing lights when I moved my eyes quickly and they persisted for quite a while. In fact I still see a bit of light when it's totally dark but it's all but gone now. PVD is also (usually?) accompanied by black dots in one's vision but they've also gone. Only problem is the doc told me my other eye will probably suffer too. Good to be old, eh?

SilveR5

Hi there..

My advice is to consult the guys at Gatwick about the possibility of correcting that refractive error of your left eye using non-invasive surgery (Epi-Lasek is the safest one I think).

My condition was 20/40 and +3.25 Diopters with correction of my left lazy eye..the right eye was just fine...both eyes toghether were 20/20...I've done the Epi-Lasek, although the measurements were within acceptable limits for the class 1 medical..Now I believe that the refractive error (diopters) of my lazy left eye is just fractional...!

Don't lose hope buddy...just consult them at Gatwick and then let us know how did things go

Good luck

ChicagoHeights

heterophoria correction....is there anything you can do to maybe exercises...

zagno83

.....Since i have a house in Italy i went in Milan to the IML institute an approved JAR medical center.
I toke it back in 10-2006 i think....

Thanx for any inputs.
Cheers

S_Reyes_V

Good day everyone !


For my first post here at PPRuNe, I am appealing to you from Belgium for your wise experience and knowledge of a subject that really worries me at the highest point : nearsightedness (but rather from the "career" side)

I have a quite important nearsightedness that must be corrected with eye glasses (I have been wearing them for 12 years out of 17 ; their refractive power is now at minus 12D, almost stabilized), still I have been told that I DO have a chance to once get into a cockpit, not in Europe (due to the +/- 3D limit) but in the USA ! I am indeed eligible for a class 1 medical certificate, as far as my vision can get perfectly corrected to 20/20. Moreover, I do not suffer from any other disease, chronic pathology or any other considerable reason that could affect my overall performances while "exercising the privileges of airmen duties".

BUT, here is my question :
Can I expect REAL chances of getting hired at a major or regional US airline with such physical condition after completing the requisite training courses ?

The point is that I have already been told about so many very disappointing rumors concerning today's airlines' discriminative policies towards nearsighted pilots (justifying unfair selection with various explanations, many of them having to do with "safety") that I fail to believe in any successful outcome.

I have also heard about intra-ocular implants (the well-known IOLs) that could get my sight much better (insomuch as I could get an unrestricted Class 1), but again, I am afraid of any negative or reluctant reaction from airlines if they fall upon this surgical intervetion in my medical record.

Subsequently, I wanted to know about a list, a link or anything else that could help me find out which airlines run discriminative policies or refuse to hire nearsighted pilots.

By the way, please feel free to let me know if this representation of "narrow-minded airlines" is inappropriate or inaccurate. (I personally hope it is not a grim reality)


Anyway, even if my expectations are well-founded, I do not plan on moving to the USA from Belgium before having prepared every single part of this dreamed exile (after secondary school, I would like to finish high studies in electronics or airspace engineering as a back-up - we never know, especially in my case ; I also do believe that training English at top-level is crucial - I have already passed the FCE Cambridge Exam with an A grade () anyway, so I think I am on the right track...)
I have no doubt concerning my psychological and mental potential, since I have always been at the edge at school (best student in the whole grade for more than 7 years, A marks EVERYWHERE, really keen on maths and accurate sciences, self-responsible, enthusiastic about Precision with a big P, conscious that Safety with a big S comes first, whatever I do).


Thank you in advance, first for having read this post entirely , and above all, for your answers that will certainly be constructive.


Kind regards,

zacokeeffe

How is the CAD TEST coming along? Is this good news for us folk or is it further bad news? Any updates or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

Donalk

Sebastian - If I read your post correctly you mention a refractive error of minus 12. This is a very large error and while the FAA do not specify a pre correction limit you might want to consult an opthalmologist to find out what is likely to happen to your vision as you grow older.

Whether an airline will discriminate against you because of your myopia is anyone's guess..........In theory they should not, but this is the real world and individual airlines will adopt certain criteria for selection as a matter of course.

Surgical correction is an option but you should discuss the impact on your medical with an FAA AME. Implants I believe are frowned upon whereas laser correction is becoming routine and is not disqualifying. However if you are truly minus 12 then I think you are outside the limits for the laser procedure.

You might also want to consider your chances of getting a visa to work in the US. They are few and far between.

In summary you have plenty of time so carry out some intensive research then examine your findings in a very critical light.

tigermagicjohn

I think your biggest problem with USA is that you will not get work permit there unless you get married there.
However you can work most parts of the world with an FAA license, except JAA registered aircraft.
But I have also heard many airlines have their own medical's, so a FAA class 1 medical is not always sufficent to get a job.
If you want to work other countries you will most likely need to speak the local language in that country - and also be able to obtain work permit in that specific country.

It is not easy, but it is not impossible either - but unless you get married in the USA you will never get work permit there.

S_Reyes_V

I confirm (with bitterness) that my nearsightedness is at minus twelve D (don't worry too much, I've seen worse !).
As I am not very keen on surgery (it is for me an ultimate possibility), I would rather like to get your point of view on airlines' selection criterias for corrected vision with glasses.

Concerning the visas, and as mentioned in my first post, I am not planning on moving to the USA earlier than at least in ten years (I still have to find money for the training courses !) and anyway, nobody really knows how many things can change in a decade, either in the good or the wrong way.

I'm waiting for as many answers as possible. They will all be of great value for me.

Fingers crossed,