sdvetha

Hi guys,

I have astigmatism of -3.75 and -2.75 I can be corrected with glasses but want to know if this is over some kind of a limit even though corrected to 6/6 vision. Also if I was to get laser eye surgery would this make me eligible if I was over a limit with just glasses. I'm in Australia so this would be directed to CASA requirements

thanks for your help in advance!

jetcareerseeker

Your astigmatism shouldn't be a problem. Check the regs through CASA on your error. They don't have issues with eyesight so long as you are correctable to 6/6.

sdvetha

cheers I just wanted to find out bout the astigmatism because I am correctable to 6/6 with glasses but if astigmatism is a problem then I'd need to fork out the cash for laser surgery

sdvetha

WOW!
correct me if I'm wrong but: from this document http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_asset...e/080r0201.pdf

I found this: Professional Flight Crew and ATCs
"For all professional flight crew and ATCs: 6/9, corrected if necessary, in each eye
separately. Additionally, the acuity must be 6/6 or better when tested with both eyes open."

Doesn't that meant you don't even need to be perfect vision corrected??

WELCO

Yes.. & this CASA requirement that you are referring to is similar to the JAA/EASA class 1 requirement.

Good luck!

200KIAS

Im absolutely amazed. 87 pages, 1740 post on vision and people hoping to pass a pilots medical and hardly anyone has realised that EASA rules coming into force this summer will allow most to fly! I cant believe no one other then a couple have mentioned it!!!!!!!! go on the CAA’s website and read the EASA documents on medical.

I honestly cant believe there is not much being said about the news............


Incredible!

Best of luck to all, It looks like things are going to work out for most of you with regards to EASA vision requirements.

ayebmi

Hi guys,

I think I'm finally arriving at the conclusion that, according to the EASA document of December 2011, the laser eye surgery pre-operative maximum prescription of -6.00 will no longer apply once EASA takes over regulation from April 2012, is this correct?

- So EASA will be effectively taking over setting visual standards from the CAA from April?
- You will be able to fly regardless as long as your CORRECTED vision is within standards?
- Laser eye surgery WILL be permited for short sight?

I'd really appreciate some clarification, the CAA seems very murky in clearly outlining these pretty major changes to regulations and responsibility, which seem huge to me! Maybe I've got it all wrong!?

AB

200KIAS

Yes I read it the same way. Even though it says -6 or better can be granted a medical, it also says that if you are a greater diopter then you can be referred to the authority. Its the way I read it anyway.

It loks like its the change everyone has been waiting for...........

strikermacguire

What you're reading is a very broad overview. For the finer details, you need to visit the EASA website and read the Part-Med document released on 15th December 2011

200KIAS

Yes the EASA PART MED 15th Dec is the document you need to read. It looks like its a big change from JAR and one for the better.

ayebmi

That is the document I read and took these basic understandings from, so uncorrected vision doesn't really count any more (if simple short sight) as long as corrected (with contacts or glasses) vision is 20/20?

Ollie247

Good evening all,

As an avid follower of this topic/thread and this forum I have been following the new EASA standards with great interest. Like you all I have been unable to fly due to the genetics of poor eyesight and therefore have been able to gain my much wanted Class 1 certificate.

I have got to admit that I would be really interested to see the link that you have for this document as the document that I have been reading says something slightly different.

So I have been and reading the document and as much as I don't want to be a kill joy to it all but I think you may have been reading the standards for lesser medical certificates than the Class 1 we all crave.

The document is built in 3 parts:

Class 1 first, Class 2 second and then requirements for Cabin Crew last.

As far as I can see the visual standards for a Class 1 medical certificate seem to be very close tithe current JAR standard.

The changes to Class 2 seem to be quite different but I have got to admit that I'm not to bothered about those.

The major change that I think that I have seen is that there does not seem to now be a pre-operative limit for laser or refractive surgery for short sight as there is for long sight. (Myopia etc)

Now please don't get me wrong here, I want my Class 1 as much as the next person on this thread and have been wanting this since I was 5 years old, trust me that is a long time but I just don't want to be getting my hopes up if what I have read is correct.

So after my letter block of words, if anyone would like to correct me as I'm wrong I would be completely delighted for you to do so and to also get in contact with me as I have been an avid researcher of this for a very, very, very long time.

Anyway, good luck to all, let's hope you are all right and I am wrong and very much hope to share the sky's with you all soon.

Thanks

Ollie

Ollie247

And to add to my earlier post here is the direct pull from the document:

AMC1 MED.B.070 Visual system
(a) Eye examination
(1) At each aero-medical revalidation examination, an assessment of the visual fitness should be undertaken and the eyes should be examined with regard to possible pathology.
(2) All abnormal and doubtful cases should be referred to an ophthalmologist. Conditions which indicate ophthalmological examination include, but are not limited to, a substantial decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity, any decrease in best corrected visual acuity and/or the occurrence of eye disease, eye injury, or eye surgery.
(3) Where specialist ophthalmological examinations are required for any significant reason, this should be imposed as a limitation on the medical certificate.
(b) Comprehensive eye examination
A comprehensive eye examination by an eye specialist is required at the initial examination. All abnormal and doubtful cases should be referred to an ophthalmologist. The examination should include:
(1) history;
(2) visual acuities - near, intermediate and distant vision (uncorrected and with best optical correction if needed);
(3) examination of the external eye, anatomy, media (slit lamp) and fundoscopy;
(4) ocular motility;
(5) binocular vision;
(6) colour vision;
(7) visual fields;
(8) tonometry on clinical indication; and
(9) refraction hyperopic initial applicants with a hyperopia of more than +2 dioptres and under the age of 25 should undergo objective refraction in cycloplegia.
(c) Routine eye examination
A routine eye examination may be performed by an AME and should include:
(1) history;
(2) visual acuities - near, intermediate and distant vision (uncorrected and with best optical correction if needed);
(3) examination of the external eye, anatomy, media and fundoscopy;
(4) further examination on clinical indication.
(d) Refractive error
(1) At initial examination an applicant may be assessed as fit with:
hypermetropia not exceeding +5.0 dioptres;(ii) myopia not exceeding –6.0 dioptres;
(iii) astigmatism not exceeding 2.0 dioptres;
(iv) anisometropia not exceeding 2.0 dioptres
provided that optimal correction has been considered and no significant pathology is demonstrated.
(2) Initial applicants who do not meet the requirements in (1)(ii), (iii) and (iv) above should be referred to the licensing authority. A fit assessment may be considered following review by an ophthalmologist.
(3) At revalidation an applicant may be assessed as fit with:
(i) hypermetropia not exceeding +5.0 dioptres;
(ii) myopia exceeding –6.0 dioptres;
(iii) astigmatism exceeding 2.0 dioptres;
(iv) anisometropia exceeding 2.0 dioptres
provided that optimal correction has been considered and no significant pathology is demonstrated.
(4) If anisometropia exceeds 3.0 dioptres, contact lenses should be worn.
(5) If the refractive error is +3.0 to +5.0 or –3.0 to –6.0 dioptres, there is astigmatism or anisometropia of more than 2 dioptres but less than 3 dioptres, a review should be undertaken 5 yearly by an eye specialist.
(6) If the refractive error is greater than –6.0 dioptres, there is more than 3.0 dioptres of astigmatism or anisometropia exceeds 3.0 dioptres, a review should be undertaken 2 yearly by an eye specialist.
(7) In cases (5) and (6) above, the applicant should supply the eye specialist’s report to the AME. The report should be forwarded to the licensing authority as part of the medical examination report. All abnormal and doubtful cases should be referred to an ophthalmologist.
(e) Uncorrected visual acuity
No limits apply to uncorrected visual acuity.
(f) Substandard vision
(1) Applicants with reduced central vision in one eye may be assessed as fit if the binocular visual field is normal and the underlying pathology is acceptable according to ophthalmological assessment. A satisfactory medical flight test and a multi-pilot limitation are required.
(2) An applicant with acquired substandard vision in one eye may be assessed as fit with a multi-pilot limitation if:
(i) the better eye achieves distant visual acuity of 6/6 (1.0), corrected or uncorrected;
(ii) the better eye achieves intermediate visual acuity of N14 and N5 for near;
(iii) in the case of acute loss of vision in one eye, a period of adaptation time has passed from the known point of visual loss, during which the applicant should be assessed as unfit;
(iv) there is no significant ocular pathology; and(v) a medical flight test is satisfactory.
(3) An applicant with a visual field defect may be assessed as fit if the binocular visual field is normal and the underlying pathology is acceptable to the licensing authority.
(g) Keratoconus
Applicants with keratoconus may be assessed as fit if the visual requirements are met with the use of corrective lenses and periodic review is undertaken by an ophthalmologist.
(h) Heterophoria
Applicants with heterophoria (imbalance of the ocular muscles) exceeding:
(1) at 6 metres:
2.0 prism dioptres in hyperphoria, 10.0 prism dioptres in esophoria, 8.0 prism dioptres in exophoria and
(2) at 33 centimetres:
1.0 prism dioptre in hyperphoria, 8.0 prism dioptres in esophoria, 12.0 prism dioptres in exophoria
should be assessed as unfit. The applicant should be reviewed by an ophthalmologist and if the fusional reserves are sufficient to prevent asthenopia and diplopia a fit assessment may be considered.
(i) Eye surgery
The assessment after eye surgery should include an ophthalmological examination.
(1) After refractive surgery, a fit assessment may be considered, provided that:
(i) pre-operative refraction was not greater than +5 dioptres;
(ii) post-operative stability of refraction has been achieved (less than 0.75 dioptres variation diurnally);
(iii) examination of the eye shows no post-operative complications;
(iv) glare sensitivity is within normal standards;
(v) mesopic contrast sensitivity is not impaired;
(vi) review is undertaken by an eye specialist.
(2) Cataract surgery entails unfitness. A fit assessment may be considered after 3 months.
(3) Retinal surgery entails unfitness. A fit assessment may be considered 6 months after successful surgery. A fit assessment may be acceptable earlier after retinal laser therapy. Follow-up may be required.
(4) Glaucoma surgery entails unfitness. A fit assessment may be considered 6 months after successful surgery. Follow-up may be required.(5) For (2), (3) and (4) above, a fit assessment may be considered earlier if recovery is complete.
(j) Correcting lenses
Correcting lenses should permit the licence holder to meet the visual requirements at all distances.
AMC1 MED B.075 Colour vision
(a) At revalidation, colour vision should be tested on clinical indication.
(b) The Ishihara test (24 plate version) is considered passed if the first 15 plates, presented in a random order, are identified without error.
(c) Those failing the Ishihara test should be examined either by:
(1) anomaloscopy (Nagel or equivalent). This test is considered passed if the colour match is trichromatic and the matching range is 4 scale units or less; or by
(2) lantern testing with a Spectrolux, Beynes or Holmes-Wright lantern. This test is considered passed if the applicant passes without error a test with accepted lanterns.

OYPJN

Hello Ollie247

You are right. I too have been following this thread for quite some time. And the new EASA rules, since I have one eye outside the limits of -6!!!

Until December 14, there was no dioptre limit in the proposed changes.

In the new Annex to Decision 2011/015/R, the dioptre limit is back. See page 25 and 26.

The rules was changed at the last minute...

No pre-operative refraction limit for myopia anymore. Thats the good news. I can get a L@sik eye surgery, and should bee able to pass Class 1 Medical when the rules change from JAR-FCL3 to EASA Part-Med.

bairni

Document: http://tinyurl.com/easafcl

Is this the document the Medical Center will refer to when I'll make my Medical Class I after April 2012?

Because this Guidance Material published in December 2011 differs slightly from the EU regulation published in November 2011.

Happy landings

200KIAS

Ive been referring to the latest document dated 15th Dec 2011.

Extract from under Class 1 not class 2. Yes class ONE

(1) At initial examination an applicant may be assessed as fit with:

(ii) myopia not exceeding –6.0 dioptres; "yes this is not a change but the following is"

(2) Initial applicants who do not meet the requirements in (1)(ii), (iii) and (iv) above should be referred to the licensing authority. A fit assessment may be considered following review by an ophthalmologist.

SAS-A321

Don't get too excited. I recall reading something similar back in 2008 and wrote the UK CAA and they said that they could not grant me a class 1 medical. I had -7.25.
I went another way getting an ICAO license and then I was granted a medical under renewal requirements.

Gwynge

Hi all, new to this forum - long term flexwing PPL but looking today at future career options.
Stumbled across this thread whilst looking for Class 1 requirements.

So let me try and understand:
1. CAA/ JAR require maximum of -5 for eyesight without correction (I fail)
2. FAA require 20/20 WITH CORRECTION (I pass)
3. FAA pilots fly in UK airspace

So how does this work? Is the -5 limitation due to safety? In which case how come the FAA licence holders are permitted? Can't be "safety" then. Or clearly not critical. Or put another way - I would be discriminated against due to what I would consider a disability. And because we allow FAA pilots in this would surely be an unfair discrimination wouldn't it?

Have I got this right?

2close

Gwynge,

Yes, it would appear to be disability discrimination within the meaning of a disability under the DDA.

However, the first problem you would have is that, if you took action against the UK CAA in the UK Courts they would try to apply the safety argument, although you could present evidence of FACT that, as the regulators of UK airspace they permit foreign pilots to fly commercially within that airspace whilst denying UK citizens the right to do exactly the same thing. They may have a problem claiming consistency across that argument.

The additional impending problem is that, as of April all previous requirements become EU law and the UK can simply claim that they are applying that law to the letter; subsequently any claim is against EASA (the author of the legislation) and not the CAA.

You can guarantee a protracted legal battle which would cost bonkers amounts of money.

2close

ramseyoptom

I regret to say that my understanding of the Disability Discrimination Act is that it does not extend to a refractive error, ie the need to wear spectacles.

I have noted that in discussing the new requirements the phrase 'no anisometropia of over 2 dioptres' has been overlooked. For information this means if your refractive error (and although I have read the document EASA MED 15 Dec but not throughly) it will possibly determined using spherical equivalent error (mean sphere) and if for example your right eye is -3.00DS and your left is -5.50DS then you will fall outside the limits.