Eye infection

[GgW]

I have a eye infection currently and went to see a eye specialist, she have given me 3 diffirent types of eye drops to use. Which are really doing a good job, the only down side about them, my pupil looks massive compared to my other eye ( I looks like a car with its one headlight on bright and the other on dim). Even with the infection my vision is still better than 20/20 ) . My question is , Must I open a can of worms and let the CAA knows about this as it is only temporary. I am not flying at the moment.

[Blinkz]

I think the 21 day rule still applies. If you have the infection for over 21 days then you have to inform the CAA, otherwise you don't have too.

[Bob the Doc]

You should definitely not fly until you are off the drops that affect the pupil size of the eye as it also affects the ability of the eye to compensate for distance of an object (accommodation). This is a major issue if you switch from looking out the cockpit to looking in at the instruments. If the CAA require notification of any infection over 3 weeks then you have to tell them but I doubt it will be a problem long term as long as your sight returns to normal.

Get well soon!

[TwinJock]

What type of virus was it? I lost my medical for 4 months due to Adeno virus and a secondary bacterial infection that caused an ulcus and scar tissue in the cornea. Have lost about 40% vision in the one eye due to this. At night, with the pupil open, my vision is perfect, but during bright sunshine, I have difficulty seeing with the eye. Good luck and be sure that whatever is thrown into your eyes, is prescribed by and MD. Self medication when it comes to eyes is a BIG NO!!!

[GgW]

Thanks for all your replies, and no BOB the DOC I am not flying at the moment,( Would be a stupid thing to to do ) BUT unless I get offered a job.

[7120]

Can you post the names of the drops?

[GgW]

7120
1. Mydrilate (cyclopentolate hydrochloried 1% )
2. Pred FORTE
3. Betnesol Eye Ointment

[7120]

Its not an infection - it's inflammation in the front part of the eye. Most likely no underlying cause beyond bad luck. Shouldn't have any impact on your flying but perhaps best to get the precise name of the condition from your consultant if the CAA want more info.

[GgW]

7120
Thanks for your advise , always thought that a infection and inflammation is the same thing, but than again I am not a GP, ( which I think you are) ,because it is in the front part of the eye, Consultant said that if it happends again she will start to investigate. I am only for one week on the Mydrilate , and cannot wait for that to end, nasty stuff, burns the hell out of me for about half a minute .

[Blues&twos]

Mydrilate is what's causing your large pupil (it's an anti muscarinic), pred forte is an anti-inflammatory (corticosteriod) eye drop (long term use of this MAY increase intra-ocular pressure which you doctor will keep a check on), betnesol you probably put in at night before you go to sleep and can't administer the Pred Forte drops - it's also a corticosteroid, but also contains neomycin - an antibacterial agent - to prevent or help reduce secondary bacterial infection.

The Mydrilate will only be administered so the doctor can have a much better view of the internal workings of your eye when you're examined on the slit lamp..

I was also on all three of these over Christmas and have had them in the past. The Mydrilate in my case had a much longer term impact than expected - one single drop caused my pupil to remain dilated for over 60 hours...apparently this extended effect is more common in people like me with blue eyes! Completely prevented me from driving for about five days, but the PredForte really did the business.

Hope you get better soon, I know how miserable it is!

[eyedoc]

Temporarily unfit

You need to inform the CAA, who will make you temporarily unfit and advise you not to fly until you recover fully. It is unlikely you will want to fly at present as i expect given your history you will probably be light sensitive. You then need to send in a report to the CAA from your treating consultant to state that you have recovered fully, you are off treatment etc and that your vision is within the standards for your class of license.

[Bob the Doc]

Inflammation is swelling. Infection involves bugs causing the problem. Infection is usually associated with inflammation. The converse is not necessarily true.

Example - Arthritis is inflmmation of a joint. It is not an infection. Septic arthritis is infection of the joint and is caused by a micro-organism

[slim_slag]

Calor, dolor, rubor, tumor, and for the clever clogs, functio laesa