Class 1 eye exam

[crj705]

I am going for the JAA initial class 1 next month in Gatwick and I was wondering what they use for the vision exam. Is it a chart with letters on it or is it the circles with part missing? Is it done on a machine?

Thanks

[shgsaint]

Hi crj705

There are lots and lots of tests they do at Gatwick. In fact I would guess that they test just about everything they can within a 30 minute time frame. These will include:

• Colour vision using Ishihara plates. If you fail that then you will do a lamp test where they flash colour lights at you. Surprisingly I passed the Ishihara plates. I'm usually pretty crap at them!
• Your eyesight using a Snellen chart. The standard chart all opticians will have where the letters decrease in size the further down the board you go.
• Looking at red and green circles and white dots to determine something. (It all looked the same to me)
• Lots of various other aparatus which I don't know the names of.
• Peripheral vision using a a ball on a stick! Yes it's as high tech as that.
• Reading large and small print. You have to say when they get out of focus the closer you put the book to your eyes.
• A head clamp type thing where they look into your eyes.
• I'm sure there was other stuff but I've forgotten most of it.

When I went the Optometrist was a stunning mid 20's blonde lady. I was struggling to keep my eyes off her! Let alone concentrate on what she was testing me on!

Cheers

SHG.

[Mickey Kaye]

Lucky you I got a bloke - although very helpful I might add.

I would suggest visiting a Optometrist before you attended the CAA and take a copy of your spectacle prescription with you (even if you don't wear glasses you will have a prescription).

Any half decent optometrist should have a copy of the CAA visual requirements and will be able to advise you accordingly.