Interocular Lens

[Gorgeous]

I hope someone can offer some advice to this newbie.... .. .I recently sustained an injury to one eye which has, thankfully, only rendered it long-sighted (correctably) compared to the other perfect one.. .. .However, the injury has also resulted in a strong likelihood of my developing a cataract in the eye in the next 10 years. This is bad enough as I'm under 30, but I'm also training for my PPL!. .. .Does anyone have any knowledge of or any info on the regulations regarding flying with an interocular lens (the man-made correcting lens that replaces the opaque original one) in an eye?. .. .Many thanks

[mike_beresford]

Hi. .. .I think the regulations would vary from country to country, and from case to case. It seems to be a bit like Laser surgery - the authorities will always have some doubts.. .. .In my case, I'm in South Africa. Last year I had intra-ocular lenses inserted in both eyes as an alternative to Lasik surgery. I started flying training in October, and managed to persuade the local authorities to grant me a Class II medical. At the time the doctor did warn me that they would be unlikely to grant me a Class I medical, and that even if they did some aviation employers might regard the lenses as a negative factor. I'm actually about to apply for a Class I medical (no harm in trying), so I might be able to give some feedback in the near future.. .. .The concern about intra-ocular lenses seems twofold:. .1. They are relatively new, and the long term effects have yet to be assessed. It has been suggested to me that the insertions may make me more prone to cataracts in the long run, necessitating the removal of the natural lens altogether. .2. As with Lasik, there are doubts about the strength of the eyeball after the operation. As far as I could determine, there is no evidence on the effect of a sudden decompression on the corneal flap.. .. .On the positive side I can tell you that I am skydiving and scuba diving, and have experienced no problems with the lenses. On my first skydive after the operation (about 6 weeks), I had a seriously hard opening - walked around with a sore back and neck for two days - but there was no effect on the lenses. . .. .Hope this helps.. .Regards. .Mike

[subsonic85]

Gorgeous. .As MB indicated,the aviation medical authorities in each country would have to be consulated on how they view the subject of intraocular implants.. .I had the implants inserted in both eyes about 10 years ago after developing cataracts when in my early 40's. The Australian authorities had no problems renewing my First Class medical and it remains current to this day. With me the operation actually improved my vision giving me 20/20 uncorrected and there has been no noticable changes since. I also passed the American FAA First Class medical with this condition but with a waiver on it. It doesn't seem to be too much of a problem provided you can meet their eyesight test corrected or uncorrected as I continue to fly international RPT.. .Hope this is of some help to you. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" />

[Gorgeous]

Thanks for the responses, chaps - I know this isn't a black & white issue and I'm probably just looking for a bit of positive encouragement before calling the CAA medical advisors.. .. .Feeling more positive about it that before - cheers.. .. .Gorgeous