Class 1 Astigmatism ?
Class 1 Astigmatism ?
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: United Kingdom
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Class one medical requirements include that astigmatism must be less than two dioptres.
There is a proposal to change this to three for renewals, but to keep the requirement for the initial medical at two.
There is a proposal to change this to three for renewals, but to keep the requirement for the initial medical at two.
Join Date: Apr 2000
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bobup
I have exactly the same problem as you, mate ie our level of astigmatism exceeds the JAA Class 1 maximum.
You should refer to the CAA website to check the current visual requirements for the issue of a JAA Class 1. www.caa.co.uk Go to the medical department which is part of flight crew licensing. From memory, I don't think that laser correction is allowable for astigmatism or long sightedness at the moment because it is relatively new technology and the long term results are still unknown. Laser correction for short sight is allowable however and this technology has been around for a lot longer.
I have found the CAA very helpful indeed if you phone their medical department. The man you will probably speak to regarding eye problems is their optamologist, Adrian Chorley. Do a search on this forum and you should find more details about visual problems, and you can find their phone number on the CAA website.
Hope this helps.
UK
I have exactly the same problem as you, mate ie our level of astigmatism exceeds the JAA Class 1 maximum.
You should refer to the CAA website to check the current visual requirements for the issue of a JAA Class 1. www.caa.co.uk Go to the medical department which is part of flight crew licensing. From memory, I don't think that laser correction is allowable for astigmatism or long sightedness at the moment because it is relatively new technology and the long term results are still unknown. Laser correction for short sight is allowable however and this technology has been around for a lot longer.
I have found the CAA very helpful indeed if you phone their medical department. The man you will probably speak to regarding eye problems is their optamologist, Adrian Chorley. Do a search on this forum and you should find more details about visual problems, and you can find their phone number on the CAA website.
Hope this helps.
UK
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Join Date: Nov 2001
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Thanks uk
Tried calling Adrian Chorley but he’s not in until next week. Just read the “Visual Requirements for Aviation Europe, USA, South Africa and Australia “ on avasp.com and I note that there is no such requirements regarding astigmatism for a Class 1 FAA medical. Hummm
Could someone please confirm for me that if I have a Sphere error of +1.25 and a cylindrical error of - 1.75 my overall error is –3 and not –0.5
Thanks
Tried calling Adrian Chorley but he’s not in until next week. Just read the “Visual Requirements for Aviation Europe, USA, South Africa and Australia “ on avasp.com and I note that there is no such requirements regarding astigmatism for a Class 1 FAA medical. Hummm
Could someone please confirm for me that if I have a Sphere error of +1.25 and a cylindrical error of - 1.75 my overall error is –3 and not –0.5
Thanks
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Astigmatism, as well as most visual problems, are confusing and threatening to most pilots.
The International Standards specify a value for the astigmatism - if it is greater than 2.00 (diopters is the unit of measure)there may be a restriction, however, it should not eliminate the possibility of your acquiring a Class I medical.
In the U.S. there is no specification for refractive error - it is simply stated in terms of resultant visual acuity "20/20 with or without corrective lenses". (This would translate to 6/6 on international eye charts). Further, it is possible to pursue a waiver for monocular vision (loss of vision in one eye) and to obtain a First Class Medical.
A key difference that I see in my office is pilots and candidates with "Color Confusion" who cannot pass the color plates test. The FAA permits "alternative" tests to be administered and if you are able to pass such a test, it is possible to document the results in a way that makes the pilot eligible for a "letter of competency" - if it is awarded by the FAA the color vision testing is waived on all future medicals.
So, if there is astigmatism in your prescription (90% of the population has it, so you are in good company) the prescription will read something like +1.00(sphere power)-2.00 ("cylinder" or astigmatism correction) and an axis ("X" which places the astigmatism correction in the proper orientation). So it looks like this:-1.00 -2.00X90.
I hope these hints help.
Best Wishes,
Doc Monaco
Aviation Vision Specialist
The International Standards specify a value for the astigmatism - if it is greater than 2.00 (diopters is the unit of measure)there may be a restriction, however, it should not eliminate the possibility of your acquiring a Class I medical.
In the U.S. there is no specification for refractive error - it is simply stated in terms of resultant visual acuity "20/20 with or without corrective lenses". (This would translate to 6/6 on international eye charts). Further, it is possible to pursue a waiver for monocular vision (loss of vision in one eye) and to obtain a First Class Medical.
A key difference that I see in my office is pilots and candidates with "Color Confusion" who cannot pass the color plates test. The FAA permits "alternative" tests to be administered and if you are able to pass such a test, it is possible to document the results in a way that makes the pilot eligible for a "letter of competency" - if it is awarded by the FAA the color vision testing is waived on all future medicals.
So, if there is astigmatism in your prescription (90% of the population has it, so you are in good company) the prescription will read something like +1.00(sphere power)-2.00 ("cylinder" or astigmatism correction) and an axis ("X" which places the astigmatism correction in the proper orientation). So it looks like this:-1.00 -2.00X90.
I hope these hints help.
Best Wishes,
Doc Monaco
Aviation Vision Specialist
