VISION THREAD (other than colour vision) 2
Join Date: Mar 2016
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Astigmatism of -2.5
I have vision within the caa requirements apart from an astigmatism of 2.5 in my left eye.
Apart from this my eyes are in good health and have recently been examined by a specialist.
My question is. Are these these limits set in stone or can they be relaxed with some other testing ?
Also what are the options ?
Many thanks in advance
Apart from this my eyes are in good health and have recently been examined by a specialist.
My question is. Are these these limits set in stone or can they be relaxed with some other testing ?
Also what are the options ?
Many thanks in advance
Join Date: Aug 2004
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"Fortunately I then found an optometrist who works with pilots, and the second round had very good results. Expensive, but worth it."
742
Where abouts did you find this Dr.? I live in the Mid Ohio Valley near Cincinnati.
742
Where abouts did you find this Dr.? I live in the Mid Ohio Valley near Cincinnati.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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The best way to find out where you are in relation to eyesight is to study in detail the CAA's requirements on these pages:
https://www.caa.co.uk/Aeromedical-Ex...e-material-GM/
In the bottom right hand corner of that page is a tool called: SpecCalc when you punch in the number of your correction it will come up with 2 possible answers.
OK Class 1 Renewal/Revalidation
OK Class 1 Initial
If you are OK for Class 1 Initial then your prescription is acceptable; if you are OK Class 1 Renewal/Revalidation then the CAA will have to review your case in detail.
Apart from the prescription required the other important issue is whether your visual acuity is acceptable. The limits are also on that CAA page but for brevity I have copied and pasted them down here:
If you don't meet the visual acuity it is very very unlikely that you will be able to get a Class 1 Medical Certificate.
https://www.caa.co.uk/Aeromedical-Ex...e-material-GM/
In the bottom right hand corner of that page is a tool called: SpecCalc when you punch in the number of your correction it will come up with 2 possible answers.
OK Class 1 Renewal/Revalidation
OK Class 1 Initial
If you are OK for Class 1 Initial then your prescription is acceptable; if you are OK Class 1 Renewal/Revalidation then the CAA will have to review your case in detail.
Apart from the prescription required the other important issue is whether your visual acuity is acceptable. The limits are also on that CAA page but for brevity I have copied and pasted them down here:
(c)
Distant visual acuity, with or without correction, shall be:
(1) in the case of class 1 medical certificates, 6/9 (0,7) or better in each eye separately and visual acuity with both eyes shall be 6/6 (1,0) or better;
Distant visual acuity, with or without correction, shall be:
(1) in the case of class 1 medical certificates, 6/9 (0,7) or better in each eye separately and visual acuity with both eyes shall be 6/6 (1,0) or better;
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Harrogate
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Another Chance?
Hello,
I understand this is a very broad question - however without to much detail the CAA Failed me for an initial class 1 medical application a few weeks ago. My Right Eye reaches the standards of 6/12, My Left eye 6/6, and together 6/4. As you can imagine I'm hugely disappointed and this has shattered my dreams from a very young age. I have a PPL and also started my ATPL's so spent a fair bit of money.
What other ways can I become a commercial pilot? FAA Route? Other places within Europe?
Any advice would be appreciated.
I understand this is a very broad question - however without to much detail the CAA Failed me for an initial class 1 medical application a few weeks ago. My Right Eye reaches the standards of 6/12, My Left eye 6/6, and together 6/4. As you can imagine I'm hugely disappointed and this has shattered my dreams from a very young age. I have a PPL and also started my ATPL's so spent a fair bit of money.
What other ways can I become a commercial pilot? FAA Route? Other places within Europe?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Join Date: Feb 2017
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Hi HGT,
"My Right Eye reaches the standards of 6/12, My Left eye 6/6, and together 6/4."
This is with glasses ?
And 6/4 - are you sure?
ICAO requires at least 6/9 each eye (with glasses) and 6/6 or better binocular ((both eyes)with glasses).
Best to ask your eye surgeon if you can achieve that and will you able to maintain that kind of distance vision for the next 20-30 years of your flying career?
If you can't achieve that it's better to look for another career rather than spend a lot money to get trained then become unfit later.
Dreams aside - unless you have money to burn.
"My Right Eye reaches the standards of 6/12, My Left eye 6/6, and together 6/4."
This is with glasses ?
And 6/4 - are you sure?
ICAO requires at least 6/9 each eye (with glasses) and 6/6 or better binocular ((both eyes)with glasses).
Best to ask your eye surgeon if you can achieve that and will you able to maintain that kind of distance vision for the next 20-30 years of your flying career?
If you can't achieve that it's better to look for another career rather than spend a lot money to get trained then become unfit later.
Dreams aside - unless you have money to burn.
HGT
I'm genuinely sad to hear that you didn't get the Class 1 and I hope you can find a "fix" but at the risk of sounding unsympathetic probably the most frequently offered advice to those thinking of starting ATPLs, etc is:
"get your Class 1 before starting training".
You have to be realistic. Having the required acuity of vision isn't a trivial arbitrary hurdle put in place by the authorities to trip you up, it's fundamental requirement to doing the actual job safely ( not your safety so much as the safety of fare paying passengers). I think LookingForAJob put it very well:
.....also started my ATPL's so spent a fair bit of money
"get your Class 1 before starting training".
What other ways can I become a commercial pilot? FAA Route? Other places within Europe?
the medics in the CAA would fall over backwards to try to find a way to enable a licence holder to keep their medical certification. On the other hand, someone who only marginally meets the medical standard at initial application, and particularly if the criterion in question is likely to deteriorate with age, would probably not be granted a medical for a professional licence. I very much doubt that this would be written down or that anyone would admit to it officially but if you think about it objectively it makes some sense - rather than to cause greater disappointment, after great expense to get a licence, by decisively failing a medical check soon after.
Last edited by wiggy; 15th Feb 2017 at 15:01.
Join Date: Feb 2017
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Class 1 Medical astigmatism question
Hi, I was looking at doing my Class 1 Medical at some point in the future but have a question regarding eyesight and astigmatism.
I have -2.25 astigmatism in both eyes. My question is, is it still possible to pass? I do wear glasses/contact lenses to correct this but not sure if this matters as the limit is 2. would this be acceptable if glasses correct this or no?
Thank you
I have -2.25 astigmatism in both eyes. My question is, is it still possible to pass? I do wear glasses/contact lenses to correct this but not sure if this matters as the limit is 2. would this be acceptable if glasses correct this or no?
Thank you
I have been through this on the FAA side and there is a special issuance process via a medical flight test. I don't know if the CAA offer the same, but would be interested to find out.
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The CAA in the past may have been able to offer a Class 1 with an OML which then might have been able to come off on successful completion of the CPL flight test.
This is not possible under EASA regulations.
This is not possible under EASA regulations.
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Blended Laser Vision
Have any current Class One Medical holders had any experience with "Blended Laser Vision" as offered by the London Vision Clinic?
Any information regarding your dealings with the authority, would be appreciated.
Any information regarding your dealings with the authority, would be appreciated.
Last edited by Ice Man; 18th Feb 2017 at 03:37.
Join Date: Jan 2017
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Contact Lens - Class 1 Medical
Hi Guys,
What are the rules regarding contact lenses? I understand the the requirement for spectacles are different? The only information i can find upon the internet and the CAA Website for contact Lenses is that both eye must be 6/6 or better and 6/9 separately?
Anymore information?
What are the rules regarding contact lenses? I understand the the requirement for spectacles are different? The only information i can find upon the internet and the CAA Website for contact Lenses is that both eye must be 6/6 or better and 6/9 separately?
Anymore information?
Essilor are about to launch (22nd May '17) their Varilux X progressive range in the UK. From what my Optician says these are likely to be a game changer in progressive type glasses. Very little peripheral vision issues and much better clarity up to arms length distances, so should be ideal in the flightdeck. Also far less curvature of straight lines than most other progressives. Will report back in May/June with a review. Meanwhile see:
UK English video:
https://ecp.essilor.co.uk/lenses/var...rilux-x-series
UK English video:
https://ecp.essilor.co.uk/lenses/var...rilux-x-series
Last edited by Nightstop; 5th May 2017 at 10:05. Reason: English language pre-launch video added
Psychophysiological entity
Mate, very technical, buys a pair of the best vary-focals. The main issue is the width of the middle vision, that's the bit that's too skinny on cheaper lenses - to the point of making it necessary to twist one's neck even when reading a book. anyway, he's pleased as Punch with his.
So pleased is he that he takes extreme care of them, to the point of taking them off at night and carefully placing them on the bedside table without wearing the hinges unnecessarily. Now this is a bloke that makes exquisite jewellery. He knows a thing or two about tichy mechanisms.
All goes well . . . for one year and one day.
He picked them up and one of the arms fell off. No, I couldn't stop laughing either when he told me.
Oh, my overhead panel glasses.
My $5 hornrimmed readers worked perfectly for the panel front and above. I could see the square root of buggah all when looking ahead. Solution was to Dremel out a slot.
Nice lady co-pilot gawps at me. "What the heck are they?"
"Oh, I was told I looked cool in glasses, but had to cut a bit out to see where we're going."
No wonder my crews used to find me a bit odd. Most of them understood my sense of humour thank heavens.
So pleased is he that he takes extreme care of them, to the point of taking them off at night and carefully placing them on the bedside table without wearing the hinges unnecessarily. Now this is a bloke that makes exquisite jewellery. He knows a thing or two about tichy mechanisms.
All goes well . . . for one year and one day.
He picked them up and one of the arms fell off. No, I couldn't stop laughing either when he told me.
Oh, my overhead panel glasses.
My $5 hornrimmed readers worked perfectly for the panel front and above. I could see the square root of buggah all when looking ahead. Solution was to Dremel out a slot.
Nice lady co-pilot gawps at me. "What the heck are they?"
"Oh, I was told I looked cool in glasses, but had to cut a bit out to see where we're going."
No wonder my crews used to find me a bit odd. Most of them understood my sense of humour thank heavens.
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Essilor are about to launch their Varilux X progressive range in the UK. From what my Optician says these are likely to be a game changer in progressive type glasses. Very little peripheral vision issues and much better clarity up to arms length distances, so should be ideal in the flightdeck. Also far less curvature of straight lines than most other progressives. Will report back in May/June with a review. Meanwhile see:
Lentes Varilux X Series | BlogVision
Lentes Varilux X Series | BlogVision
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Progressive lenses
Risking a slight thread creep, has anyone tried lens replacement surgery? I have used bi-focal and later varifocal spectacles fairly successfully over the last 30 years, from the time I noticed problems in reading letdown plates in low light in the Sim. I am long-sighted and now working up-close doing maintenance on my pre-war Stinson I need a separate pair of high-correction glasses and I find that very frustrating. If these new replacement lenses work as claimed this could be a permanent solution. I reckon I will already have spent at least £3000 on spectacles over the years, so for a younger pilot it sounds a sensible option. I will certainly consider it.Does anyone know of a downside- apart from cost?
Psychophysiological entity
Have yer eyes cut open just to change the focus? Mmmm . . . as someone sitting here having just had the second lens replaced (c 10 years after the first) I'm certain I'd not do it if it hadn't been absolutely necessary.
Yes, I'd pay a fortune for perfect variable focus lenses but I'd need to know they were going to be what it says on the tin. The problem is, at our age things change quite quickly - so logically, a new brain-programmable lens would be the answer. But . . .
If!? There's the rub. I wouldn't want to be trying to read the guarantee fine print with ones that didn't work.
Still not sure how that technology is coming along - I suspect you've researched it thoroughly but given the adjustment to the interocular lens is counter-intuitive in force/direction, I'm amazed it can be done at all. Getting the Cylinder angle right must be either not addressed or very difficult.
A lot of error seems to be in the cornea. (I was astonished to find my Cyl. correction was the same angle as before.)
One hears great things about laser for this kind of error but I'd not go that route either unless I really couldn't stand the alternative.
Yes, I'd pay a fortune for perfect variable focus lenses but I'd need to know they were going to be what it says on the tin. The problem is, at our age things change quite quickly - so logically, a new brain-programmable lens would be the answer. But . . .
If these new replacement lenses work as claimed this could be a permanent solution.
Still not sure how that technology is coming along - I suspect you've researched it thoroughly but given the adjustment to the interocular lens is counter-intuitive in force/direction, I'm amazed it can be done at all. Getting the Cylinder angle right must be either not addressed or very difficult.
A lot of error seems to be in the cornea. (I was astonished to find my Cyl. correction was the same angle as before.)
One hears great things about laser for this kind of error but I'd not go that route either unless I really couldn't stand the alternative.
Uncle Pete
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Cataracts -Yes, get them sorted.
Focus improvement-No, leave well alone.
Steer clear of varifocal lens replacements! I've heard nothing good about them.
Focus improvement-No, leave well alone.
Steer clear of varifocal lens replacements! I've heard nothing good about them.