Dr Jekyll

When I did my initial class 2 the doctor didn't check my prescription or glasses at all but just guessed the figures from my uncorrected vision. Was within the limits anyway but not as comfortably as he reckoned. Mind you the AME in question was last heard of in prison.

Ulster

Well, well ! I wonder which one of my colleagues is presently residing AHMP ? Certainly not anyone who is personally known to me, I'm relieved to say !

I suspect that in most AME practices the former would be the case. A few might prefer to see a report on the refraction / prescription from the optician who has supplied your spectacles. If the change was sufficient to justify the addition of a glasses limitation to the certificate ( VDL being the most likely in this case ) then that can be added easily by the AME using the AME-online system (many other restrictions or limitations can only be added or removed by the CAA at Gatwick).

mnehpets

Let's see. The medical AMC says: (med.b.070)

(d) (1) (ii) myopia not exceeding -6 dioptres
(d) (1) (iii) astigmatism not exceeding 2 dioptres

So there's no problem for you in that regard. However, (d)(5) says that since your correction is between -3 and -6 dioptres, you need to have 5 yearly checkups by an eye specialist.

mezzanaccio

@ mnehpets:

Thank you for your answer. Somehow I thought that the myopia limit was 3.00. That's definitely good news.

One thing is not very clear: does '5 yearly check-ups' mean I will have to have my eyes tested five times a year in order to have a valid EASA Class 1 medical?

Cheers

Ulster

Fear not, intrepid young aviator ! No, it doesn't mean that at all !
Perhaps a simple hyphen would have made it clearer ( "5-yearly check-ups" ).

It's easier to say that you would need to have your eyes and vision checked EVERY FIVE YEARS ! Hope that sounds better !

mezzanaccio

Now I get it, thanks a lot!

this is my username

Might be worth trying these - not sure how well they would work when placed on top of another correcting lens but it wouldn't be expensive to find out!

Stick on bifocal lenses available in the UK

Frontal

Essilor used to make a varifocal with an upper segment at the top of the lens that used to be called "pilot" for obvious reasons.

Nowadays the only suitable lens is a double D trifocal.

Captaincivvy

Initial Class 1 in Canada...

With correction my left eye is 6/4 but with 2.5 astigmatism, my right eye is 6/12 with amblyopia.

I'm going to Canada in August. I'm wondering about going for my initial, then trying to convert it when I get back to the UK. Thoughts?

tyer22

Hey i was wondering if i meet the criteria for a monocular vision waiver in terms of the FAA standards. 20/25 in the left eye and 20/200 in the right corrected. Contact lens power is -11.0 in the left and -12.0 in the right. I read the regulations on monocular vision and they said that you can get a waiver the lens power is +-3.0 but im thinking to myself if i can get 20/25 why does the FAA care what power my lenses are. Any reason as to why or what i can do about it to get a third class medical. Really hope that the GAPPA Act passes so no medical is needed to fly private.

jammah49

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get a Euro Class 3, (same eyesight standards as CAA/EASA Class 1 medical) for ATC once I finish my aviation based degree this year. I have had lasik 9 months ago. My pre-op prescription was -6 in my left which passes, but -7 in my right which is past the limit. My eyesight is fine and stable now and in limits. Prior to my laser I held a CAA Class 2 as I was undertaking PPL training, but never had it renewed after my surgery.
Is there any chance the CAA or NATS medical centres may let me gain my Euro Class 3, or EASA Class 1?
The ambiguity of the eye requirement documents say contact the CAA for advice if your pre op prescription is out of limits, but i'm wary of doing that and it makes it sound like there is an almost grey area.
Any advice or experience with this issue would be much appreciated.
Cheers

ZPPilot

Hi there

I have a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot, and unfortunately i have quite a bit of Astigmatism in both eyes

I have -1.75D in the right and -1.50D in the Left.
....and some 0.5D of myophia in both.

I know that there is a limit of 2D for the initial exam, and a limit of 3D for the renewal... so i might just pass the initial one, but what if it gets worse over time? How big is the chance that it will go from 1.75 and above 3..

Is there anyone in a similar situation or has some advise?

Bryan Tan

I've just gotten my eye checked, and it shows 6/7.5 for both of my eyes when I wear spectacles. Is that good or bad?

TizerTheAppetizer

Quite an odd one this one ...

If you had an intraocular lens (an artificial lens inside the eye that replaces your natural one) and an artificial iris AND a DSAEK corneal graft (that's just the innermost layer) ... but could get 6/9 monocular with that eye and 6/6 binocular ...

Could you get a Class 1?

This is assuming the eye is stable some months after the operation, which was required because of trauma.

If not, what is the point of medical advances?

Blues&twos

I think the problems are related to the 'other' effects of such surgery, such as corneal hazing, halos and glare, rather than the basic visual acuity.
The point, I guess, of ophthalmic advances is that non-pilots might benefit too.....

TizerTheAppetizer

Thank you for replying Blues&twos.

I have spoken to ophthalmic surgeons at Moorfield's about this -- the latest artificial irises are so good that I'm told an optician would struggle to detect them, even under a slit lamp.

There shouldn't be any glare or halos.

The old corneal grafts had all kinds of problems associated with them, astigmatism for example, and rejection.

The replacement of just the inner (endothelium) layer is so good that they tell me the cornea will be as healthy as the other eye, two to three weeks after the graft.

With all that in mind, how can the CAA say I'm technically monocular? Assuming they will, that is. Or that they don't trust the procedures.

My point is, advanced biotechnology and surgical procedures mean that 20 years ago this would have been impossible. Today it can be done.

If I can get 6/9 or even 6/6 (highly likely according to the docs at Moorfield's) on what grounds can the CAA refuse a Class 1. I would even accept a (temporary) OML.

If I sound desparate, that's because I am ...

Blues&twos

Hello again Tizer. I hope you have a successful op. I had a corneal graft 30 years ago and with glasses was getting 6/9 to 6/5, depending on the day(!) things have certainly moved on a bit since then. Recovery times are considerably reduced, and you don't have to spend time laying on your back in bed after the op..
Maybe the CAA are being cautious because they have the luxury of being able to, or maybe there are other clinical reasons. It probably doesn't help much, but having 6/9 or better after a surgeon has been at your eyeball is nigh on miraculous.

Absolute best of luck to you!

TizerTheAppetizer

Blues&twos ... do you mind me asking if you got a Class 1 after the graft. It sounds like the surgeons did a pretty good job. It's still going 30 years later, and that must have been the old-fashioned type graft, if you don't mind me saying so.

I haven't given up though. At least the surgeons seem to be on my side.

But I haven't had the op yet though!!!!

Blues&twos

I've only flown light a/c under instruction, so no medical issues...sorry , can't help there.
You're right about the type of graft, full thickness.

TizerTheAppetizer

Perhaps I need to rephrase the Qs ...

Does anyone know of any pilots who have had an intra-ocular lens (an artificial lens placed inside the front of the eye to replace the natural one) ..

Or Any pilots who have had a corneal graft ... and who have managed to get a Class 1?

Any pointers would be really helpful?