B2N2

That’s 40 years with my math skills.
No doubt requirements have changed.
And you shouldn’t go medical chasing across the planet.
Appeal with the CAA.
If you’re not eligible to immigrate to Canada or the USA their Medical will not do you any good.

abbas786

Sure sir i have already appealed, im waiting for a response.

Seanlister1

Good Morning gents and ladies,

I'm well aware that I needed a copy of my prescription for my initial class 1 as I wear glasses for everyday use. I know my prescription is under 2 dioptres but the one thing that's confusing me is the distant visiual activity, that needs to be 6/9 or better, I have pasted a link to a photo of my prescription hopefully this will help. I'm just wanting to make sure I'm all set before I pay for the initial class 1 as I'll have to travel from Newcastle.

Thanks in advance
Sean

Jimmy The Big Greek

no worries. The diopters are for the glasses (you are within limits) and the 6/9 (0.7) is for the eye chart. But you need with both eyes 6/6 and 6/9 with each eye

Seanlister1

Okay thank you, my eyes corrected are both 6/5 6/5 however it doesn't state what my binocular vision is

twa320

Here's a question for those who have already had the lasik procedure. Now that you can see distant objects better, do you now find it difficult to read instruments and plates in the cockpit? If so, how do you cope with this?

I can still pass the FAA exam, but admit that my distant vision could use some help at night when I am tired. My close vision is okay for now, although readers help. My worry is, if I get my distant vision permanently fixed by Lasik will I lose my ability to see inside the cockpit without wearing bifocals? What's the fix? What is your experience/suggestions for this problem considering your "20/20 hindsight"?

localflighteast

2 years post lasik. 20/20 distance vision now.
Some issues with reading close stuff, more likely related to my age (over 40) than the actual surgery as my husband is suffering from the same.

I have no regrets

hugh flung_dung

I went for CLE a few years ago and would recommend it over LASIK unless you are young (sub-40) and still have many years of being able to accommodate ahead of you. I chose lenses that slightly over-corrected distance (about +0.25, IIRC) so my distance vision is excellent and I can read most things without specs, but for comfort or in low light I use half moon +1.25s. The op was straightforward and vision was spectacular after a couple of days (especially focusing on lights at night). There was a minor hiccup a few weeks after one eye was done (macular oedema) but this was quickly fixed.

HFD

Carbon Bootprint

hugh flung_dung

The procedure is identical to cataract surgery, which is supposedly the most frequently performed surgery, and replaces the natural lens with a plastic one. Because a plastic lens is rigid there is no ability to change its focal length (accommodation), but natural lenses lose this ability around age 40 so this would only be a loss for a youngster. There are lenses which attempt to accommodate by having springs around the outside, so that they can be moved slightly forwards and backwards by the ciliary muscle, but these seem to give variable results and (I think) are not permitted for pilots - it's a similar story for multi-focal lenses. It's also possible to have one eye set-up for distance and one for reading ("mono vision"), but not for pilots.
One benefit of CLE is that you won't get cataracts!
I had a gap between the two operations and was surprised at how bright everything looked with the new lens, and also how the natural lens gave everything a slight yellow tinge compared to the plastic lens. If I was doing it again I think I would opt for a slight over-correction in one eye (but less than max permissible for aircrew) to slightly improve near vision.
There's loads of info on the web.

HFD

abbas786

Carbon Bootprint

macdo

Hi, just to add this health warning. My wife had CLE some years ago when it was very new in the UK. She had dreadful vision and was unsuitable for laser treatment. The operation was a complete success and she is able to everything without glasses, it was in her opinion a miracle. But, the one thing she struggles with is night driving due to some elements of glare from oncoming headlights. Not a big issue for her, but I don't imagine a licensing authority would give her a Class 1. I'm certainly going to have the same procedure, once I'm retired!

sky1223g

Dear all,
Since January this year, CAA suspended one of the pilots in the UK from flying, due to HIV medical condition. This decision was appealed by the pilot and CAA restricted the Class one medical to Multi-crew operation only.

Long story short, I was unfit for Class one medical two years ago due to Amblyopia, my vision was 6/6 in the right and 6/18 at the time for the left eye. Over the last two years my weaker left eye acuity has improved to 6/9. Borderline for passing the Class one. I'm hoping to go for an appeal and possible an reassessment.

CAA declared there will be a medical restriction review since the HIV incident. Would anyone could shed some light on the progress of the review? Will it include visual acuity and lastly any advice on my situation? Whether I should contact my AME for opinions on the appeal or go for another eye test to be sure that I'm able to pass the Class one initial again ?

I hope I have made clear on the points that I'm making, if there's anything that it's unclear, please let me know and thanks for reading!

miller745

Folks, does anyone know if the eye test result is borderline must the UPPER finding be used, or can the LOWER finding be used?

I had a test today by my local optician, he gave me a prescription with 2.00 CYL correction for both eyes. (currently left eye is 2.25 and unfit for class 1)
Because when he went 0.25 higher, I was asking for it to be reduced and when he went 0.25 lower, I was asking for it to be increased. He said even though I am borderline, legally he can give me the 2.00CYL prescription.
But is this the same for the CAA?
Wish I could send this result down to heathrow medical instead of sending myself for a retest..

errorman

Sooner or later many pilots eyes will develop cataracts and need surgical treatment. However, this is not straightforward and CAA rules prohibit many currently available types of lens implants (IOLs)
I have been trying to make sense of this important and complex topic. Although I am not an expert, I have tried to set out the current position as follows. Input from others would be much appreciated.
Cataract is cloudiness that develops in the eye's lens. It can be treated by surgical removal and replacement with an artificial lens known as an IOL (Intraocular Lens).
There are three basic types of IOL: Monofocal, Mulitfocal and Accommodative.

Monofocals (the only kind provided by the NHS) are simple lenses of single focal length that must be augmented by spectacles to provide a sharp image over the full depth of visual field. Their use is not recommended by the CAA.

Multifocals are (in layman's terms) something like varifocal specs that are implanted and can provide (at least) two foci. For some individuals this can provide spectacle-free vision, although some 'downsides' are known to exist. These can include a lack of sharpness at some visual distances and disturbances such as a 'halo' effect. There are others too. Their use is specifically forbidden by the CAA for pilots.

Accommodatives aim to provide continuously adjustable focus by bending and/or moving the lens along the visual axis. However, they seem to work much better for some individuals than for others, and it is said, can produce spec-free vision. The CAA approves their use. Unfortunately, it seems that many of the currently available Accommodative IOLs don't work as well as had been hoped. Indeed, the Bauch+Lomb 'Crystalens' Accommodative Lens appears to have been withdrawn by it's manufacturer.

This leaves any pilot who wants spectacle-free vision, following cataract surgery in a bit of a jam. I have tried to get further guidance from the CAA but they haven't proved too helpful so far. I have asked for a meeting with a CAA registered 'Consultant Aviation Opthalmology Advisor'.

There is a glimpse of a hope for the future. Developments in design of both Multifocal and Accommodative lenses seem to be addressing shortcomings of existing IOLs. They are starting to become available now but as yet guidance from the CAA has not been updated to allow their use. It seems that the FAA do now allow use of modern Multifocals if the resultant visual performance meets existing requirements.

How many of us in the pilot community are affected? Perhaps if enough of us register our concern the CAA will feel moved to help.

Chak

Hey all, this is my first post on PPRuNe after being a lurker with no account for nearly half a year.

I had my initial class 1 medical examination today and it did not go as well as I was hoping. We went through my medical history and I had anemia, iron deficiency and hemoglobin deficiency as a child. These were between the ages of 2 and 8, so 6 years of my life. In the space of 11 years, there has been no sign of anemia and the deficiencies. However, the AME would like me to get a full blood test with the analysis and I need to see a specialist regarding a hemoglobin test. However, this is currently looking positive as there were no signs of the medical problems during my blood test performed on the day.

Now the real problem is, although I wear glasses, and I know that since my first optician's eye test that my eyesight is and has been greater than 20/20, I have a slight issue with my hyperphoria. When the optometrist was performing my eye test for the Class 1 Medical, my hyperphoria (vertical eye separation) was 4.0 diopters and the maximum to pass is 2.0 diopters, so essentially I didn't pass the eye test, to say this is really disappointing is an understatement as I would've never expected this to be a problem. I spoke to the optometrist regarding this and I can appeal this, and they recommended I do.

Then I went back to speak to the AME, my next step is to complete the hemoglobin and blood test and send the results to the AME, and if those come back as a pass, I can make the appeal for my class 1 medical. Now I have never had double vision and I notice no difference between both eyes regarding the vertical difference. I don't want to give up on my goal to become a commercial airline pilot, however, I don't want to go through the whole training process and the expense to have a restriction on my class 1 medical that airlines won't accept. When I was speaking to the AME the talk about settling in for a class 2 did come up, but I don't want to throw in the towel, I was told there is a possibility of still getting a class 1 medical, it may require more tests, there was even talk on a possible option where I could continue flying and if I feel comfortable and the CAA agree (I'm sure there is more to it that I don't know as of yet) I may still be issued my class 1. I currently have 8 flying hours and the money I've spent already is not a issue as I've enjoyed every second of it.

I'm currently in a tricky situation, I searched up a little about hyperphoria and the CAA Class 1 but there's not much to it regarding a post on PPRuNe from 2005 and this from the CAA Guidance, where the 4 dioptres are at 6 meters.

h) HeterophoriaApplicants with a heterophoria (imbalance of the ocular muscles) exceeding:
(1) At 6 metres:
2.0 prism dioptres in hyperphoria,
10.0 prism dioptres in esophoria,
8.0 prism dioptres in exophoria;
and
(2) At 33 centimetres:
1.0 prism dioptre in hyperphoria,
8.0 prism dioptres in esophoria,
12.0 prism dioptres in exophoria
should be assessed as unfit. The applicant should be reviewed by an ophthalmologist and if the fusional reserves are sufficient to prevent asthenopia and diplopia a fit assessment may be considered.

Would I have a chance of receiving my class 1 medical, or am I just wasting my time?

Thanks,
Chak.

LandingGear60

@Chak I can't give any information regarding the condition, but I'm sure another Ppruner or even an AME will respond soon on that. What I can say is that, don't give up hope just yet. I've read loads of threads on here and around the web of people failing the initial medical due to exceeding one of the regulations only to appeal and be signed off as fit to fly. I believe the guidelines say that some discretion can be made on a case-by-case basis by the CAA upon appeal. They may likely look at your situation, and with further tests, deem you fit too.You're really not going to know until you proceed with the appeal, so don't loose hope yet. I feel for you when reading this as I was just as nervous for my vision in my initial last month. Good luck and keep us updated!

Chak

@CJS12 Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it. I'm trying not to lose hope yet, I'm doing better than I was yesterday and have already started to make a progression on the report the AME requires and booking in a blood test. Once again, thank you! Once I am ready for the appeal I will post an update.

ianM737

Hi Guys, I recently did the Ishihara and Lantern test and failed both miserably. Booked in to do the CAD test in Heathrow next week.

Has anyone done the CAD test recently at Heathrow? Or anyone failed the Ishihara and Lantern test but passed the CAD?

Cheers!