Class I - Limitation Requiring Ophthalmological Assessment
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Class I - Limitation Requiring Ophthalmological Assessment
Hello everyone, I have a bit of a dilemma which maybe some of you can help with.
When I went for my first Class I last year, the optometrist identified some obscure deficiency in the binocular vision. It wasn't something to do with needing glasses, so they sent me off to do some visual therapy instead.
I started the therapy with an optometrist especialised in the subject, who was always very surprised as she thought the "issue" was very slight, but we started the therapy anyway. I am 36, so she recommended I got some cheap glasses to help with the inital stages of the therapy and then later moved on to do the the exercises without the glasses.
After 4/5 months of therapy I went back and they gave my Class I (without the glasses) but with a limitation that reads:
"Requires assessment by an ophtalmogist".
I was pretty annoyed at this, it sort of leaves a cloud hanging that I might loose my medical at any point, when it's definitely not the the case, because of something that 1) was so marginal that there was a question if it was ever real, 2) the therapy solved it and 3) I have better than 20/20 vision without glasses.
I accepted that was life for a year, but immediately went to a different EASA ophtalmogist to get a second opinion. This second Dr. said she saw no reason for the restriction and that she would be willing to remove it BUT on the condition that, because I am 36, I wear the glasses we used for therapy. I.e. there would be limitation instead to use glasses (+0.75 in both eyes if you are wondering)
Now it's renewal time and I went back for a pre-appointment with the original ophtalmogist. She said my vision is perfectly fine, but that she wants to maintain the restriction but make it that I require the assessment every two years, instead of yearly. I expressed my concerns about employability with this restriction and she says this is noted on certificates all the time, gave the example of someone that might be on the limit of their prescription and need new glasses next time, but she also didn't know what the restriction looks like on the certificate and if it will say that it's every two years instead of yearly, so she did exactly filled me with a lot of confidence that she knew what she was talking about as far as the side of the employer is concerned.
Now I don't know what to do. Should I just accept this restriction, or go to the other DR. and have a limitation to wear glasses? I don't know if this restriction is as normal as she was telling me or whether in the eyes of an employer (excuse the pun) would be preferable to have the limitations to wear glasses.
Ironically, I find the glasses super uncomfortable while flying and they definitely don't make me see any better with the reflections etc
I don't know if this cloud is real or just my insecurity about securing that coveted first job when I will be 37 by the time I finish, but if anyone know anything about this restriction then it would help me decide!
Thank you and sorry for the long post.
When I went for my first Class I last year, the optometrist identified some obscure deficiency in the binocular vision. It wasn't something to do with needing glasses, so they sent me off to do some visual therapy instead.
I started the therapy with an optometrist especialised in the subject, who was always very surprised as she thought the "issue" was very slight, but we started the therapy anyway. I am 36, so she recommended I got some cheap glasses to help with the inital stages of the therapy and then later moved on to do the the exercises without the glasses.
After 4/5 months of therapy I went back and they gave my Class I (without the glasses) but with a limitation that reads:
"Requires assessment by an ophtalmogist".
I was pretty annoyed at this, it sort of leaves a cloud hanging that I might loose my medical at any point, when it's definitely not the the case, because of something that 1) was so marginal that there was a question if it was ever real, 2) the therapy solved it and 3) I have better than 20/20 vision without glasses.
I accepted that was life for a year, but immediately went to a different EASA ophtalmogist to get a second opinion. This second Dr. said she saw no reason for the restriction and that she would be willing to remove it BUT on the condition that, because I am 36, I wear the glasses we used for therapy. I.e. there would be limitation instead to use glasses (+0.75 in both eyes if you are wondering)
Now it's renewal time and I went back for a pre-appointment with the original ophtalmogist. She said my vision is perfectly fine, but that she wants to maintain the restriction but make it that I require the assessment every two years, instead of yearly. I expressed my concerns about employability with this restriction and she says this is noted on certificates all the time, gave the example of someone that might be on the limit of their prescription and need new glasses next time, but she also didn't know what the restriction looks like on the certificate and if it will say that it's every two years instead of yearly, so she did exactly filled me with a lot of confidence that she knew what she was talking about as far as the side of the employer is concerned.
Now I don't know what to do. Should I just accept this restriction, or go to the other DR. and have a limitation to wear glasses? I don't know if this restriction is as normal as she was telling me or whether in the eyes of an employer (excuse the pun) would be preferable to have the limitations to wear glasses.
Ironically, I find the glasses super uncomfortable while flying and they definitely don't make me see any better with the reflections etc
I don't know if this cloud is real or just my insecurity about securing that coveted first job when I will be 37 by the time I finish, but if anyone know anything about this restriction then it would help me decide!
Thank you and sorry for the long post.
I can't help with that particular medical issue but I've been wearing glasses since I was twelve and flew my entire career wearing either contacts or specs. My contact prescription is +5.5 and I'd have a hard job finding the aircraft let alone flying it I didn't have any correction.
To answer your question about employability I wouldn't worry too much. Either with or without glasses you will be as suitable as the next candidate. The restriction is printed in the top right corner of your medical in code form. Mine is 'VDL. Valid only with correction for defective distant vision'. In layman's terms I can wear contacts with a spare pair of glasses as back up. There are thousands of pilots with similar restrictions.
If you wanted an opinion of what is preferable, then having the words 'Requires assessment by an ophthalmologist' is probably going to attract the attention of an airline assessor. A simple site code won't. Perhaps going with the glasses for now is preferable until you're settled into a job.
The full EASA medical requirements are here for future reference: EASA Medical Standards
To answer your question about employability I wouldn't worry too much. Either with or without glasses you will be as suitable as the next candidate. The restriction is printed in the top right corner of your medical in code form. Mine is 'VDL. Valid only with correction for defective distant vision'. In layman's terms I can wear contacts with a spare pair of glasses as back up. There are thousands of pilots with similar restrictions.
If you wanted an opinion of what is preferable, then having the words 'Requires assessment by an ophthalmologist' is probably going to attract the attention of an airline assessor. A simple site code won't. Perhaps going with the glasses for now is preferable until you're settled into a job.
The full EASA medical requirements are here for future reference: EASA Medical Standards
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Thank you, I was aware of the document. In fact, I discussed it with the therapist and she said that I exceeded the minimum requirements comfortably from the initial assessment, which is the frustrating (and expensive) thing about all of this and why it pains me to wear glasses I don't need. I feel the original assessment for the Class I was botched, the lady was in a rush, wasn't explaining anything properly - couldn't even work the machine! Complete disregard to the importance their role has in someone's future.
Anyway as you say, I don't think there is an appeal process and that on balance it might be wiser from an employability perspective to accept the glasses instead of the limitation requiring ophthalmology assessment.
Anyway as you say, I don't think there is an appeal process and that on balance it might be wiser from an employability perspective to accept the glasses instead of the limitation requiring ophthalmology assessment.
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For your reference, I have an RXO in addition to a VDL on my medical, which states: Requires specialist ophthalmological examination. My reason for that is that my myopia exceeds 5 diopters. Except for the ME, never been questioned about it.
Here in Canada it seems the aviation medical authorities are dismissive of optometrists as they are not MDs. It wouldn't surprise me if the same attitudes are prevalent in other jurisdictions.
Optometrists are however more expert than ophthalmologists in prescribing corrective lenses. It seems you need prisms in your lenses.
You should not have discomfort from your eyeglass frames. The optometrist or optician should ensure your frames are properly adjusted. However the prisms make your ocular nerves and muscles work and you may feel some relief when you take your glasses off. That said, you need to wear the glasses for a significant part of the day to adapt to them.
Possibly the exercises will eventually get to the position where you no longer need glasses, but aging can work against that.
Anti reflective coatings are available for an extra cost and really help outdoors.
Optometrists are however more expert than ophthalmologists in prescribing corrective lenses. It seems you need prisms in your lenses.
You should not have discomfort from your eyeglass frames. The optometrist or optician should ensure your frames are properly adjusted. However the prisms make your ocular nerves and muscles work and you may feel some relief when you take your glasses off. That said, you need to wear the glasses for a significant part of the day to adapt to them.
Possibly the exercises will eventually get to the position where you no longer need glasses, but aging can work against that.
Anti reflective coatings are available for an extra cost and really help outdoors.
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You could engage the services of a lawyer to write a letter to the first Optometrist, telling them to get 'off the fence' and state exactly what is their concern - and if none (sounds like it) - that they remove the restriction, and also include suggested costs and reimburse you. There seems to be far too many cases like this, and also of referring to 'friends' in the industry - at a cost. Maybe there is a kickback going on, incentivising referrals? It has to stop. Also if genuine concerns, then contact the GMC (or similar) to ask for an investigation in to the original restriction.
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Thank you all for your replies! OutsideCAS, that was very tempting! But as I did not want to delay the process any further I went with the report of the second ophthalmologist.
I have just received the certificate, they have changed it to a VDL (wear glasses) restriction so I am happy with that for now and as I am planning to change away from Spains CAA, I will try to remove the glasses restriction but if that doesn’t work then I am not bothered.
Thank you all!
I have just received the certificate, they have changed it to a VDL (wear glasses) restriction so I am happy with that for now and as I am planning to change away from Spains CAA, I will try to remove the glasses restriction but if that doesn’t work then I am not bothered.
Thank you all!
