FAA medical and Eyesight
 

Hey..

I am going to take my FAA medical next week.. I struggled to get my JAR class 1, but made it in the end..

My problem is that i have reduced eyesight on one eye, and it can not be better even with correctives.

My right eye is 1,25 on theyr scala.. 1 is the normal average.
My left eye is 0.8.. could this be a problem? When using both eyes at the same time i see 20/20.

I also are slightly crosseyed and kind of supress my left eye.

As I understand it the FAA eyesight requirements are less stringent than the JAA's. I've heard it mentioned here that as long as your vision is correctable to 20/20, you should, in general, be fine for an FAA Class I. It's the CAA who specify minimum requirements BEFORE correction. This is of course if you need correction to get 20/20 in the first place.

Good luck,

V1R

For the FAA the class 1 requirement is 20/20 so that is not less stringent at all.

Without doing the tests I can not say whether you will pass or not but would suspect you should be OK.

What we do test though for class 1 and 2 for the FAA (and not sure if they do for a class 1 JAR -although would suspect they do) and may be an issue from what you write is the test for stereopsis.

Best of luck.

FD

Sorry, by less stringent I meant less criteria/conditions need to be met with regards to general quality of vision i.e. the UK CAA stipulate a minimum correction needed for each eye whereas, as I understand it, the FAA look for eyesight that is correctable to 20/20 full stop.

No doubt there is devil in the detail but I'm pretty sure this is the general gist of the major difference - FD's your man though...have received good advice in the past.

Regards,

V1R

So beeing able to see 20/20 with both eyes at once should be enough, or do both eyes separatly need to be 20/20?

As i wrote, my left eye is not 20/20.. If, as i expect 20/20 means 1 in that scale..

My left eye will never become any better even with glasses ;(

I am in a similar situation ,and hold a FAA Class 1 medical together with a "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" ,which basically says even though you don't meet the standard you are still safe to fly.

Each case is individually assessed ,you will need a form from the FAA medical branch which you have completed by an eye specialist ,best use one approved by your local CAA.

These waivers can be issued based on operational experience ,or passing a special test.

Worth trying