eye drops & driving after class 1 medical
 

I'm off for my medical next month (heading over to Gatwick from Dubai).

In the literature they sent me it states that eye drops may be used that blur the vision and i should not drive for 12 hours.

Is this just them protecting their own back?? i will have to drive as have no other way of getting there and no one to take me...poor me!

Any ideas as to whether it will be safe to drive afterwards?

Cheers

I don't remember having eyedrops put in during my initial Class I. Send them a quick email or give them a call to check.

I had heard that this was to be dropped (groan) but if you do have dilation DON'T DRIVE!!!

The thing is that you may be able to see okay with a smaller amount/weaker mix, but you can't count on it. It's the amount that you are given on the day.

I have been utterly disabled by these drops, and no doubling up of sunglasses or squinting would let me see anything but a searchlight in my eyes. It was very unplesent.

I recall telling the story on here ages ago about a mate in Ireland getting some corrective drops put in. Everything went very dark, and by the time his bus was near his home he needed help. The friendly pax said 'The blind home is the next stop." He of course replied, No, I'm a pilot, I need to get off at the airport. He insists that it's a true story.

If it's just the medical you're going for don't worry about driving. You can get to the CAA easily from both LHR and LGW on public transport - there's a buss that goes to the CAA's front door.

Beyond that, having had drops for eye checks I would suggest that 3 to 4 hrs is a more practical period to wait......but I guess everyone is different.

I had Mydrilate anti-muscarinic eye drops before Christmas for an eye examination. Got the bus to the examination as I was told I wouldn't be able to drive for about 12-24 hours afterwards.

Bloody right I couldn't! My vision was appalling for almost 60 hours! Got to the stage where I thought my iris had 'stuck' fully open.....:uhoh:

It wasn't just that everything was very bright, but that the focussing was miles off too, so it didn't even improve my night vision!

Mydrilate has that nasty habit that wont let the iris settle down for sometimes 5 days post stopping it......I thought they screwed my eyes up as I couldnt focus fully on day 4....by the way I am told is a cocaine based derivative drug,,,old wives tale|?

thanks for all the input, suspect they will use as i know i will need an extended eye test to look at my muscle balance!
will get a lift to and from Gatwick, will have to stay with friends in sussex, think they're not too far away!
Cheers

A few points:

1. If they wish to use drops to enlarge your pupils to check the back of your eyes Mydrilate is inapproprite.
2. Its likely they will us shorter acting pupil enlarging drops such as Tropicamide. Such drops are shorter acting and are unlikely to affect your distance vision realted ability to drive. I know they've given you a warning not too for 12 hrs - that's a disclaimer!
3. They will not use any drops with regard to examination of your eye movements.

ok, that's good to know, think i will drive there and then if they use drops and cannot drive, call my friend from Horsham to pick me up. is there a place i will be able to leave the car overnight?