Monocular vision
 

I have a 'sort of' monocular vision - but after tests, have been shown to have perfect depth perception /3 dimensional vision/ colour vision, etc. Basically, my right eye is 6/6, and my left eye is 6/60 - quite a difference. However, close up, I have no problems reading, (I can actually see with my left eye from a few centimetres). For day to day living, my condition does not bother me, because binocularly, I can see 6/6 or better. BUT, after completing 17 hours flying, the need to take a class 2 medical looms closer. After trying on a friends pair of glasses, (left -5), & covering my right eye, I realised that my left eye CAN be corrected, (if necessary). What I would like to know is this: Have I got ANY chance of passing the medical, to enable me to fly solo for the PPL? Any advice is much appreciated.

FireDragon,

Below is the info from the CAA website. Have a look at it, and if need be, go for an eye test, or ask your optician for advice.

Hope this is of use,

Good Luck

Barney

VISUAL ACUITY REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL JOINT AVIATION AUTHORITIES CLASS 2 CERTIFICATION - STUDENT AND PRIVATE PILOTS

a)There shall be no acute or chronic disease in either eye or adnexae.

b)The visual fields must be normal.


A visual acuity of at least 6/12 (20/40, 0.5) in each eye separately and 6/6 using both eyes together,with or without correcting glasses. If correcting glasses are required the refractive error must not exceed ± 5 dioptres in the most ametropic (i.e. the highest) meridian, including any correction for astigmatism. Errors in excess of -5 but not exceeding -8 dioptres may be accepted, provided an ophthalmologist's assessment confirms that the fundi are healthy. Any astigmatism must not exceed 3.0 dioptres. The difference in refractive error between the two eyes (anisometropia) shall not exceed 3.0 dioptres.

c)Candidates shall be required to have accommodation that permits Faculty of Ophthalmology Reading Chart N5, or its equivalent, to be read at a distance between 30-50cms, with or without correcting glasses.

d)Similarly, it is required that N14 print should be clearly read at 100cms.

e)The wearing of contact lenses is permitted in student/private pilots. The applicant must arrange to provide a report from an optometrist, to include the following:


unaided visual acuity;
corrected visual acuity for spectacles and contact lenses;
prescription for both spectacles and contact lenses;
confirmation that the contact lenses have been worn constantly and successfully for over eight hours a day over a period of at least one month.


(Contact lenses should be removed at least 48 hours
in advance of the initial Class 2 medical examination
and glasses and contact lenses taken to the
examination.)



f)

An applicant with substandard vision in one eye, due
to amblyopia, may be assessed as fit if the visual
acuity in the amblyopic eye is 6/18 or better,
provided the visual acuity in the other eye is 6/6 or
better.



g)

The candidate shall have normal colour vision
perception as tested by Ishihara
Pseudo-Isochromatic Plates in good daylight or
alternatively he shall be able to pass the Holmes
Wright lantern test, at a distance of 6 metres. If the
candidate fails the Ishihara and Holmes Wright test,
then he/she may be issued with a Class 2 medical
certificate which will be limited to flights in JAA
airspace only, by day only and under Visual Flight
Rules only.


Please Note:

1)

If you have any concerns about your visual fitness for
initial Class 2 JAA certification, please submit a
report from an optometrist to an Authorised Medical
Examiner in advance of booking an initial Class 2
medical examination so that you may be given more
specific advice by the Authorised Medical Examiner.



2)

JAA Guidelines on refractive error may be altered if
changes to International Civil Aviation Organisation
standards and recommended practices occur in the
future.

It is possible to get a medical in the US with only one eye. There is a waiver process in effect. I don't know if it applies to commercial flying. Chances are that the CAA have a waiver or as they call it variance program available too.

IF you are not sure about your eyes, I suggest that you get your prescription from your optician and fax it to the Safety Regulation Group (SRG) at the CAA in Gatwick (fax number is on their web site I imagine)

They will then say whether is is worth while going for the medical. They are very nice people, and they always do their best. You need to know the sooner the better. It will either take a weight of your shoulders or cause dissapointment now but you wil get over it sooner than you think. Dont put it off. Better to try and fail than to never try at all.