That does seem to be the case. I believe that my eyesight is ok for now but in time I have a feeling I might get a VDL on top of a possible OML (not a good combo).

I wonder if many wannabes my age begin developing vision issues and whether they manage to have a relatively successful career despite this.

Yep, been there done that. Don't faff about get two decent pairs of varifocals, I got them after realising once too often that I was wearing the wrong glasses as I looked up at DH! Varifocal contacts are even better( I still teach in the sim) but now I'm retired I have no idea if they're allowed on the flight deck yet.

Sorry, very quick eyesight question!
 

Hi,

Can someone confirm that I do NOT need perfect (6/6) vision in order to get an initial Class 1 medical in the UK?

I've been looking through the CAA guidance notes and it seems that 6/9 in one eye is good enough on initial examination, as long as it's 6/6 with both.

Am I misreading the guidance notes? (they're clearly intended for AMEs so aren't exactly in plain English for everyday muppets like me to understand!)

hi folks,
if i wanna bs initial easa class 1 after having lasik a few years ago, can i do it?

Yes, that shouldn't be an issue at all. Just mention it on your initial form and maybe include the report you got from the clinic showing that all had gone as planned.

You will be referred to an opthamologist to give you a once over to make sure your eyes are in good shape, but that's pretty normal.

I've recently had an opthamologist assessment for my class 1 as I have astigmatism. The consultant I saw was a laser specialist and told me that if I ever wanted LASIK then I could have it done during a short break (6-8 weeks) from flying and shouldn't cause any problems.

I've been prescribed prisms by optometrists on my glasses since my teens. Your optometrist can likely do the same and recommend exercises.

My ophthalmologist sent me to an orthoptist a few years ago and I came out with a diagnosis of an ocular nerve palsy for which there's nothing to do beyond what the optometrist is already doing. Two medicals later a new regional medical officer had a panic attack over stability of a condition I've had since my teens:confused:

Your prism prescription is correct when you are looking straight ahead without tilting your head when driving on a straight road in the countryside.

You may qualify for a lower category medical and use that to get a private license. Once an experienced pilot, you might qualify for category 1.

Proper fusion is only important in your flare to land. Without you will be either flaring late or early and it will be a long time before you will solo.

Oh yes, some optometrists are more conscientious than others on getting your prisms right.

It is my understanding (not a pro, but had vision problems myself and know the CAA guidance material rather well) that diplopia is an automatic disqualification.

BUT, do not give up hope. Look into your options with private opthamologists and see what can be corrected. It may not be good news, but you never know until you try.

I've spent the last 16 years without a medical because I gave up when I didn't think I could meet the requirements. Turns out I was wrong, I just needed the right optometrist and spend a few months of patience whilst getting used to contact lenses!

If the CAA won't accept prisms, move to Canada.

I had cataract surgery last week and i am now waiting for my class 1 Medical (EASA) According our company doctor, besides visus at the medical they also check for HALO's, starburst, glare, dislopie, and loss of contrast,
As for now i don't have any of these, But what kinds of tests are they using to check this?

I'd contact Adrian Chorley at aviationvisionservices.com - he conducted my post-op (multi-focal IOL) tests and can explain all :cool:

I've had catarct surgery this summer and they just performed all the usual checks at the aeromedical center where I have been going since 15 years (also EASA). All these halo, starburst, glare and whatever else effects are subjective, you either see it or you don't, but I wouldn't know how anyone could detect that with an instrument.

UK CAA Class 1 medical VISION - Hypermetropia exceeding +5D
 

The current implementing rules for vision for the UK CAA Class 1 medical state that applicants with hypermetropia exceeding +5D may be assessed as fit after referral to the medical assessor.

Does anyone have any experience of such a referral and what the process is provided that everything is otherwise healthy and normal?

Help please.
 

I’m 24 and have wanted to be an airline pilot since I was 5 years old. I have been diagnosed with amblyopia in my left eye due to refractive error. I see 6/6 in the right eye and 6/12 in the left with correction. And 6/6 binocularly. Will I have any luck getting an initial class 1 with the CAA or EASA or should I just give up on my dream and consider moving abroad to fly? Thanks

Hi,

I cannot see any rules preventing you obtaining a class1 medical with amblyopia. What is the refractive error in each eye?

The problem will be visual acuity in your left eye. If your refractive errors are within range then you may be subject to the limit of 6/9 in your left eye. Can your left eye be improved to 6/9?

+5 in the left and +0.25 in the right. I don’t think the left can see 6/9 unfortunately. Surely one line doesn’t matter?

When you say you 'don't think' you can get 6/9 out of your left eye how certain of this are you? Since the RE does not exceed +5D then 6/9 is the limit you need to get to. It is worth spending the time and effort with an opthalmologist to determine the best you can expect to achieve. If your acuity is neurologically limited then the best acuity can be quickly determined. Best to be absolutely certain about the best acuity to you could possibly get before exploring next ptions.

I’ve spent lots of money and time on ophthalmologists and it hasn’t been that successful. 6/12 is the best I’ve been able to see my whole life and it can’t be corrected to 6/9 due to amblyopia. I’ve often had the problem of having the refractive error scanned on a computer and the optician deciding I need strong lenses when all this time it was the other way round I went from +5/+6 lenses to +3.5 varifocals which help me see 6/12 now. Will I be ok with the CAA? Some have said that it’s not up for discussion and 6/9 is the absolute minimum but there must be airline pilots out there that see 6/12 in one eye like myself?

Hi,
after reading the latest CAA guidelines about refractory eye surgery, I was wondering whether anyone experienced some hardships to get a Class 1 Medical after the refractory eye surgery ?
Thanks

Hi all,
I have some eyesight questions (yes I know there's many on here but I want more "Tailored" opinions).

To put it bluntly - the eyesight in my left eye is rubbish due to Ambloypia. My prescription is weak (O.D Sph +0.25, Cyl -0.5 Axis 0. O.S Sph +0.75, Cyl -0.25 Axis 20) so I will pass this. My issue is Visual Acuity. At home, when I test myself I am 6/6 together but very very borderline 6/9 in my left eye depending on the day, however whenever I go to the opticians at home they have recently been putting 6/9 or even 6/6 (6/6 is absolutely 100% incorrect). So obviously this leaves me very nervous if I were ever to do a Class 1.

So my first question is, when you do the visual acuity test - is it identical to doing it at an opticians (in that they don't mind you taking it slow) or do they want you to read the lines quickly with confidence.

Secondly, I already hold a UK (EASA) Class 2 Medical from 2018 which needs renewed next year. I take it that if I go for a Class 1 medical it will be done under the Initial guidance rather than a renewal as it will be my first Class 1.

Finally, If I was to do a Class 1 I would do a combined CAA/EASA examination to get both licences. If I completed a MED 162/EASA equivalent by the regular eye specialists I have been using and showed the examiner on my initial, would they take this and pass me based on this or is this just a waste of time?

Thanks in advance for any answers you may be able to give.

CASA Exophoria
 

Does anyone know the Exophoria limits for a CASA Class 1 medical ?

Does anyone have any experience with decompensated/ing phorias?

So, the last few years I always doubted my eyes for Class 1 standard as I have Amblyopia in my left eye. I finally scratched that itch and went for a standalone eye appointment with Adrian Chorley at Heathrow Medical.

I must say he was fantastic, answered so many of my questions and the eye examination is really just genrally interesting.

Anyway, I passed. Morale of the story - don't be put off and speak to an expert. There's always hope.

Help Regarding My Eye Sight
 

Hello, I am 17 years old student from Nepal. While my dream is to be a pilot, some issues regarding my eyesight always puts me in doubt whether I can pursue to pass Class-1 Medical examination test or not. From what I know, i’ve intermittent exotropia in my eyes due to which it tends to squint or drift outwards. My left eyes vision is a bit blurry and I have hard times to focus. With that, I do get double visions too.

Yet, I’m not giving up. I go on therapies in hospital every week to improve vision and have been consistently doing brock string in home to improve it too. As a 17 years old still chasing for my dreams, its really hard for me to be completely sured whether I can pass Medical Exams for pilots or not. I really will appreciate any help or guidances from the experts in this website. I just found out about this websites and wanted to get help from people who have some ideas related with it. Even if I have to undergo surgery to fix my vision, I’m well determined to take the action as long as it makes me fit for a future Pilot.

Here are some details about my eye problems, given by my doctor:Cover Test:

• Distance (D): 12∆ XT / Alternating XT

• Your eyes deviate 12 prism diopters outward at distance.

• Near (N): Exo D/C (likely Exo Deviation/Control)

• You also have outward deviation at near, but it’s likely controlled better.



PBCT (Prism Bar Cover Test):

• Unaided Distance: 16–18∆ XT

• Unaided Near: 10∆ XT

• Confirms divergence excess exotropia — larger deviation at distance than near.


Accommodation & Vergence (Eye Teaming) Function:



NPC (Near Point of Convergence):

• 12 cm (OS) — Slightly poor convergence ability (ideally should be less than 10 cm).



Fusional Vergence Amplitudes (FVA):

• NFV (Negative Fusional Vergence) and PFV (Positive Fusional Vergence) are both reduced at distance and near.

• Indicates poor ability of your eyes to work together effectively, both for crossing (convergence) and separating (divergence).

Vergence Facility Test:

• With 12∆ BO (base-out prism) and 3 Base-In prism:

You had trouble clearing and sustaining fusion — consistent with exotropia and vergence insufficiency.



Management:

• Office Vision Therapy (VT)

• Home Vision Therapy (HVT)

• Exercises recommended:

• Brock String: 15 minutes daily

• Lens Flippers or Similar Vergence/Accommodation Workouts

It's great to see your determination. Vision challenges like intermittent exotropia and amblyopia definitely make the path more complex, but not necessarily impossible. You're doing the right thing by getting therapy early and consistently working on convergence and fusion, those improvements matter over time, especially at your age.

Since you're also open to surgical options if needed, just be sure to stay informed about all potential risks, especially with newer or less common treatments. For example, some eye injections used for certain retinal conditions, like Syfovre, have recently come under scrutiny. The FDA issued warnings after reports of serious side effects, including vision loss. Different context than your case, but it shows how important it is to stay updated and cautious when it comes to eye procedures.

Wishing you all the best!

Good morning, I'm looking for some advice. Has anyone had any success in achieving class 1 medical with substandard vision? My left eye corrects to the correct acuity 6/5 (albeit slightly over prescription - +5). my right eye corrects to 6/36. Binocular is 6/5. I have had the issue more or less since birth. My understanding is that for revalidation i would pass. I have booked my class 1 initial as a 'You never know'. Just interested to hear any stories of anyone in a similar predicament. Thanks

Adrian is great: professional, understanding, knowledgeable and pragmatic. If ever there’s anyone I would trust to be sympathetic and helpful with an issue, Adrian is your man!

Thank you! I will look into him.

I've recently had an eye test at my local optometrist for a Class 1 renewal which indicated ocular hypertension in one eye after a non-contact tonometry (air puff) test. From what I've read these tests aren't always reliable and I've had no prior history. I presume getting a second test is possibly a good idea but does anyone have experience of what I can expect regarding my current medical? I get the impression that it's not the sort of thing which should result in an immediate suspension of my Class 1 but I understand that AME opinions can vary.

Chris, elevated interocular pressure, IOP, is a precursor to glaucoma. I would first discuss with your optometrist when you should begin seeing an ophthalmologist as delay in obtaining treatment for glaucoma may lead to irreversible loss of vision.

The optometrist can administer a visual field test which consists of clicking a button whenever you see a flash of light. That will identify any loss.

Treatment begins with eye drops. There's also laser treatments and stents that are often placed during cataract surgery. I've had the lot.

The good news is that glaucoma can be well controlled.

Transport Canada Medical requires annual ophthalmologist reports.
​

Thank you for the advice, I've got a second test booked next week to try and determine whether the first test was a false positive (I'm aware this can be quite common). If it is, I'll arrange a referral to an ophthalmologist through my GP (the optometrist I saw has already sent a referral), if it looks like a long waiting list I'll most likely try and see a specialist privately.

Glaucoma is generally slow acting. A few months on a waiting list is not likely to make a significant difference.

Hi Chris,

Increased IOP with a puff tonometer is quite normal. They are not as accurate as contact tonometers and use to give readings increased by +1 or +2. Having said that, the numbers mean little if you do not compensate them with the corneal thickness. A cornea thicker than 540 µm will increase the readings and a thinner one will decrease them. For example a 600 µm cornea will produce a +4 Hg mm reading, so if the reading was 23 the real IOP is 19. (look for a table with your browser).
A moderately elevated IOP does not translate into glaucoma. You need optic nerve damage (measured with an OCT), thinning of the GCL, affected VF, and sometimes elevated IOP, as a "normal" IOP can also produce glaucoma in some individuals (called normal tension glaucoma).
My advice is: forget about cheap optometrist review (typical in some undermanned countries)and get into good ophthalmologist hands.