Class 1 Medical - Eye
 

Hello All,

I know that the class 1 medical in JAA/CASA/FAA or even HKCAD also accept do the 20/20 test with correction lens. (Only short sight and Astigmatism, no other eye problem)

However, I just want to know that what is the limit of short sight and Astigmatism?

Also, did the JAA/CASA/FAA accept pilot did the Corneal Refractive Technology /Orthokeratology (Non-surgery) or Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) or lasik, laser??
Accept or Not? If yes, how long around the period that the pilot need to rest after taking the above treatment?

Thank you for answering my question.

EASA Medical Standards are here:-

https://easa.europa.eu/agency-measur...bin%20crew.pdf

Class 1 eyesight standards are on page 24

How soon will Gatwick start testing to the new standards?

Are my eyes fit for being a pilot?
 

After a year of putting my dreams of being a pilot aside and simply concentrating on my degree in Aerospace Engineering due to my eye-sight-not-fit-enough worries, I still cannot stop craving to become a pilot. I am now halfway through my degree, and I am also in position to be able to afford lessons.

But first off, I know this question comes up time after time, but I honestly do not understand a lot of the eye sight requirements, so I thought it would be best to just post my prescription:

Right
Sphere: -0.75
Cylinder: -3.50
Axis: 180
Distance acuity: 6/7.5
Near acuity: N5

Left
Sphere: -2.25
Cylinder: -3.25
Axis: 180
Distance acuity: 6/7.5
Near acuity: N5

Back vertex distance: 9mm

Could anyone be kind enough to tell me if my eyes would be ok to pass the Class 1 Medical test?

Also, would you advise on laser eye surgery? I am prepared to undergo the laser surgery if it is of benefit to a career as a pilot.

If all is well, then I am prepared to try and get my Class 1 test done as soon as possible, and start my training.

I know a lot of people would bring up the question regarding whether I understand what it is like to be a pilot etc. And to answer this beforehand, I understand the "stresses" and the lifestyle pilots undergo and have, as I have a family friend who is a recently retired captain which used to work for Cathay Pacific, and he has mentioned quite a lot regarding the lifestyle of pilots etc. Either way, I really do want to get into a career as a pilot, as it simply has been a dream of mine since a very young age. It's just that my eye-sight has always held me back... :(

The easy answer is that your prescription as you have written it is outside published limits.

Nevertheless I think it would be worth having an up to date eye test and asking your optician to fill out the CAA eye examination form, http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/Ophthal...m%20MED162.pdf then submitting the lot to the CAA at Gatwick and asking in writing a) whether you have a chance of Class 1 certification as you stand, and b) if not, would refractive surgery(with all the risks involved) give you a chance.

you can look at
Guidance following eye surgery | Medical | Personal Licences and Training

and http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1859/FinalspeccalcV6.6.xlsx

but for the sake of an eye test and a letter, I would still write to them.

FWIW It looks like you would be ok for a PPL medical but that is not the question you asked.

If that is your best corrected acuity then I'm afraid you don't get an EASA class 1 or 2 medical as both require 6/6 binocular vision , you can however get a LAPL which is the EASA equivalent of the NPPL .

I myself am in the same boat having recently been to see the good people at Gatwick and passed all the Class 1 tests except for the basic eye chart where I scored ( 6/6 -1 ) which means I always miss 1 letter on the 6/6 line as I can't clearly differentiate between O & C , P an F , etc ) on the standard eye chart however I can see 6/5 on the HTOV chart . I was told that even though functionally there is nothing wrong with my eye sight , I fall on the wrong side of 6/6 and thats what the rule says . Also as the Snellen chart is standard , my HTOV results are meaningless , the CAA handbook of Ophthalmology says no mistakes on the standard 6/6 .

My problem can not be corrected by lenses as it is caused by Amblyopia which is a Brain-Eye dysfunction and not refractory in nature . I suggest you go see an Optheometrist to find out why your best corrected is 6/7.5 and if Laser will help or not . Otherwise , you could look in to getting an FAA PPL with a class 3 medical to get around LAPL restrictions , however with EASA rules coming down hard on foreign non commercial licenses and aircraft then it might be a bit pointless . FAA also allows you to get a license with a SODA ( medical flexibility ) , but not sure if you can get Class 1 or 2 with that and even if you could then you'd have to get a job on N-Reg .

Best of luck and hope you can be corrected to 6/6 , I myself am rather miffed at how close I am and the lack of application of common sense ...

From what it says on the CAA website VA of 6/7.5 is ok for class 2, even if his binocular vision is not better than the 6/7.5 corrected stated for each eye.

Visual System GM | Medical | Personal Licences and Training

(2) in the case of class 2 medical certificates, 6/12 (0,5) or better in each eye separately and visual acuity with both eyes shall be 6/9 (0,7) or better.

That's good to know , although is not what the AME at Gatwick told me about 2 months ago . I specifically asked that if I'm not eligible for a C1 if I could get a C2 , he said no as even that requires 6/6 binocular . Maybe its something that changed recently , if I'd known that at the time I wouldn't have cancelled all my PPL arrangements ( time off work , travel , training deposit ,.. ) .

Thank you both Phororhacos and An0maly.
I will be getting my eyes checked over once more and then write a letter to the CAA regarding my eye-sight and whether I have any chances at all to pass the Class 1 medical (with or without refractive eye surgery).

I know the chances are slim, but it's worth a try. It's just so upsetting that everyone in my family has perfect vision, but me, the only one that has interests in flying, has the bad eye-sight. :(

I'll update once I've got a response from the CAA and I'll just hope for the best for now.

Thanks again. :ok:

Be sure to ask the doctor if you can be corrected to 6/6 and if not then why , so you can include that in your letter to the CAA . Saves you going back and forth with them asking for additional reports .

Wish you all the best :ok:

I went to see an optometrist for another eye test as well as a laser consultation. After the eye test, the optometrist said I in fact COULD see 20/20, and my glasses are too strong for my left eye, which he said wasn't good... :eek:

I am also suitable for Lasik eye surgery. I just hope that I still have a chance with the class 1 medical with my pre-op prescription. Nevertheless, I will be sending a letter/email to the CAA asking for advice regarding this issue.

I'll update when I receive a reply, and hopefully it's a good one. :)

Class 1 (or even 2) medical with Amblyopia (lazy eye)
 

Hi all sorry if this has already been covered

I underwent surgery as a child to correct my left lazy eye. However the problem is still here years down the line but only mild.

Does having amblyopia automatically prevent you from gaining a class 1 medical or are there limits on how severe the condition can be

Is it possible to obtain a class 2 much easier?

It would be fantastic to hear from anyone who also has this problem or knows of somebody who has.


Thank you.

Blurry Vision
 

Hello everybody, lately my vision starts to get blurry with night fall. Not sure if I´m spending too much time in front of the computer or if my vision is getting worse. Should I stay away from either computer and television for a few days?
Thanks in advance

I'm a pilot not a doctor.


Age? That's important.


When you say nightfall, do you mean you are actually in reduced lighting?


Have you been checked for cataracts or even just had a standard vision test?


If you splash your eyes with fresh water, do you get an instant improvement?

Is there any redness on the whites of the eyes?


Is there any sign of crusty matter around your eyes in the mornings?

I´m 19 years old, and yes, usually in reduced lighting. I´ve done my Class 1 Medical exam, I´m an ATPL student, and strangely yes, I normally get some crust in the eyes i the morning..

Get it checked out, but just a start.

Your eyesight might well be on the focus-limits for the study work young pilots have to do. Check your best focus distance on the page or monitor and check it against your usual working distance. Many hours spent on limits is very tiring.

Wearing specs was something I had to do when young, but then I didn't need them for years.

Take great care with cleanliness, especially hair and around the eyes. A residual infection should be treated right away, but anyway, resist the temptation to repeatedly rub your eyes when tired etc. Tears contain a fantastic antibiotic, but help them along by taking care.

Blurry Vision
 

Posteriar Vitreous Detachement, PVD an eyesight condition which I understand is age related. It's quite possible pilots of a certain vintage with this eyesight condition, may not be completely aware they have it.

If one senses flickering at the edge of the eye during the day and flashing lights in the dark, it could be one of two things, an optical migrane or the onset of PVD and requires investigation.

Gell is likely to be coming away from the retina, the gell breaks away and floats around. It is possible tear's or hole's can occur to the retina and in extreme circumstances a Retina Detachement, with potential eyesight loss.

If this occurs it can be recoverable, provided you go immediately to an eye hospital. If an eye hospital is not available nearby, then a major hospital with an opthalmic specialist department. Even passing by an optician pop in and they will refer you there and then and call an ambulance.

I recently got PVD and the symptons are, of having an annoying fuzzy veil or lace curtain of patchy gell moving across your vision. Somewhat worse than 'floaters' which most people have at some stage anyway. The gell floates across the back of the lense making vision temporarily look fuzzy, until you blink and try and move the gell away and re focus.

I've always been of the belief age 60 is a pretty good age to hang up the headset, in fact I did it at 58 and glad I did. But to have reached today almost 61 with last eye test -0.0 Dps Left eye + 0.5 Dps Right and +2.25 for reading in both, being able to read one up from the bottom line of the eye test chart to probably still pass a class one but for PVD, would be of concern to me.

I understand most can learn to live with it and ignore its presence.

After having an in depth eye test at my optician, with drops to dilate the pupil to allow the optician to have a very good look into the eye and after having photographs taken of the retina I'm glad to say I have extremely healthy Retina's.

I could be wrong, but I think an AME might not pick up this condition unless one said something, then it could be curtains (excuse the pun) to the rest of your flying career I would suspect.

As I am retired I feel I am able to say the above. If it helps any one actively still flying, it's worth being aware of the condition.

p.s. I am not a medic if some of the above is inaccurate, this is my personal experience and opinion and should not be acted upon.

Unlikely, but not impossible at 19 years old.


There is, or was, an eye surgeon in Colchester, who got a PVD in a car accident in his youth. 'The brain learns to look around it.' He did eye surgery with it like that for decades.

I however, wanted my big blob out of the way.


I've written a lot about PVD.

The operation, a vitrectomy, is not too bad, but there is a strong likelihood of a nuclear cataract forming within a few months. That really confuses the visual grey matter cos the brain tries to multi-lense around the obstructions. Very confusing. This of course requires the lens to be changed.

I would be interested to know if there's a procedure that avoids this unpleasant side effect. One American surgeon recons he lets the new fluid in, in a different place/way and stops the cataract reaction. Never heard any more about it.

British Airways Medical
 

Concerning eyesight, always eyesight :ugh:

I was looking for BA requirements for myopia/astigmatism and their policy about eye surgery, given that I have "To be able to obtain and hold a JAA Class 1 medical and meet British Airways medical criteria".

Does anyone know something about that? Any info would be really appreciated.

Laser eye surgery and the UK CAA.
 

I am an airline pilot in the UK flying G registered aircraft.

I am thinking about having laser eye surgery, LASIK to be more precise. The CAA have told me that is fine but I have to have 3 months off flying after the procedure and then have an exam with their own ophthalmologist.

I would be interested to know if anybody else has had this procedure and what their experiences were especially with regards to the CAA.

Hi,

I am not a pilot and have no experience of the CAA, however I have had LASIK surgery in both eyes. For me it was a good move and I am pleased I had it done although it does mean my dusk/night vision is quite impaired as all lights tend to 'star'. I was warned about lights showing a 'halo' effect, but what I now live with is more pronounced than I ever expected. It might be worth asking your consultant about these effects. I had the wave-front (NASA based) guided laser technology that was the newest available about 8 years ago. Assuming CAA are happy, and consultant provides the right answers for you - then all the best if you go ahead.

I'm a UK pilot too and wear contacts.

I personally wouldn't want to risk my livelihood by having laser treatment. I know the risks are small but also that the results can vary between people for many reasons - risk/reward ratio too high for me as any problems or an unsatisfactory result could mean loss of medical and a career change!

Is there a particular reason you want to bin glasses/contacts for laser?

I'd just be a little wary as I assume this is also your livelihood.

Just my thoughts!

How many Laser Eye Surgeons have had the procedure done to themselves? Most of the ones I see have regular glasses!

Ok,

Thanks for your responses so far.

More after info from any pilots that HAVE had it done. The risks associated with it I can and have weighed up for myself.

Never ever have eye surgery unless it is 100% guaranteed no ill effects! I know people who have spent thousands on surgery but as their vision was really poor they still need glasses!! Also several people suffer blurred night vision after surgery, not great when trying to drive or fly at night in teeming rain with lights coming towards you.
If spectacles do the job perfectly well then stick with those until laser surgery is much more advanced and proven to be more successful

I am a UK ATPL holder. Had lasik surgery at Moorfields London. No dramas had the procedure, follow up the following week, took the drops. Had a 3mnth report from the consultant sent it to the CAA who then asked to see me. Looked into my eyes and sent me home. Been flying ever since without glasses etc.:ok:

BTW, did contact my Loss of Licence provider and asked if I was covered should the consultant accidentally slip and chisel out my eyes. And they said yes it was. Perhaps in hindsight I should have got it in writing but didn't need to as it turned out.

1. The chisel would have prevented you seeing it in writing.

2. You wouldn't have had any hindsight - or much at all.

Don't bother, the risks are against you and if if goes wrong then you have lost your job for life. I went down this path but stayed with the bins, you are better sticking with the glasses to keep your class1/2.

I daresay though that it counted somewhat with the CAA that the procedure was done at Moorfields.

I had LASEK at Ultralase in Leeds. At the time I was around -5.5 in each eye, with astigmatism.

My reasons were that I was in the Army at the time, and sick of wearing contact lenses. I did it without getting permission (I'd asked during my whole Army career and was told not to get it done) as I'd signed off and was in my last year. It resulted in a medical downgrade for 6 months, but I didn't care as I was getting out anyway. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life as a slave to contacts/glasses for short-sightedness, and my father and Aunt had had surgery prior and couldn't rate it highly enough.

I had a Class 2 medical with VDL, and spoke with the CAA (around 2006) at the time to see how I would go on about getting the Class 1, if surgery was allowed, and how to remove the VDL. At the time there was a limit on eyesight prescription for a Class 1. The ruling was that if your eyesight was outside the limit prior to surgery, then having surgery wouldn't be allowed, but if your eyesight was within the limits, then you could have your eyes "lasered" and then be eligible for a Class 1.

So I had surgery in winter 2006/2007, then my Class 1 initial in October 2007. I'd had all the relevant eye tests post-Surgery which everyone was happy with, me especially as I now had better than 6/6 vision and had gone from barely being able to see the second line down on an eye chart while squinting prior to surgery, to reading the bottom line clearly afterwards.

Anyway, I passed the medical fine and was issued a Class 1, being a bit of a guinea pig at the time and attracting the attention of a few doctors and medical folks while at Gatwick... They took turns to view my eyes through their equipment, and said they probably wouldn't have noticed I'd even had surgery if I hadn't told them. So all in all, I was, and still am very pleased.

I don't suffer from any of the halo effects at night, or have any other problems. No dry eyes, or anything else to report. I did have very slight double vision for probably 1-2 months post surgery, which was attributed to the astigmatism correction on my left eye. So my eyes were now focusing slightly differently, but eventually my body would figure it out - this being the only thing I was ever concerned about afterwards. I only noticed when I was on guard duty a few nights one week on an Army exercise. It was a cold, crisp winters night with a full moon, and if I studied it with the naked eye, it was shadowed by an identical image a few millimetres offset. The more I looked at it, the more it would sort itself out, but if I was to turn away and focus on other things, then back to it, it would be doubled again until my eyes sorted themselves out. After 2 months or so after surgery to present, my eyes have been great. All I can describe it as, is when you get an eye test and a new set of glasses with the latest prescription, where everything is crisp and clear without a struggle... I have that all the time. To have that feeling nowadays, having known what it was like to have poor eyesight in the past, and without needing any correction is nothing short of amazing.

All I know, is that now I'm not having to endure a piece of plastic on my eye that I'm paying £20/month for, or wearing spectacles. I can wake up on a morning and see clearly from the off without the visual disability I had suffered prior to surgery. All in all, I'm chuffed and would recommend it to anyone.

Interestingly enough, I also know an eye surgeon who wears glasses! Their view seems to be that people get the op done for purely cosmetic reasons, and it's not really worth the hassle. It's just another thing that people can do once they've had their teeth fixed and whitened, their lipo's suctioned etc.

I don't feel that, and have my own reasons for having the operation. But each to their own.

PRK Eye Surgery and the Class 1 - Australia
 

I have searched for some up to date threads on this but could find anything too recent.

I have PRK back in 2007 in Melbourne and subsequently became a pilot. I am now employed in a small airline. I have just renewed my class 1 and CASA have come back after all this time requesting another opthamologial asessment to check my "contrast sensitivity function". If this is not satisfactory i will lose night flying approval and this will mean losing my job.

Does anyone know what this is? How is it tested?

Has this happened to anyone before?

Im obviously a little stressed right now given the implications.

Cheers - HHH

Do you have any stats to back this up?

Interesting thread...
 

Hello folks, hope everyone is well. I'm glad I discovered this thread. Thought it was just me who was hindered by messed-up eyesight!

Anyway, allow me to provide a bit of background about my predicament.

I had my JAA Class 1 medical at Gatwick, back in September of this year. Everything went perfectly well until...wait for it...the eye test. Passed every single eye test, apart from the reading of the letters from a distance. My right eye, there was no issue at all (could read every line/letter), however, my left eye struggled. To quote what the CAA said when they sent me written clarification about failing the medical:

Going by the CAA then:

Left eye corrected: 6/12

Now, I went to Optical Express this afternoon (yes, it's taken me 3 months to go for an eye test - busy life and all that). They confirmed that I have a "regular astigmatism" to my left eye, which CAN BE CORRECTED with either glasses or (my preferred option) laser surgery.

According to the CAA, I was told that my left eye wouldn't meet the required standards - even when corrected. Not so, according to Optical Express. This is what my prescription says:

RIGHT EYE:
Sphere: -0.25
Cyl: 0.00
Corrected VA: 6/5+

LEFT EYE (the weakest):
Sphere: +0.50
Cyl: +2.50
Axis: 117.0
Corrected VA: 6/6 -2

Safe to say, I'm at a loss trying to get my head around it all. One minute I'm unable to fly an aircraft (commercially), the next I can!:ugh::(

Also, I was considering applying to NATS and doing ATC (it was always my back-up plan, should the commercial pilot route stall) however I appreciate NATS have their own strict visual limits. Bearing in mind I currently hold a JAA Class 2, does this mean that I'd satisfy the criteria for the NATS medical?

Sorry for bombarding with all this, but if someone knows, then I'd be eternally grateful!:ok:

@GlasgowBoy
 

As far as I know, astigmatism must not be more than -2 dioptres, so I assume you failed for your left eye has -2,5. Just my personal explanation ;)
All the best for your career :)

Is laser eye surgery detectable by CAA
 

There are people saying it s hard to hide if you have had laser eye surgery, if it is detectable, how and what s the chance?

Yes, it is possible. Report them before undertaking the medical examination.
I know it is possible to detect it by examining the eye with corneal topography. As far as I am concerned, they don't always perform corneal topography though I would be totally honest.
If you had myopia the number of dioptres you needed is not a problem anymore as there are no pre-operative limits for myopia according to EASA Part-MED.
This should apply to astigmatism too.

I can't say anything about other refractive errors.

Corneal topography is definitely carried out as part of a Class 1 initial at Gatwick.

With any medical history is it always best to be open an honest, there is no point trying to hide a condition as it will be documented somewhere in your medical history.

I've got very poor vision in my right eye after a complicated retinal detachment operation in early November 2012, which was followed by a post operation glaucoma attack a few weeks later. I have a fold behind my macula which makes it very difficult to see things in my central focal point as there is a black line, and I cannot read using my right eye. Also images in my right eye appear lower than normal making double vision when I use both eyes. There was also damage to the optic nerve due to the glaucoma attack which has reduced my peripheral vision. The doctors are fitting me with a prism type lens. I am 49 years and hold a PPL from the Philippines CAAP for about 4 years now with around 200 hrs. I will probably lose my PPL when I go for the medical in Manila this July. Before this disaster happened to my right eye, I was actually planning to convert it to a JAR (EASA) PPL in England in late 2013 as I planned to pursue my dream job as a pilot in the General Aviation field when I retire at 55 (I'm 49 now). Reading these posts gives me hope to continue flying. I was wondering where (and/or who) is the best place in the UK to go for the medical with one bad eye and one good eye; obviously it would be better to go to someone who has experience with this. Any help will be greatly appreciated.:confused:

I personally knew a pilot who was monocular and flew under JAR-OPS as a copilot on a citation. Limited to multicrew.

Laser Surgery + glasses
 

Hello everybody, I have a doubt that I would like to be cleared from anyone. 2 years ago I had Laser surgery to my right eye, now after having my Class 1 Medical certificate, my ophtomologist gave me a pair of glasses to wear whenever my eyesight is tired or when I´m using computer. This because my left eye (the one that´s tired and hadn´t been to surgery) was the one I 'used' for years before I had laser surgery to my right one. So my left eye had to see for both eyes, and that´s the reason it´s ´tired' somedays (0.5 diopter). My question is, can I have any problem at the AME, by wearing glasses and been to laser surgery ? Thanks in advance.