Class 1 Medical
 

It looks as though your first question has already been answered. Regarding the blood test, the one for haemoglobin is just a finger prick, which Class 1s should have at every medical. However, a Class 1 requires a cholesterol level at the initial exam. and again at 40, or if there is any doubt about whether it may be raised, and for that, a blood sample will be needed. As far as the lumps in the neck are concerned, it would help greatly if you could take along the report that you received from the doctor who told everything was OK.

BP limits are 150/90 for class 1. Anything in excess of that won't necessarily deny you the issue of the medical, but will delay its issue until you can demonstrate that your normal BP is within these limits.

White coat anxiety is a pain, and much like Heathrow Director, i too don't get along with the blood pressure machines. As mentioned, the AME's are well aware of this! I suggest that when they strap you to the machine, completely relax your body (slouch to the point where you are barely sitting in the chair - so much so that even your head is hanging limp) and control your breathing - deep, slow breaths. Smile and think of something that makes you happy.

All the best.

Myopia surgery
 

Hey guys,

Ane of you have been under eye surgery for myopia ?


I'm thinking about it, but I'm not sure,


Thanks! :ok:

Is it correct that your refractive error is your Sph + (Cyl/2) ? For example: Sph: +3.00 Cyl: -5.25 = (+3.00) + (-2.65) = +0.375?

Just trying to get my head around all this number crunching.

Astigmatism
 

Evening all
Here's the situation. I think that my eyesight falls out of the boundaries by a single point on a single criteria (Cylinder). I've read through this whole thread and there's loads of great info but it's a little hazy on this point.So anyway here's my prescription - if anyone can advise me I'd be very grateful. As far as I can see (haha - not so much) it's only the cylinder I've highlighted that's out by 0.25 which will preclude me from a Class 1 and Class 2 medical.

Thanks for looking :hmm:

Right Left

Sphere -1.75 -1.25
Cylinder +2.25 +1.50
Axis 172 180
Distance Acuity 6/6+ 6/4.5
Near acuity N5 N5

It does certainly seem that there are provisions in place for those who exceed the uncorrected limit.

Visual System GM | Medical | Personal Licences and Training

AI321, best news I've heard in ages, but still a little unclear. I have anisometropia of 2.5 diopters. Am otherwise fine for a class 1.

2 questions:

1. The visual system GM suggests that those who fail the myopia, astigmatism and anisometropia requirements should be referred to the licensing authority and reviewed by an ophthalmologist. Are there cases of anyone subsequently actually getting a class 1 following that review?

2. It may be bad drafting, but the GM suggests that those who should be referred are those who fail all three requirements (ie, those who do not meet the requirements of (ii), (iii) AND (iv). That's not right, is it?

Hi, first of all I got myopia (-7,5 in both eyes). This is beyond the limit for class 1. I don't know about UK, but in Poland new EASA rules replaced JAR just on April 8th. I read new rules and saw that there is a hope in "(2) Initial applicants who do not meet the requirements(...)".
So, I wrote to ULC (polish equivalent of CAA) and got a reply from one of the main licensing guys. He told me, that the rule actually applies and people who do not meet above requirements will be reffered to licensing authority and, if the ophthalmologist gives the green light, there are CHANCES of obtaining class 1.
So, I believe that even if consultation works well for us, licensing authority can still classify us as unfit :ugh:
All I can say for sure is: I don't know any people who passed their 1 class examination that way, mostly because EASA is new in Poland. And for second part of your question, you are right, you will be reffered to licensing authority only if you fail one of the regulations.
I'm going to call to one of the aviation ophthalmologists on Monday, I will ask him what depends on positive consultation resulting in passing class 1 eye examination.
I believe the ophthalmologist will have to do some other eye tests, that are not included in class 1 standard vision examination.
There is some information about it (from CAA website):

Assessment should be conducted by, or under the supervision of, an ophthalmologist and ensure that there is no underlying pathology or other ocular abnormalities. Monocular visual acuities shall be 6/6 or better. Assessment shall include:
1) Dilated, binocular, indirect ophthalmoscopy in cases of myopia exceeding –6.00 dioptres
2) Corneal topography at initial assessment (and at renewal where there is significant change in refraction) in cases of astigmatism exceeding 2.00 dioptres.

So here's the update.
When I called Gatwick to ask if I could book a Class 1 medical, I was, as expected, asked for my glasses prescription.
To cut a long story short, they have invited me for a medical where the opthalmologist is going to examine my eyes more closely. The lady I spoke to said it was very positive, because if it was likely that my eyesight would fail the test they wouldn't have invited me. Fingers crossed....

Easa class one medical help
 

I would love to be an airline pilot it is my all time dream in any capacity in any country to fly a plane and be a pilot! I live in the uk and unfortunately can't pass the class one medical I would pass on every other variable apart from eye sight my refractive error is higher than + 5 apart from this I'd pass! Is there ANYTHING I can do to get a class one? I'm aware the CASA and FAA do not set limits on refractive error could this be an option anything at all I'm willing to do please help any advice is appreciated ! Cheers !

Darn! Life is a bi*ch sometimes!

Have you asked this question to the guy who did your medical?

Otherwise find a way to emigrate and start your flying career in the US (I know that's much easier said than done though)

P.S. It's probably wise to phone up a few eye doctors and see what they have to say on the matter :ok:

Blooming tell me about it!!! I haven't actually done the medical yet! Just done abit of pre research before I splash out 200 quid I've emailed the CAA for advice and few other independent caa officers I had a reply off one and he said refractive surgary is usually accepted lets hope!!!!!!

Class one medical vision help!!!
 

Hi I've always wanted to be an airline pilot always! However I understand that to pass a uk caa class one med you need to have a LOWER refractive error than +5 I'm over by 1 and 1.5 In my left and right eye respectively is there anything that I can do ?!?!?!? Anything at all to become a pilot

Is there anything that I can do abroad ?

Is there anything I can do in the uk?

Is the CAA class one defiantly out of reach for me ?!?!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated !

Using glasses - Tell CAA when? Do I need to tell?
 

If you hold a valid Class 1 medical and you are able to pass it without glasses.

But you don't have 1,0 on each eye but you are within the limits to pass the Class 1 without restrictions. You maybe have around 0,8 or 0,9. Then you don't need glasses to pass the Class 1 medical.

You also do not use glasses in your normal daytime. But you feel that when driving car in dark and sometimes day or watching tv you can cope without glasses but you sometimes feel that it would feel more relaxing to your eyes if you had a couple of glasses to get a little more clear sight.

If you get glasses only for those occasions, sometimes for car driving and tv watching. Is that something you need to tell your medical examiner or CAA?

If I understand the rules correctly it says that if you need glasses regulary you should tell the CAA or medical examiner. But in this case when you only wish to use glasses now or then on special occasions but not all day long. And you still pass Class 1 medical without glasses.

Do I need to tell the CAA about that? Or where is the line between using glasses regulary and not?

Thanks!

Tell the doc at your medical and he may say you have to carry a spare pair of specs. Happens to all of us as we age.

Please help vision question
 

I'm about to send my vision off to mr chorley at gatwick, I've been told by an AME that you can pass the vision even if you're over +5 now with extensive tests my vision is ...

5.5 S + 1.25 C in my left 6/6

6.5 S + 1.25 in my right 6/7.5

What are the chances of me getting through my vision?

I'm 17 and have had that same prescription for the last 10 years

I also wear contact lenses !

Pilot job prospects with glasses ?
 

Hi I'm 17 and have always wanted to be a pilot :-)

I am applying for a CAA class one medical shortly to hopefully enable me to continue with my dream! Hopefully il pass :-)

However I have a high prescription my eyes aren't great however there corrected to the required standard and I'm told I still can pass with further eye checks !

Just wondering will the fact I have glasses and a high prescription affect me when applying for jobs ? Will it make me a less attractive candidate to airlines or as long as I have my class one medical will I be ok?

My eyes again to reiterate Are corrected to just as good as everyone else (6/6 20/20) I just have a strong prescription !


Do airlines even look further than the class one or will presenting that on interview or application be enough ?
Will my prescription affect me?
Thanks very much!

Let me google that for you

:O Sorry I couldn't help myself, just a bit of a joke. Information is as below. Generally once you have passed the initial medical you are sorted as long as your eyesight can be corrected adequately. Companies would not frown on poor eyesight as long as it is corrected, I'm pretty sure.

Initial Class 1 (Professional Pilot) Medical Examination | Medical | Personal Licences and Training

Initial Class 1 (Professional Pilot) Medical Examination Eyesight - Eye examination form (MED 162)

Eyesight requirements are listed in the Class 1 Visual Standards guidance material. If you wear glasses or contact lenses it is important to take your last optician’s report along to the examination. An applicant may be assessed as fit with hypermetropia not exceeding +5.0 dioptres, myopia not exceeding -6.0 dioptres, astigmatism not exceeding 2.0 dioptres, and anisometropia not exceeding 2.0 dioptres, provided that optimal correction has been considered and no significant pathology is demonstrated. Monocular visual acuities should be 6/6 or better.

Pilot job prospects with glasses ?
 

Are you eligible for eye surgery (I mean technically speaking) ? It might be your best bet, not mentioning the huge convenience factor (I can personally attest :).

Thanks for you're replys! I can pass (so I've been told ) and my eyes are corrected to 20/20 so that's good positive news ! Thank you :-)

ehhh Lasic is a complicated area, I believe you can't take an initial within something like a year of the operation, and if you already have a medical it becomes invalid for perhaps the same amount of time.

Simply,

If you meet the required standard for issue of a class 1, and can maintain that standard for as long as you want to be a pilot for, no company will care about your eyesight (as long as you wear corrective lenses and carry a spare pair, as per the restriction on your medical).

GCAA vision test
 

Hi everyone,

I'm wishing to apply for an Arab airline but I have an eye issue and I would appreciate your opinion. I have a retina scar on my left eye that takes me part of my central vision. (Kind of monocular central vision, but I have periferical visual field and depth perception). I'm flying with this issue for 15years with an ICAO first class's medical with a special issuance, and I once successfully applied for JAA and FAA class one medical with this special issuance too. But didn't find this possibility at the GCAA or CAAP assesment publications.
Do you have any experience about this to share? Or any useful information about it?
Best regards

Just looking at the requirements post-LASIK:

"iii) Pre-operative refraction should not have been greater than +5.00 dioptres. No refraction limits apply to myopia, astigmatism or anisometropia."

What exactly is the 'pre-operative refraction' that should not have been greater than +5.00? Is that the Sph values? As there are no limitations on astigmatism ect?

Any help would be very appreciated as this would clear it all up for me!

You should check directly with the CAA to be sure, but somewhere in the EASA medical documents, the refractive error is defined as the error in the worst median, so that means it's the sum of the sphere + astigmastism.

FAA Visual Acuity
 

Hello all,

I currently hold an Australian (CASA) Class I medical certificate - the visual acuity requirements stipulated by CASA are better than 6/6 (20/20) vision binocular and better than 6/9 (20/30) in each eye (corrected or uncorrected).
My eyesight is 6/5 in my right eye and 6/9 in my left due to a diagnosed astigmatism in my left eye. As this meets the CASA requirements (my binocular vision is 6/5 also), I do not wear corrective lenses.
I am considering undertaking an FAA First Class examination and note that the visual acuity requirement for each eye (corrected or uncorrected) is 20/20 (6/6). At this stage I have advice that corrective lenses may not be capable of correcting the acuity in my left eye to 20/20.
I am aware of an FAA "Authorization" being granted for some medical conditions. I am also aware that the form 8500-7 allows for a ophthalmic report to be assessed by the FAA and consideration given to things such as "quality of binocular vision" etc.
This leaves me with two questions which the community may be able to assist with:
Does the FAA ever grant an "authorization" for less than 20/20 vision in one eye for a First Class medical?
Has anyone had LASIK performed for an astigmatism condition?
As I am in Australia, the options of organising a Statement of Demonstrated Ability would be difficult and expensive to organise - and I don't know if they do these for First Class Medicals for visual acuity anyway...
Any other advice would be gratefully received.

Thank you. Do you know if the maths rule of negatives and positives applies? Eg. negative and negative = plus. Sounds really stupid but if unsure, no worries. I'll clarify with the CAA. Thanks.

That's actually a good question, and the answer is a little bit complicated because opticians use two different forms of written refraction.

If you're long-sighted, and your prescription is of the form +A.AA +B.BB, then the refractive error in the worst median is A.AA + B.BB.

If your prescription is of the form +C.CC -D.DD, then the refractive error in the worst meridian is C.CC.

Still unclear
 

Hi, thanks for your explanation. It seems that you know what you are talking about so I'm going to pose another question or two to you.

I have been scouring the forums to determine whether I can pass the vision requirements for the EASA Medical 1.

We are all aware of the following requirement, but the part in bold is what is confusing.

At initial examination an applicant may be assessed as fit with:
(i) hypermetropia not exceeding +5.0 dioptres;
(ii) myopia not exceeding –6.0 dioptres;
(iii) astigmatism not exceeding 2.0 dioptres;
(iv) anisometropia not exceeding 2.0 dioptres
provided that optimal correction has been considered and no significant pathology is demonstrated.

I have astigmatism of 2.25 (my prescription is -1.25, -2.25 one eye, with a similar presciption in the other, but not quite so bad). With glasses, my vision is excellent with full 20/20 vision in both eyes. Does the bold part of the requirement above mean that my vision is acceptable as "optimal correction has been considered" (i.e. my glasses fully correct the error?)

Also, some people seem to suggest that it is possible to get the FAA medical certification in the US (which doesn't have the astigmatism requirement) and then apply for an EASA Class 1 recertification, which also allows for greater astigmatism. Does anyone know if that is really that case? If you have the FAA cert, do you have to meet the initial or recertification EASA requirements?

Thanks in advance to any responses.

Dream not becoming true?
 

Hello, everyone!

My name is Richard, I'm 17 and I have been in love with aviation since my childhood. I still got 1-2 years left in school but as I'm thinking ahead , I decided to go check my medical according to JAA 1st Class Requirements with some local doctors. Everything was quite well till I got results from my eye doctor. She told me I got (Microstrabismus + Astigmatismus myopicus) which results in my vision alternating from Binocular to monocular and that I will never become a commercial pilot. :\ But as I am an optimist, I also made contact with another doctor which says that he thinks there is no point in having a corrective operation , because it will most likely result in double vision and that I will still not achieve binocularity. So my questions for you guys are:
1.) Has anyone of you guys had similar problem, which you have fixed with operation or in any other way?
2.) Can I become a commercial pilot in other places like America or Australia with this kind of problem?
3.) Is there a chance that in few years this restriction will be uplifted?

This is a real shame. Most doctors think they are heroes, because they are saving the day by not letting guys like me to fly , but the only thing that they are doing is breaking our dreams!

I am very keen for your answers guys!

Hi there - just a quick question that someone may be able to assist with.
Do you, or do you know of anyone, who has been issued with an FAA First Class Medical who has LESS than 20/20 CORRECTED vision in one eye? (Binocular vision better than 20/20 - other eye better than 20/20)
I am about to consider a major career change and need to know if I should even get the ball rolling. I am unable to achieve 20/20 in one eye (I get about 20/25 corrected and 20/30 uncorrected) and I have an FAA Form 8500-7 from an ophthalmologist that states that I have no other visual acuity problems - am I in with a chance?
The fact that Form 8500-7 exists suggests there is room for approvals such as this, but it would be good to hear from someone who has had similar experience before I upheave my life!

Monocular pilot seeks commercial licence
 

I have had a lifelong ambition to become a pilot. However, I have less than 20/200 (6/60) in one eye but normal 20/20 (6/6) vision in the other eye. Looking on the CAA website and contacting them directly would suggest that I will not be able to obtain a Class one medical.

However, on this, and other forums I have seen that monocular commercial pilots do exist. Does anyone have any advice on the next steps?

can someone help explain what/ if there is anything i can do or give up?

here's my prescription details:

Distance

right:
Sphere +0.50
Cyl -2.00
Axis 180
Aided VA 6/18+2

Left:
Sphere - 0.25
Cyl -2.50
Axis 15
Aided VA 6/5-3

Binocular PD 67.0

I hope that makes sense to someone, it's a foreign language to me.

Initial Class one eyesight - am I OK?
 

I know there have been many threads on eyesight requirements but would really appreciate it if someone could cast an eye over my results.

my most recent eyesight test showed

Right eye sph +1.75 ; cyl -0.5 ; Axis 85

Left eye sph +0.25 ; cyl -0.25 ; axis 5.6

From the CAA website

(d) Refractive error
(1) At initial examination an applicant may be assessed as fit with:
(i) hypermetropia not exceeding +5.0 dioptres;
(ii) myopia not exceeding -6.0 dioptres;
(iii) astigmatism not exceeding 2.0 dioptres;
(iv) anisometropia not exceeding 2.0 dioptres;
provided that optimal correction has been considered and no significant pathology is demonstrated.

I do not understand how the astigmatism and anisometropia of 2.0 is calculated (am I only 0.25 outside the 1.75 limit in my right eye)?

Am I correct in saying I can have a class one issued even though I currently wear glasses.

Thanks in anticipation.

Plan
 

I've just got my initial class 2, the AME said I would struggle with a class 1 because my left eye is 6/4 but with 2.5 astigmatism, my right eye is 6/12 with amblyopia. However, has improved since I started wearing glasses in January from 6/18-2!

I need perseverance suggestions, such as going to get my initial in the USA with a SODA, converting it, then getting a CAA renewal in the UK.

CAA Initial Class 1 Medical Problem
 

Today I checked on the CAA Website, and I checked my Lens Prescription on there "Spec Calculator" - What I found out is my Lens Exceed the 2.0 for astigmatism. However It say's that I am unfit to pass the Initial Class 1 but if I was renewing a class 1 Medical I would be seen as fit. Is their anyway I can get around this, It seems a Bit weird how I can't get the Initial Class 1 but I was to renew a Class 1 I would be seen as fit.

thank-you

tri-focal glasses
 

Hi,

since a few years ago, I've been using corrcfive lenses (glasses) for both near and distant vision correction. Not much correction is needed, but when the (outside) light gets low, I start putting them on.

I have bi-focal glasses with near vision correction on the lower part and the distant vision part on the upper part. This doesn't help me though when looking at my overhead panel which is about 30 cm away from my eyes.

Until now, I've been pulling down my glasses when I wanted to read the overhead panel, but now I have been informed that there are tri-focal lenses that have another near vision part at the top. They are not cheap and before I order some, I'd like to here from anybody about her/his experience with them.

Thanks in advance!

That's exactly the same problem which I had, especially at night with the overhead. Varifocals didn't work satisfactorily for me in such a confined space as a cockpit with so many rapid changes of vision depth necessary.
A good pair of trifocals, at considerable cost, with my old bifocals as back up in the flight bag, worked well. I had the lenses coated for extra protection and took very careful care of them, wearing one of those granny strings around the neck lest one hurl them around the cockpit in moments of fury at the activities of crewing.

Hello everyone,
I have one question regarding the EASA Initial Class 1.
I have read the specific documents about visual requirements but I am not sure I understood well. My left eye condition is -2.75 dioptres with -0.50 astigmatism. I have read that the sight defect should not exceed 3.0 dioptres: now my question is does it count -2.75 - 0.50 = -3.25 and therefore I would not pass the Initial Class 1?

Now I sent an email to an Aeromedical Centre here in Germany where I live with the same question and the answer was "Your eyes should not be a problem", which is not very reassuring as the initial check would cost me nearly €500.

Thanks a lot.

EASA class 1 renewal and eyesight deterioration
 

Hi folks. I currently hold a UK issued EASA class 1 but suspect at my next renewal I might be marginal on the distance vision. I'm not sure if this is due to tiredness or too much time in front of a monitor but Nevermind. I have no restrictions on my medical at the moment.
I will most likely book in for an eye test this week but I was wondering what I need for my next renewal. Do I just turn up with a pair of specs (plus spare) and list it as a change since my last medical or is there paperwork the optician needs to fill out to satisfy the AME/CAA?

Any advice appreciated.