Years ago I passed the class 1 medical with glasses and a prescription of -4.5 and -5.5 diopters, at the time the limit was 5 diopters so the doc tried to talk me out of sending in the paperwork saying I would not pass. He almost convinced me, I told him to send it anyway and was approved.

it's the landings mate....
 

BC,

Opposite problem says the missus.......she's putting bromide in my tea.

It's the landings mate , you would think they would get better after 4000 or so . Classic example was a 'land' and hold short last night...... Flopt again.:ugh:

Flopt

Thanks for the info Mr Bomb

You had obviously considered this very carefully before embarking and I understand very well.....

During a visit to an optometrist, I inquired about contact lenses - the usual questions regarding requirements for fitting and cost etc. The reply was, "You're too old......"; meaning the vainity side of not wearing spectacals.:hmm: I was too dumbfounded at the time for an appropriate response to that statement; even if I'm on the downhill side of 40.

downhill side of 40!!!!!!!!!!!
 

TK,
Find a more interested and understanding optometrist who will take the time to explain your options properly........i.e. stay away from the chain stores.....those guys are on commision/'capture rates' to produce a script in 16 minutes.........

The problem with contact lenses or Lasik or other 'refractive surgery' for 'over forties' is that if your distance vision is corrected perfectly [which I think is the best option ,as it gives you the best depth perception, needed for example for night landings] then you have the same problem anyone with lifelong perfect vision will have [like me].........you will need reading glasses as well.......hit me like a ton of bricks the morning Iturned 46.......and I have long arms! But a trendy little pair of 1/2 glasses [as well] soon solves that problem.:8

Flopt [CPL,optometrist]

I am another .........
started flying at 16.. wore trendy(for the 1970's!) black horned rim glasses.
The prescription changed several times until I was 22, and been about the same ever since............

I am -4 in one eye, -6 in the other and wear toric contact lenses(astigmatism as well)

FLOPT- I too started having problems reading small print at about 47, had to get 'look overs' at 48, held off the doc at arms length re putting 'reading glasses required' on my medical until I was 51 (now 53)

I have considered laser treatment, but I tolerate contacts well, I really need my class one, so surgery to me is a last resort, I dont want to take the risk....................

Cheers
:ok:

Please Help!!!
 

has anyone got any idea on the following...

I failed CAA class 1 medical last Feb in Gatwick. I am long-sighted and the restrictions go to +5 dioptres; my left eye is +5.5 and my right eye is +6. needless to say I failed the medical.

I have been advised by pilots that I work with to go down the surgical route but the CAA say that they WILL NOT accept this and that they WILL be able to tell if i have had the surgery. Also it is not guaranteed to work as I am long sighted the results of eye surgery for such cases are alot less proven and because I am quite far in long-sighted terms it will cost up to £3,000 PER EYE.

I have heard random people talking about eye exercises which I am about to start but any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. I am 25 and this is and has been my dream. I want it so much and possibly even more so now that there is this obsticle. I can see fine with my glasses on but as per usual the CAA are having none of it.......

Hello everyone,
Thank you so much for your responses, it makes me feel so much better. I'm booked in on Tuesday to an eye specialist, so I am looking forward to getting my glasses and hopefully, if mum and dad can help some contacts.
To be honest I was going to purchase a headset off the net on Friday night last week (8 days ago). But I decided night, because I was so worried that I might not be able to become a pilot.

Thanks for the great responses I am really lucky to have access to such a great community. I have ordered that headset last night by the way, thanks to you guys. I have a lesson tomomorow at YMMB, stalls :). So all is well.
Thanks again everyone.

Don't Stress
 

Hey there tiger dont stress, im 6/12 6/15 and fly with glasses without a problem on class 1 medical (corrected 6/6 6/7.5). Stick with it and keep working hard I'M sure you will get there.
VH-FTS yes the RAAF have relaxd their requirements, I have just gone through the hoops to be ruled out on another eye realted issue, although I think i was right on the border line, the doc told me i would probable get through. Shame really had go through all the testing and interviews and would have been on the waiting list for flight screening in tamworth. Damn my poor genetics :ugh: