CX's requirement for eye vision

[SAFE88]

I have myopia and both eyes are pretty bad. Both are -5.0.

I'm not too sure about CX's vision requirements/minimums but I found on Singapore Airline's website that their vision requirements for their own CP programme are equal or less than -5.0.

If that's the case for CX, then I'm pretty much on the borderline. And will I just be wasting my time if I continue trying out for CX CPP, and aviation in general?

Thanks in advance.

[holdmetight]

safe88

And will I just be wasting my time if I continue trying out for CX CPP, and aviation in general?

No way.

I can tell you that the visual requirements for the SIA CPP are quite acute, but not so commonly seen in the world of civil aviation. I personally know people who have passed the CX medical check and had (much) more than -5.0 of myopia. I have -5.5 in my right eye, and I had no problems with getting an Australian Class 1 Medical. As long as your myopia is correctable, you will get your medical certificate. The world of commercial flying definitely isn't closed because you have too much myopia; IMO the doctors are more concerned with whether your eyes have problems that are uncorrectable and unacceptable for flying (e.g. colour blindness), or that have long-term implications. I think your -5.0 myopia in each eye, per se, won't deny you your medical.

Hope this helps.

[lee_apromise]

I remember someone posted on pprune that HKCAD class 1 medical is the same as the one for UK CAA.

I have -5 diopters for both of my eyes, had eye muscle imbalance (lazy eye caused by muscle imbalance) and i did a surgery to correct it. My doc recommended me to do some eye muscle exercise for 1 month and I passed AUS CASA class 1 medical requirement.

I showed him UK CAA Class 1 medical requirement for eyes and he said "that is really slack compared to Australian standard".

As long as you satisfy UK CAA requirement, you should be fine in my opinion.

[SAFE88]

Thanks a lot for your feedback guys!

[Crazyworld]

do you really think that the CAA should consider to drop their JAA class 1 medical eye restriction?

[holdmetight]

do you really think that the CAA should consider to drop their JAA class 1 medical eye restriction?

Not quite sure what the JAA Class 1 medical eye restriction is, but IMO myopia shouldn't really be a limiting factor in anyone's flying career anymore. As long as it is correctable, why should it matter how bad it is?

[bingo_bango]

Thats not entirely true. If you are really short-sighted (myopia) it means you will require thicker lenses. I'm not an expert but I believe the CAA might have these restrictions because of this.

The thicker the lens means peripheral vision is highly distorted and massively reduced around the edges of the lens. Not good for lookouts!! As you are aware, recent improvements have enabled opticians to reduce the thickness and therefore improving vision. This is probably why the CAA have been relaxing the restrictions

This is my opinion so feel free to correct me if i'm wrong....

Bingo

[SAFE88]

Let's just say there's always a preference for those with heathier vision. There can't be no reason for Singapore Airlines to set a maximum limit of -5.0

[holdmetight]

There can't be no reason for Singapore Airlines to set a maximum limit of -5.0

And I think I've found out why, I stand corrected!

Retinal Tear and Detachment

Makes me wonder though, how the aviation world does not have a single conclusion about myopia and its acceptable standards. Some aviation authorities are more lenient, some less so. Maybe it has something to do with a certain demograph? E.g. ethnicity, age, gender?

[jubilee2000]

HMT

does it mean people with Retinal Tear and Detachment can't be a commercial pilot? even they did surgery and recovered?

[holdmetight]

jubilee2000

I'm not really in a position to give you a definite answer, you'll have to ask an aviation doctor if you want to know. I'm quite sure though, that if you do your CX medical and they find you have an existing retinal detachment, you will be out of the picture.

[lee_apromise]

Minimum requirement of UK CAA is -6 diopters. As people age, by mid 20s, eye sight deterioration gets stabilised.

For some reason, Aus CASA doesn't state minimum requirement for eye sight for myopia as long as it is correctable to 60/60 with glasses.

Even hardcore Korean airlines have dropped their requirement to "as long as it is correctable to 60/60".

Don't give up hopes people.

[SAFE88]

Great find there holdmetight.

That's some concrete evidence to the reasoning behind the myopic restrictions. Sad to hear but great information to keep inside ur head.

[princyroxx]

hellol frnds

i wanted to knw my left eye power is -5.25 myopia and my right is around -4.75 myopia..i have cleared all my interview rounds with singapore ailrines for cabin crew position and now m scared bcoz my pre medical examination,my eyesight power is high.rest all my medical reports are normal..so pls let me knw is there any criteria for SIA..pls...

[sunny_liverpool]

I am curious to know if anyone has done a laser eye surgery and passed the airline medical check?

personally I wear glasses too and found lots of information about Lasik and other laser eye surgery. Despite those operations can correct myopia, they bring side effects (almost to everyone) such as poor vision at night and under sharp light.

However, I don't know if the side effects are long lasting or just temporary. It may be temporary as some airlines accept Lasik with 6-12 months cooling period. Is it true that airlines, expecially KA and CX, will not hire such candidates?

[Horntail]

sunny_liverpool,

I passed my final interview some two years ago and am still in the holding pool.

I had corrective surgery done 10 years ago prior to beginning my aviation career, and during the final stages of the CX interview their only demand was that my Danish AME needed to do an extended eye exam when returning home.

As a final comment I must say that I'm not quite sure that CX is the place for me anymore... But let's see what they have to offer!

Regards,

Horntail

[WaldoPepper]

Jubilee200,

I currently work for CX and had retinal tears and the laser surgery to correct it last year.

All I had was 1 month off, a CAD Opthalmological exam and was back flying.

As far as Laser surgery in general, I had LASEK done in Australia and 3 years later joined CX with no issues other than having to do an extra eye exam every year.