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I have had the lasiks procedure done will that interfer with my
certifacation. Jake
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You must not fly for six weeks after surgery...and submit FAA form 8500-7 to
your AME or the FAA. You can get the form from your AME.
Dr. Roberts
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How does the FAA view LASIK Vision correction surgery ? What do the regulations
say and what must one do viz-a-viz the FAA after having the operation ? Would
appreciate if the answer relates to private pilots with third class medical. Tank
you in advance Yannis
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Yes, it is approved by the FAA. But the FAA likes to see about 12 weeks pass
in order to let your vision stabilize. You will need to have your eye
surgeon complete form 8500-7.
Dr. Roberts
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Dr. Roberts; I am considering LASIK surgery and it seems most discussions focus
on RK and PRK, both procedures which involve cutting up to 90% of the tissue,
where LASIK only affects 10%. What are the effects on my current 1st Class
Medical? How soon can I fly and flight instruct after the surgery? (Will I end
up being grounded for a period of time?) What is the reason that the FAA takes
such hard-line position for a procedure that has been around for such a long time
with such excellent results? E
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Lasik eye surgery is amazing. Pilots often report instantaneous vision correction. The FAA likes to
see about a six to twelve week stabilization period. Here is their official position:
"An applicant who has been treated with refractive surgery may be issued a medical certificate
by the Examiner if the applicant meets the visual acuity stnadrds and the Report of Eye Evaluation
indicates that healing is complete, visual acuity remains stable, and the applicant does not suffer
from significant glare intolerance. The state of recovery is usually reached within 6-12 weeks
after surgery. The Examinermay, of course, defer issuance and forward the opthomological report to
CAMI"
In plain terms, this means that you are not to fly for 6 weeks, and that
you have to submit FAA form 8500-7 either directly, or to your AME. Form
8500-7 is available from your AME.
SkyDoc
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Dear Dr Roberts: Six months ago I had cataract surgery replacing both eye lenses with Interocular
lenses, resulting in 20/20 in one eye, and 20/45 vision in the other eye. I fly on a third-class
medical, which had expired a few months before the surgery. Will I have a problem getting a medical? Alan
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Should not be a problem. Go by your AME's office and pick up FAA form
8500-7 and take it to your opthomologist. Have him fill it out, and mail it to the FAA.
Dr. Roberts
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Hello, I'm a31 y.o male who is attending to become a commercial pilot. One year ago while in the
Navy I fell and hit my head, causing a retinal deattatchment. I immediate surgery. A scleral
buckle was performed on each eye. My main concern is that I'm wondering if I can still fly for a
commercial airline. My vision is correctable to 20/20. Ronald
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Should not be a problem as long as you correct to normal.
Dr. Roberts
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I am a 54yo who has always wanted to fly. Generally, I have been fortunate to
remain relatively healthy as I age. My eyesight (I suffer from a lazy eye) is
about 20/200 and uncorrectable. Would I be able to qualify for some
certification to fly as a general aviator?
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Yes, you should be able to get a special issuance for a medical certificate. You
will need to get form 8500-7 (eye examination form) from your AME. Take it to
your optometrist or opthomologist and have him fill out both sides. Submit that
to your AME at the time of your medical. He will defer the application to the
FAA, and they probably will issue to you, assuming there is no eye disease.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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Dear Dr. Stephen, I just took a eye exam this month 7/98 the last exam was in 96 my vision is
2020 2025 uncorrected however after the last exam the doctor wants to recheck the eye
pressure for Glacoma. He stated it was a little high in the reading. I am 40yrs old with no
history of it in my family. My question? I know its treatable but is it a factor for a
medical, IF I have it.
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As long as it is under control, there should be no problem. You
will have to submit to the FAA the Glaucoma form 8500-14.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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I lack normal stereopsis according to standard vision tests. What are the
implications of this in regard to flight medical qualifications? Travis
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You are allowed up to 5 diopters of correction for first and second
class. It is not a factor for third class.
Happy flying, Stephen
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I would like to get a Third Class Airman Medical Certificate. The vision in my
right eye is 20/20, but my left eye is 20/300 and is not correctible to anywhere
near 20/40. Would this prevent me from getting the Medical Certificate?
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As long as one eye corrects to 20/40 or better, you can get approval
thru the FAA. In fact, pilots with one eye can get approval to fly. You
need to get form 8500-7 from your friendly AME and have it filled out by
your eye doctor. Give the completed form to your AME, and he will defer
your application to OK City, along with this form.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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In an infomercial about refractive sugeries(lasik in particular) a navy
doctor spoke about the posibility of Lasik being accepted in terms of future
pilot applicants (at least to the navy). I was wondering if you might know any
more information concerning this. Any comments would be appreciated. Brian
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Yes, Lasik eye surgery is acceptable by the FAA. Once post-op, you will have to
have your eye doc complete the official eye form, 8500-7. The FAA likes to have
three months pass post-op to make sure that the post-op vision has stabilized.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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I've had major surgery for a detached retina in one eye which left me with 6/200
vision in the affected eye. The other eye is 20/20 with corrective lenses, and
handles a large portion of my depth perception requirements. Do I have any chance
of obtaining a private/recreational pilot's license? Jason
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Yes sure, as long as one eye is doing the job. You didnt say what the
corrected vision was in your bad eye. You will need to get form 8500-7
from your ame's office and have your eye doc complete it. Forward that
to the FAA. They will then contact you. By the way, bet you didnt know
that pilots can fly with one eye, as long as they have gone through the
approval process.
Goodluck,
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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How hard is to get a medical wavier, for a first class medical standing,
specifically the rule that says you must have 20/20 vision corrected or
uncorrected? What are the affects of age (to young or to old) on reciving a
medical wavier Chris
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The standards changed in September of 1996 so that there are no
uncorrected vision limitations. But you still must correct to 20/20 or
better for a first class medical.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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I have a +5 diopter, so I passed the Class III physical, but was wondering what
the restrictions are for Class II and Class I. I've checked the FAR and there
are no details on this for any of the physicals. Thanks!
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Five or less.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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My wife is a student pilot and surprisingly failed her 3rd class medical due to
vision. She has 20/20 one eye, 20/50 the other. When she went to the eye doctor
he told her that her weak eye could not be corrected as she has right eye
refractive amblyopa (?). Is there a way to work around this so she can get a
medical?
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Sure. Have her get FAA form 8500-7 from your AME, and take it to
your eye doctor. Have the eye doctor complete it, then mail it to the
FAA, and request a special issuance. Should be no problem, as long as
one eye corrects to third class standards. Even pilots with one eye are
eligible.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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What are the options for someone who did not pass color test?
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The answer depends in part as to which class medical you are
applying for. Since Sept of 96, an airman only need see those colors
that are needed to fly safely. Some AME's are using Ishiharas still. You
can always apply for a waiver by contacting your local Flight Standards
District Office (FSDO). They will meet you at the tower, and have the
contoller flash different colored lights at you. If you pass, you get a
waiver.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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have you ever run across pilots having trouble with obtaining a class 1 medical
due to having had eye surgury, specificly an RK, and having a resulting 20/20 in
both eyes with glasses...or is it just the airlines and employers who get weird
with this? Dave
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About three months post-op you need to visit your eye Dr., and
have him fill out the FAA Eye Exam Form (Form 8500-7, available from
your friendly AME). Assuming that your vision corrects to first class
standards, you should have no problem. Each major carrier reserves the
right to set its own medical standards. I expect RK to be more and more
accepted as time marches on.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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Can I have the RK or laser surgery on my eyes and not cause a problem with my
medical?
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Should be no problem, but you will have to submit to your AME
the Ophthalmology Form. Call your AME and have him mail you one in advance
of your appt. Have that form filled out by your eye surgeon.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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I have had RK. Is that a problem with the FAA?
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RK is no problem, but you have to submit the ophthalmology form to your
AME. Call your AME and have him mail you a form. Get it filled out, and
take it to him when you go for your medical. This form lets the FAA know
that your surgery worked, and that your vision is stable.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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Can a person with cataracts get a first class medical?
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Yes, as long as you can see. But when cataracts obscure your vision, then they are not acceptable, and require surgery. Once your vision is corrected, you can then fly again.
Dr. Roberts, SkyDoc
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