Major airlines and Laser Eye Surgery

[TNHillbilly]

If I was getting ready to interview with a major and have just had lasik will it affect me at all? I heard a rumor that some airlines want you to have had it for several years or something like that. I haven't gotten the surgery yet but I was thinking about it. I would also love commments from people who have had it and any issues they have had. Thanks.

 

[blzr]

If I was getting ready to interview with a major and have just had lasik will it affect me at all? I heard a rumor that some airlines want you to have had it for several years or something like that. I haven't gotten the surgery yet but I was thinking about it. I would also love commments from people who have had it and any issues they have had. Thanks.

Have you, or are you going to tell your Medical examiner? that should be your first step, and worry about the interview second.

 

[CitationLover]

got it Jan 01'. still 20-15. no one needs to know you got it except your AME (and they would have a hard time telling you got the surgery without knowing), but it shouldn't affect you at all at any airline. it is a disqual from military flying though.

the biggest drawback to it is dry eyes, but it isn't that bad. besides its a great excuse to sleep for a day after the surgery.

 

[Whiskerbizkit]

How about getting the job first, then get the lasiks. They cant do anything to you once your hired.

 

[TheBaron]

I waited till my probation year was up. Actually two years because it took me an extra year to catch up from 1st year pay. Best decision I have ever made. I'm reading 3 on the 20/10 line and everything on the 20/15. I haven't had any problems with dry eyes (maybe the first few weeks), in fact, my eyes feel 100x better than when I wore contacts for 16 hours at a time. My night vision has improved greatly; no halos at all. I had the completely bladeless lasik done, called Intralase. It was more expensive but I didn't want to trust my vision to the lowest bidder.

 

[Lear70]

Got it in January of 1994, out of country, before it was legal here (FDA keeps stuff tied up FOREVER).

No dry eyes, nothing until about a year ago and my vision started getting worse again.

Was 20/20, now down to 20/30. Doc says that's normal in some cases. Can still pass the FAA Class 1 but only barely, had to buy my first pair of glasses for the first time in over a decade (vision gets worse when I'm tired and I need 'em).

Interestingly enough, I applied for a military helo position and had the vision check from hell with a military doctor on base up in Ft. Campbell.

He couldn't tell I'd had it done. Never mentioned it to them. Ended up not taking the slot, but after a year or two it's not detectable.

p.s. I'm at a major. Wasn't on the app. Didn't say anything about it.

 

[timetoquit]

Anyone have PRK done?

 

[bubbers44]

I had Lasik done about 8 months ago after I retired and am very happy with the results. I had some haloes but not to affect flying or driving and no dryness after a few weeks. Follow up exam is at the end of the month. Being over 60 of course I need reading glasses but they seem very stable now and have been for a long time so will probably get a pair of progressive glasses like I had when flying to use when I need to see everything from 6 inches to 3 feet like you need in the cockpit. I am going to see about those transition lenses too because I need sun protection too but don't want two pair of corrected lenses.

Don't do the surgery before you get the job. If you go through the FAA you will probably have to fill out a Form 8500-7 which the Eye Dr submits. If you just do it without documenting it on your next physical you risk being charged with falsifying your medical data some time in the future. It could be time consuming dealing with the FAA. I am not making a living flying any more so even though I have the form I probably won't bother with it. The Baron probably can tell you what he went through.

 

[TNHillbilly]

Thanks for all the replies. I have not had it done yet, but i have not been able to wear my contacts because of discomfort...mostly seasonal allergies i think...and I am so sick of my glasses. I have really bad vision, my contacts are -7.5 and -6.25 so obviously I can't fly without correction. Anyone have the surgery that had really bad vision? Also has anyone gone to Canada to get it done??? I had a non pilot friend get it done in Canada and it was less expensive and he was perfectly happy with the results and the level of experience that the lasik center had. Will having it done out of country affect your medical???

 

[LaidOffAgain]

Thanks for all the replies. I have not had it done yet, but i have not been able to wear my contacts because of discomfort...mostly seasonal allergies i think...and I am so sick of my glasses. I have really bad vision, my contacts are -7.5 and -6.25 so obviously I can't fly without correction. Anyone have the surgery that had really bad vision? Also has anyone gone to Canada to get it done??? I had a non pilot friend get it done in Canada and it was less expensive and he was perfectly happy with the results and the level of experience that the lasik center had. Will having it done out of country affect your medical???

Had it done at the Windsor Laser Eye Institute(Dr Tafor? sp) in 2003 and still 20/15. Was 3k but lifetime enhancements. So when the eyes go as I grow older, I can go back and get the same treatment as I had. Or if there are better procedures now available I just pay the difference for the better procedure. So great deal and this guy is a pioneer in Laser surgery. Don't mind being withouth glasses. I was about -2.5 in each eye. Good luck. LOA