Concern About 20/20 Vision Test – First-Class Medical

[sam7]

Hello,
In April 2026, I completed my First-Class medical exam and passed. However, I had some difficulty with the vision test. I wear glasses and had them on during the exam, but I needed three attempts to pass the 20/20 vision test.
Because of this, I was concerned that my vision might not be fully correctable to 20/20. To confirm, I visited two doctors—an optometrist and an ophthalmologist—and both confirmed that I do have 20/20 vision with my current glasses.
I wanted to ask if this situation is normal. I was able to pass the vision test easily at both doctors’ offices, but it was more difficult during the AME exam.
I am a bit concerned about my next renewal and whether I might have trouble passing the vision test again. I am considering asking my doctor to complete FAA Form 8500-7 for my next exam, in case it helps with the vision portion.
Please let me know your thoughts or any recommendations. Thank you.

 

[Waldom]

Qualification: I know nothing about ophthalmology. I have simply taken a lot of airman physical exams, the last few decades with bifocal eyeglasses.

If you are looking into a vision test viewer, having the machine tilted at the correct angle makes a big difference. Most are adjustable and it makes the bottom lines hard to read if the viewer is tilted up too far.

If you are wearing graduated bifocals, you may still have to tilt your head up and down to get the proper lens correction in front of your eyes.

My ophthamologist completed the 8700-3 form after cataract surgery several years ago and my AME and the FAA aeromedical branch had no issue with that. If your distant vision is corrected to 20/20 without any surgery or other complications, I'm not sure it is wise to get an 8700-3 into consideration if it is simply to attest to your vision. I think I would consult a professional aeromedical advisory service before you do that. There are a few out there and if you are an AOPA member you can go through the one they use for advice.