Vision Question

[Way2Broke]

I have a question about the eye exam. Its not for me thank god because I have better than 20/20, thank god (for now anyways). Every time my friend gos to the doc and they have the machine for the eye test instead of the wall chart they do not do so hot. When she gos to the eye doc she always tests stronger than at the AME's office. I don't understand it, but I think it might just be nerves. Something about, "hey, if you screw this up your out of a job" Can you take in a eye test done by an eye doc to the AME in lieu of having them do it?

 

[JessMan]

I'd say no, but something to consider is that I don't think all AME's use the projector machine. I had one in Des Moines who used a wall chart, maybe your friend just has to find an AME who does that...

 

[Catnhat]

I was told by my ME last time that since I had just had an exam with my ophthamologist that I could have brought in a report and skipped the eye exam. Don't know if this also applies to opticians or optometrists but its worth asking. The eye doc will be much more "understanding" if you explain the need for 20/20.

 

[atlcrashpad]

What's the Big Deal? So you or your Friend gets a corrective lens restriction.

 

[Way2Broke]

atl she already has the corrective lense restriction, that is what the big deal is!

 

[Lazy8]

Yes, you can use your normal eye exam results for your medical. That's exactly what I do. You can get a form from the AME (or probably somewhere on the web) that your eye doctor needs to fill out. Hand that to the AME when you get your medical and they skip the eye test.

For most folks that need corrective lenses this is really the best way to go. AME's often have a nurse run the eye test on some very ancient equipment in a brightly lit room. A good eye doctor will dim the lights, give your eyes time to adjust, and generally have much better equipment and tests for your eyes. In short, your best effort on the eye test will be through an actual eye doc.

g

 

[Lazy8]

atl she already has the corrective lense restriction, that is what the big deal is!

Why? It's not going to hurt a civilian career. Is she trying to join the military to fly F-18's or something?

g

 

[atlcrashpad]

Why? It's not going to hurt a civilian career. Is she trying to join the military to fly F-18's or something?

g

That is what I was wondering. I wear corrective lenses in my Guard unit, but my FAA eye exam was flawless. I don't care either way. Besides, the military provides three pair of glasses a year for FREE.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I agree.Those antiquated light boxes suck and I always fear I won't do as well, especially when I remove my contacts and get checkedfor uncorrected vision. The nurse is usually crabby and seems to hate doing this test.

 

[Air 1]

Why? It's not going to hurt a civilian career. Is she trying to join the military to fly F-18's or something?

g

It will if you don't pass the medical. I barely passed because I have very bad astigmatism, which means the lenses have a hard time lining up correctly on the eye to see good. When they are lined up, I can see great, when they don't, Its hard to pass the eye test. Some AME don;t understand that.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

It will if you don't pass the medical. I barely passed because I have very bad astigmatism, which means the lenses have a hard time lining up correctly on the eye to see good. When they are lined up, I can see great, when they don't, Its hard to pass the eye test. Some AME don;t understand that.

J&J Acuvue makes a contact lense SPECIFICALLY for astigmatism. They are VERY expensive though. A box of 6 lenses may cost like $40.

http://promo.acuvue.com/promo/FreeTrial.do?promoId=24&inputPage=FTC_R&product=AGT&rc=4W

 

[RockbrigadePC1]

http://forms.faa.gov/report_new.asp?stype=N

Form: 8500-7

 

[atlcrashpad]

I've hot perfdct vision. Nevet had a proglem with my vision. I can recommenf my optomiteist if you need one. Let me kmow and I'll send iy.

 

[Lazy8]

i'm blind!! i'm blind!! oh wait.. approach lights in sight!

I agree.Those antiquated light boxes suck and I always fear I won't do as well, especially when I remove my contacts and get checkedfor uncorrected vision. The nurse is usually crabby and seems to hate doing this test.

Actually your AME (or his/her nurse) is supposed to inform you not to wear your contacts for at least 24 hours prior to the exam. You're supposed to come in wearing your prescription glasses. The reason is because when you initially take out the contacts your uncorrected vision can be slightly worsened until your eyes have time to lubricate and readjust to the air. Same thing if you pop them in after not wearing them for a while. It takes time for the contacts to properly settle into your eye. This is especially true if you've recently changed contact brands. For example if you've worn Acuvue 2 lenses for several years and you recently just switched to Acuvue Hydraclears... They have different diameters and base curves so they may not fit your eye as well.

I've got a pilot health textbook around here somewhere that explains all the things AMEs can and cannot do. I'll see if I can't dig it up incase any of you folks want to check it out. I've managed to finally find a great AME here in Colorado. If anyone in the area wants a reference send me a PM.

g

 

[Lazy8]

found it...

Health for Pilots: A Complete Guide to FAA Medical Certification and Self-Care by. Paul M. Gahlinger, MD, PhD

g

 

[JohnDoe]

especially when I remove my contacts and get checkedfor uncorrected vision.

Why are you doing an uncorrected vision test anymore? There are no more uncorrected vision standards in the FAR's, only need to be corrected to 20/20 for a first or second class.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Why are you doing an uncorrected vision test anymore? There are no more uncorrected vision standards in the FAR's, only need to be corrected to 20/20 for a first or second class.

§ 67.103 Eye.
Eye standards for a first-class airman medical certificate are:
(a) Distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/20 vision, the person may be eligible only on the condition that corrective lenses are worn while exercising the privileges of an airman certificate.
(b) Near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If age 50 or older, near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at both 16 inches and 32 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses.

This was reference to my near vision, seems the AME I've gone to has the nurse check my eyes without my contacts in.



.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

Snellen eye chart....20/20 line is DEFPOTEC....somebody told me that once and it stuck. Even if I didn't have 20/20 I would just raddle that off. Not cause I was trying to cheat, just because I know what it is.

Those boxes you have to look in suck. We have to use those in IL at the DMV. When I squint one eye to check vision one at a time, the other eye gets blury for a minute. Then you get the DMV guy tapping his fingures as to say, "What is the problem?" At least with the eye chart you don't have to squint, you can just cover one eye with your hand.

 

[osu_av8r]

I agree.Those antiquated light boxes suck and I always fear I won't do as well, especially when I remove my contacts and get checkedfor uncorrected vision. The nurse is usually crabby and seems to hate doing this test.

No kidding, very crabby. About as bad as the icy cold hands from the AME during the "cough test". Wear a freakin' glove, man!