Strabismus / lack of double vision?

E

Evanmac3332

New Member
Hi there, I am 18, and want to go to college to get a Class 1 license. However, I went to an FAA examiner and he said I did not pass the vision exam. When I was given a test to look into a binocular type apparatus I was presented with a long horizontal line extending across the whole vision plane in the left port hole. In the right port hole were multiple horizontal lines that were on the right side of the vision plane and they went down the side of the plane, and next to each line was a number. I was told to look in both and tell the nurse which number the long horizontal line was passing through. I could not put the two together to tell which number was being intersected. However, I was told by my optometrist that I have strabismus, but I am 20/20 in each eye and 20/20 in my nearsightedness with corrective lenses. I do have a lazy eye in my left eye. But I do not see double vision unless I bring an object close to my eyes and then become cross eyed. I match up with everything and I'm as healthy as an ox! I was wondering if anyone has heard of this problem?! I will not let my dream die. I have been waiting for this day from the day I was 13.

PS> The doctor did say I would qualify for a class 3 I believe.
 
I have strabismus and will never pass the stereoscopic vision test.....never never never. I don't have double vision no matter how I focus my eyes. (This may cause problems for you...who knows...maybe not) However, I have 20/15 in both eyes uncorrected. Despite all this, I hold a 100% clean 1st class medical. That means no SODA, no waiver, no special issuance or anything like that. just a nice clean 1st class medical with the word NONE in the limitations box. Talk to your ophthalmologist and have him write a letter stating that you have healthy vision and that your condition won't worsen. (provided he agrees with this. However he is the Dr. and he knows more on eyes and YOUR eyes than I do)

Long story short, No need to worry about not having stereoscopic vision.
 
I just talked with my doctor, I have 20/25 in my left eye, and she said at this point, it all comes down to how the test is administered. She did say that I could pass the exam if I squinted or fudged a little bit. In short I am so close. So close. Any Suggestions. I'm trying eye exercises but I fear I may not be able to fly because a few measley points!
 
I have the same problem and fail the same test. The test is for phorias. Go to the eye doc with the form Dr. Forred linked, and chat with them about the situation. As long as you don't have double vision, all should be well. The FAA sent me a letter a few weeks later saying that my 1st class is valid with no restrictions, but if my esophoria becomes a safety issue at any time you are grounded.
 
vheissu said:
I have the same problem and fail the same test. The test is for phorias. Go to the eye doc with the form Dr. Forred linked, and chat with them about the situation. As long as you don't have double vision, all should be well. The FAA sent me a letter a few weeks later saying that my 1st class is valid with no restrictions, but if my esophoria becomes a safety issue at any time you are grounded.
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So you had 20/25 and 20/20? Or is this in relation to my problem with 20/20 and 20/20? Because my doctor made a mistake and came back to me with 20/25 in my left eye and 20/20 in my right eye. With strabismus in my left eye.
 
What is a SODA. I tried looking it up with mixed results. I'm new to this whole Flight Medical Exam. Thank you so much for all your help thus far!

I am assuming that I would have to fly an aircraft and as long as I perform well, and prove that the eye does not bother me, then the doctor can grant me a SODA, or waiver for my eye with a pre determined expiration date determined by the examiner?
 
Evanmac3332 said:
What is a SODA. I tried looking it up with mixed results. I'm new to this whole Flight Medical Exam. Thank you so much for all your help thus far!

I am assuming that I would have to fly an aircraft and as long as I perform well, and prove that the eye does not bother me, then the doctor can grant me a SODA, or waiver for my eye with a pre determined expiration date determined by the examiner?
Click to expand...

SODA is a "Statement Of Demonstrated Ability." Your last paragraph basically nailed it. Essentially it entails proving to the FAA (usually via a flight test) that said medical condition won't adversely affect your ability to fly.

A former CFI of mine had a SODA due to an eye condition as well, I don't recall exactly what the problem was though.
 
I hope you know that I just ran around my house screaming "YES!" and "WOOHOO" multiple times. I used to fly so this should not be a problem at all... and my eyes were worse then. :p

Thank you so much for all your help!

And I can get a SODA when I am just starting out as a student pilot, and if it doesn't expire before I get my class 1 it will still be effective when I take the exam for my class 1? Thank you again for all the help.
 
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