Class 1 Medican and astigmatism

M

MarNas

Well-Known Member
Hi,
first of all I'd like to introduce myself as this is my first post here.
My name's Marco, I live in South Italy and I'm almost 18.

So, here is my problem.
I'm worried about my eyesight because I don't meet the medical standards in Europe for the Class 1 Medical because the astigmatism mustn't exceed 2 dioptres, but in USA with the FAA standards there are no limits, a good correction is needed, isn't it?

Well, my last prescription was this:
Right -2,00 myopia // -1,25 astigmatism
Left -1 myopia // -2,75 astigmatism

And I have also the suspect I have keratoconus:(
Anyway I will go to an ophtalmologist in these next days.

Can I take the Class 1 Medical in USA even with keratoconus (I'm not sure yet).

Many thanks in advance!

Regards,
Marco
 
Hey Marco,

To answer your question, I have Keratoconus and got my 1st class medical last January. The short answer is no, just don't release that you have Keratoconus to the doctor and they will never know unless you tell them otherwise. Go to the eye doctor and see if you have Keratoconus, and get the proper to contacts to combat Keratoconus, and you should be fine, and the faster you find out and get the proper contacts the better your vision will be. Hope this Helps, PM with any other questions.

Thanks
 
1) you should have no problem with a US Class 1 medical with that refraction.

2) For nsmith2224, lying to the FAA is punishable by a $250,000 fine and or 5 years in Federal prison. DON'T LIE!!
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
1) you should have no problem with a US Class 1 medical with that refraction.
Click to expand...
Even if I have keratoconus?
Anyway, I don't think so, may I just need a new lens due a bit more myopia... Cannot say until I not go to the ophtalmologist. But the last time he said "It's a bit difficul to correct your left eye"...:confused:
 
Ok, I re-take this thread as now I have my actual prescription:
Right Eye myopia -2,50 / astigmatism -1,00 / Ax 10°
Left eye myopia -1,00 / astigmatism -2,50 / Ax 175°

Will I meet the FAA minimum requirements for a Class 1 Medical?

As you can see I did a many mistake in my first post:o
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
Yes, if the visual acuity is corrected to 20/20 in each eye.
Click to expand...
Thank you, but what about if I go to the visit with an old correction which at the minute is no longer able to correct (or just close) the new visual acuity to 20/20? Will I have a new prescription by the FAA or do I need to take another visit?
 
:mad:, I'm back here, again!!!
Today I've been to my uncle who is an ophthalmologist too, and he controlled me with more attention than the other one with not just the Snellen test, perhaps because I'm his nephew:rolleyes:
Anyway this should be my actual situation with my eyes:

Right -2,50 / -0,75 / 10
Left -1,00 / 2,75 / 170

I will soon change the lenses, although I will never meet the standard requirements here in Europe for a Class 1 Medical due my astigmatism. Now I'm very very worried if I will meet or not the FAA standards because I will go in Texas in the next summer and my situation will probably be worse than now.
As far as I know the standard requirements are just to see 20/20 or better with or without correction. So there shouldn't be any limits, is that right?
For example I friend of mine has hypermetropia +4 in the right eye and he didn't meet the JAA standard requirements, but he did in USA with the FAA standards.
I hope this has been s the last time I have posted in this topic:(

Sorry again and many thanks in advance, My Flight Surgeon.
 
And could be there any gotchas if I do a refractive surgery like PRK or Lasik?
I won't do it around these months, but I'm thinking of doing it in the next years, when I'll be at least 23-24 years old.
 
MarNas,

If you are having problems getting a JAA class 1.

My understanding is that if you hold an FAA Class 1 and hold a commercial certificate. They "can" lower the requirements to a renewal level which you would fit in quite nicely. I hear that the Germans and Dutch do this on a frequent basis.

Phil
 
philknight said:
MarNas,

If you are having problems getting a JAA class 1.

My understanding is that if you hold an FAA Class 1 and hold a commercial certificate. They "can" lower the requirements to a renewal level which you would fit in quite nicely. I hear that the Germans and Dutch do this on a frequent basis.

Phil
Click to expand...
That's why I'll come to study in USA: fot that!
I know that for a holder of CPL issued by an ICAO country with annex 1 there are no limits as it works like a renewal:)
That's why two of my friends have gone to the USA.
 
nsmith2224 said:
Hey Marco,

To answer your question, I have Keratoconus and got my 1st class medical last January. The short answer is no, just don't release that you have Keratoconus to the doctor and they will never know unless you tell them otherwise. Go to the eye doctor and see if you have Keratoconus, and get the proper to contacts to combat Keratoconus, and you should be fine, and the faster you find out and get the proper contacts the better your vision will be. Hope this Helps, PM with any other questions.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I have this issue. So I should absolutely just not mention it to the AME? Someone told me to quicken the process for Class 1 that you should have your primary eye doctor fill out the forms
 
JayAlarm said:
I have this issue. So I should absolutely just not mention it to the AME?
Click to expand...
That would amount to lying to the FAA. See the post after nsmith from the former flight surgeon of the forum.

My Flight Surgeon said:
2) For nsmith2224, lying to the FAA is punishable by a $250,000 fine and or 5 years in Federal prison. DON'T LIE!!
Click to expand...

On the form to get your medical you will have answer this question, "*18. Medical History - HAVE YOU EVER IN YOUR LIFE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH, HAD, OR DO YOU PRESENTLY HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING?Answer "Yes" or "No" for every condition listed below (All "yes" answers require a comment. Click Add Comments to add or edit a comment)."
  • d.Eye or vision trouble except glasses
 
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