My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
This is the twenty-third of a series of threads regarding the history portion of the FAA Form 8500-8 that you complete every time you get a flight physical. For the vast majority of you, this will be just informational and you will not be affected. As with many of the conditions discussed here and elsewhere in these threads, there is a requirement for the pilot to provide medical records and physician documentation regarding the medical condition being reported.
Item 17.b. Do You Ever Use Near Vision Contact Lens(es) While Flying?
Here is one that catches a lot of people. Most folks wear contact lenses to correct distant vision but can also see near objects while wearing the same contact lenses. The use of contact lens(es) specifically to correct near vision is/are inappropriate for flying. The right answer is NO! If the applicant answers yes, the Examiner should counsel the applicant that the use of contact lens(es) (bifocal or unifocal) specifically for the correction of near vision is/are inappropriate. The Examiner must note in Item 60 that this counseling has been given. If the applicant checks yes and no further comment is noted on FAA Form 8500-8 by either the applicant or the Examiner, a letter will automatically be sent to the applicant informing him or her that the use of contact lens(es) specifically to correct near vision is/are inappropriate for flying.
* Italicized text is from FAA documents
Item 17.b. Do You Ever Use Near Vision Contact Lens(es) While Flying?
Here is one that catches a lot of people. Most folks wear contact lenses to correct distant vision but can also see near objects while wearing the same contact lenses. The use of contact lens(es) specifically to correct near vision is/are inappropriate for flying. The right answer is NO! If the applicant answers yes, the Examiner should counsel the applicant that the use of contact lens(es) (bifocal or unifocal) specifically for the correction of near vision is/are inappropriate. The Examiner must note in Item 60 that this counseling has been given. If the applicant checks yes and no further comment is noted on FAA Form 8500-8 by either the applicant or the Examiner, a letter will automatically be sent to the applicant informing him or her that the use of contact lens(es) specifically to correct near vision is/are inappropriate for flying.
* Italicized text is from FAA documents