Eye Evaluation Form 8500-7/SODA

Pilot121

Pilot121

Well-Known Member
Hello,

I have a few questions about the FAA Eye Evaluation form (8500-7) and the Statement of Demonstrated Ability process.

1. What exactly is the purpose of having the completed 8500-7 form to give to the AME?

2. When I request a medical flight test from OKC to receive my SODA, do I have to know what date I will take it? Or can I request it, and then contact the FAA at a later date to schedule it once I'm ready for my PPL check ride?

Thanks,
Pilot121
 
Pilot121 said:
Hello,

I have a few questions about the FAA Eye Evaluation form (8500-7) and the Statement of Demonstrated Ability process.

1. What exactly is the purpose of having the completed 8500-7 form to give to the AME?

2. When I request a medical flight test from OKC to receive my SODA, do I have to know what date I will take it? Or can I request it, and then contact the FAA at a later date to schedule it once I'm ready for my PPL check ride?

Thanks,
Pilot121
Click to expand...

I did this process/procedure.

The eye evaluation form gives the additional information in regards to your eye condition that requires additional info. In my case, the actual symptom reported on the 8500-7 was then literally put word-for-word on the SODA. When I turned the form into the AME who forwarded it to the FAA, I didn't know what to expect.

The letter I got back from OKC was that I would have to do a medical flight test. IIRC, the letter said I could contact my local FSDO office and get a FSDO examiner to come with me and take the ride. I believe he didn't charge (I think technically they aren't allowed to. Could even get a free checkride from one, but they almost never schedule this.... they leave it up to DPEs for checkides).

Anyway, I scheduled it at a time that worked best for me. But it's in your best interest to not postpone it. I would get it done ASAP. How far is your PPL checkride?
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
I did this process/procedure.

The eye evaluation form gives the additional information in regards to your eye condition that requires additional info. In my case, the actual symptom reported on the 8500-7 was then literally put word-for-word on the SODA. When I turned the form into the AME who forwarded it to the FAA, I didn't know what to expect.

The letter I got back from OKC was that I would have to do a medical flight test. IIRC, the letter said I could contact my local FSDO office and get a FSDO examiner to come with me and take the ride. I believe he didn't charge (I think technically they aren't allowed to. Could even get a free checkride from one, but they almost never schedule this.... they leave it up to DPEs for checkides).

Anyway, I scheduled it at a time that worked best for me. But it's in your best interest to not postpone it. I would get it done ASAP. How far is your PPL checkride?
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@Cherokee_Cruiser Thanks for that information; it is very helpful!

I actually haven't started flight training yet, but I'm about to begin. I would want to get the SODA as early as possible. At what stage of my PPL training would I have enough knowledge to take the medical flight test?
 
Yeh I did this also. Went for a medical with an examiner who is used to this. They deferred it, sent me for an eye exam, and then they sent me a letter for an MFT. I was already a PPL at this stage.

Consult the FSDO, it may be possible post solo but they may not like to be PIC, so given they don't charge it could be an extra flight the day after your checkride. Though you need to get a medical/student pilot certificate, so definitely check how they like to do it.

My advice. Go for the class 1 from the start. I did a 2nd MFT for this. Also be prepared to fly proficiently. Some just ask you to estimate distances and check you fly normally, some like to get you to do a single engine IAP, but being rusty or medically uncertain, it can be difficult for them to tell.
 
Pilot121 said:
@Cherokee_Cruiser Thanks for that information; it is very helpful!

I actually haven't started flight training yet, but I'm about to begin. I would want to get the SODA as early as possible. At what stage of my PPL training would I have enough knowledge to take the medical flight test?
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I'm confused, how do you know you need a SODA?

Apply for a 1st class medical and go from there. When you do process the MFT and SODA paperwork, you will want to have that SODA be valid for a 1st class medical.
 
If you go for the first medical and know your eyesight may not meet the standards. Don't let the AME deny the medical, ask that it be deferred while you complete the evaluation form with the regional flight surgeon.

Upon a successful MFT which they should allow you to take, then they issue you the full medical.

Alex.
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
I'm confused, how do you know you need a SODA?

Apply for a 1st class medical and go from there. When you do process the MFT and SODA paperwork, you will want to have that SODA be valid for a 1st class medical.
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I know that I will fail the 1st class vision requirement, because I have amblyopia (lazy eye). My good eye is 20/20 (uncorrected), but my other eye is 20/35 and can't be corrected to 20/20. Therefore, I would not meet the class 1 medical requirements.
 
Pilot121 said:
I know that I will fail the 1st class vision requirement, because I have amblyopia (lazy eye). My good eye is 20/20 (uncorrected), but my other eye is 20/35 and can't be corrected to 20/20. Therefore, I would not meet the class 1 medical requirements.
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I would call AOPA's medical department for advice. Follow what they say. I think you might be better off getting the eye evaluation form 8500-7 done first, but again, follow the professional advice.
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
I would call AOPA's medical department for advice. Follow what they say. I think you might be better off getting the eye evaluation form 8500-7 done first, but again, follow the professional advice.
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Alright, I will give AOPA a call. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
 
Pilot121 said:
I know that I will fail the 1st class vision requirement, because I have amblyopia (lazy eye). My good eye is 20/20 (uncorrected), but my other eye is 20/35 and can't be corrected to 20/20. Therefore, I would not meet the class 1 medical requirements.
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First things first. Amblyopia is not lazy eye as you say. You need to understand this because it's a very big misconception and could hurt you if you explain wrongly to your AME if he pokes you with questions about the diagnosis.

Strabismus is the condition commonly referred to as lazy eye.

Amblyopia stems from strabismus and usually is diagnosed as a kid or small child.

Strabismus usually always screws with the development of depth perception. That being said, you may have very little or none at all.

I have strabismus and absolutely no depth perception. I have a first class medical, no limitations and no SODA. I currently fly for a regional. So there's definitely hope if you think there isnt.

Go ahead and get the eye for 8500-7 filled out before you go for your medical. If you haven't already gone for it. That way you can just give your AME the form and he can submit both at one time.

Also, have you done your absolute best research to make sure you actually need to get a SODA? The reason I say this is that you may not need one. I was born with strabismus and I don't have depth perception. I have a first class medical with no limitations and I don't need a SODA. The only thing for me was that I was never diagnosed with amblyopia so my visual acuity was never a concern.

Amblyopia may very well cause you to need a SODA and I'm not saying you haven't done your research. Just making sure I cover all the bases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
Pilot121 said:
I know that I will fail the 1st class vision requirement, because I have amblyopia (lazy eye). My good eye is 20/20 (uncorrected), but my other eye is 20/35 and can't be corrected to 20/20. Therefore, I would not meet the class 1 medical requirements.
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That's the whole point of a SODA. Also, I don't meet 1st class vision requirements but I don't have a special medical. Font sell your self short!
 
ahsmatt7 said:
First things first. Amblyopia is not lazy eye as you say. You need to understand this because it's a very big misconception and could hurt you if you explain wrongly to your AME if he pokes you with questions about the diagnosis.

Strabismus is the condition commonly referred to as lazy eye.

Amblyopia stems from strabismus and usually is diagnosed as a kid or small child.

Strabismus usually always screws with the development of depth perception. That being said, you may have very little or none at all.

I have strabismus and absolutely no depth perception. I have a first class medical, no limitations and no SODA. I currently fly for a regional. So there's definitely hope if you think there isnt.

Go ahead and get the eye for 8500-7 filled out before you go for your medical. If you haven't already gone for it. That way you can just give your AME the form and he can submit both at one time.

Also, have you done your absolute best research to make sure you actually need to get a SODA? The reason I say this is that you may not need one. I was born with strabismus and I don't have depth perception. I have a first class medical with no limitations and I don't need a SODA. The only thing for me was that I was never diagnosed with amblyopia so my visual acuity was never a concern.

Amblyopia may very well cause you to need a SODA and I'm not saying you haven't done your research. Just making sure I cover all the bases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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That's good to know that amblyopia is different than lazy eye. So how were you able to get (and keep) a first class medical if you do not meet the requirements, and have no SODA? My visual acuity can not be corrected to the required 20/20 in each eye, so don't I need a SODA?
 
Pilot121 said:
That's good to know that amblyopia is different than lazy eye. So how were you able to get (and keep) a first class medical if you do not meet the requirements, and have no SODA? My visual acuity can not be corrected to the required 20/20 in each eye, so don't I need a SODA?
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The only difference between you and I is that my vision is 20/20. I was drawing a parallel in that I do not meet the regulatory requirements for a first class medical...ie no depth perception. However, my medical is 100 percent a normal 1st class.

What you need to do IF you have not already done so, is do your research for amblyopia and for visual acuity. The FAA will pull these two conditions apart and look at them separately.

To the FAA, visual acuity and opthalmologic issues are treated differently as they are two totally separate issues.

That being said, yes, you still may need a SODA for not meeting the visual acuity reqs. Same goes with amblyopia.

It took me 6 months and a ton of long write ups from my opthalmologist about each surgery I had from the time I was a tiny child and the results and findings after each surgery. The dr. Also included the fact that I was born with said issues and how my ocular health including visual acuity had been stellar all my life despite my strabismus and lack of steroscopoc vision.

You'll most likely need more paperwork outside of the eye form before you'll get your medical. You may not as well. Just be ready for the FAA to send you a letter asking you for more info somewhere throughout this process.

It's pretty painless if you cough up what they want. It just takes a long time. Took me 6 months.
 
ahsmatt7 said:
The only difference between you and I is that my vision is 20/20. I was drawing a parallel in that I do not meet the regulatory requirements for a first class medical...ie no depth perception. However, my medical is 100 percent a normal 1st class.

What you need to do IF you have not already done so, is do your research for amblyopia and for visual acuity. The FAA will pull these two conditions apart and look at them separately.

To the FAA, visual acuity and opthalmologic issues are treated differently as they are two totally separate issues.

That being said, yes, you still may need a SODA for not meeting the visual acuity reqs. Same goes with amblyopia.

It took me 6 months and a ton of long write ups from my opthalmologist about each surgery I had from the time I was a tiny child and the results and findings after each surgery. The dr. Also included the fact that I was born with said issues and how my ocular health including visual acuity had been stellar all my life despite my strabismus and lack of steroscopoc vision.

You'll most likely need more paperwork outside of the eye form before you'll get your medical. You may not as well. Just be ready for the FAA to send you a letter asking you for more info somewhere throughout this process.

It's pretty painless if you cough up what they want. It just takes a long time. Took me 6 months.
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Thank you for the help!
 
I have another question:

When I get my vision tested at the ophthalmologist's office, my bad eye is about 20/30 (my good eye is 20/15). However, when I took the vision test at the DMV, my bad eye was awful, about 20/100. This was because the machines used to test the vision were different - the eye dr. had the chart on a wall, but the dmv used those "binocular" things, I forgot what it's called. What method do AME's use to test vision? Also, if my 8500-7 vision form (the one filled out by my ophthalmologist) says my bad eye is 20/30, but the AME tests my bad eye at something worse, what happens? Can the AME use the 20/30 for my medical, or does it have to be what the AME tests me at?

Thanks,
Pilot121
 
ahsmatt7 said:
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Quick update:
I had my first FAA physical recently, and applied for a class 1 medical. The AME deferred it for the defective vision and sent the vision form in, and now I have to wait for the letter about scheduling the medical flight test. I did, however, get a student pilot certificate/1st class medical with the limitation "not valid for pilot in command." Does this mean that my medical flight test examiner must be willing to act as PIC? Why would I get that limitation and not the "Valid for student pilot purposes only" limitation?
 
A student pilot certain allows you to solo and they can't let you do that until you pass the MFT. Depending on the defect, depth perception for eg, they need to make sure the problem is static and that you can compensate for it, by showing you can fly safely.
 
Hi, i'm New in this forum. Sorry for my english, in relation to this topyc, I wonder if you can help with the following. I want to study commercial aviation, but when medical examinations are carried out that had the visual acuity in the right eye (20/20) but in my left eye (20/70) and my binocular vision (20/20). I wonder if it is possible to obtain a Class 1 medical certificate in the US, with SODA and study the career. I seek to be commercial airline pilot and not a private one. In my country I refused the certificate class 2 and can not go into any academy. I'm hoping they can help me. Again sorry for my English. I'm from Colombia
 
josdav14 said:
Hi, i'm New in this forum. Sorry for my english, in relation to this topyc, I wonder if you can help with the following. I want to study commercial aviation, but when medical examinations are carried out that had the visual acuity in the right eye (20/20) but in my left eye (20/70) and my binocular vision (20/20). I wonder if it is possible to obtain a Class 1 medical certificate in the US, with SODA and study the career. I seek to be commercial airline pilot and not a private one. In my country I refused the certificate class 2 and can not go into any academy. I'm hoping they can help me. Again sorry for my English. I'm from Colombia
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Welcome to the forum!
As far as I know, only the FAA can give you a SODA, so you would most likely need to get your class 1 from the FAA. Are you planning on studying aviation here in America, or in Colombia?
 
Pilot121 said:
Welcome to the forum!
As far as I know, only the FAA can give you a SODA, so you would most likely need to get your class 1 from the FAA. Are you planning on studying aviation here in America, or in Colombia?
Click to expand...
Hello again, I would like study here in Colombia but i don't know if the SODA test is valid here, but i maybe will study in USA if it's possible
 
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