Eye Problem

[francis03]

hello,

I have just gotten back from the eye doctor for a regular check-up and new prescription glasses. He advised me that my vision is 20/25 corrected and, so far, that's the best the glasses can do. I'm aware that I need 20/20 for a class 1 medical. So, does this mean that my dream of becoming an airline pilot is over? Is there anything else I can do to achieve 20/20 vision?

I just want to know if I should continue on this path. I'm currently 19 years old, a sophomore in college, and working on my instrument rating with approximately 115 hrs. I just don't wanna go down and invest money in something that I have no future in

Thank you

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

It would be worth a visit to an ophthalmologist to discuss refractive surgery. Can you get refractive surgery then be corrected to 20/20 with glasses if necessary after surgery? That is the question to ask.

 

[IslandFlyer]

Hopefully it all works out for you. Listen to the Doc and see if the surgery can get it corrected. Good luck!

 

[francis03]

It would be worth a visit to an ophthalmologist to discuss refractive surgery. Can you get refractive surgery then be corrected to 20/20 with glasses if necessary after surgery? That is the question to ask.

Wilco...

I was wondering if there are any "good" flying careers that don't require a class 1 medical. Also, I have read from past posts about SODAs, and was wondering as to what they are.

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

First, the 2nd class vision requirements are the same a a 1st class medical. As to other flying careers, I will leave that to those on the board who fly for a living.

A SODA is a Statement of Demonstrated Ability. You actually prove to the FAA you can do a specific task.

 

[francis03]

Would a SODA apply given my present situation?

By refractive surgery, did you mean Lasik?

Pardon my ignorance

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

The FAA may issue a SODA for this but they usually only do it if one eye is 20/20 and the other is 20/25.

Yes I meant LASIK.

 

[francis03]

ok... thanks a million.
I was just about ready to give up, until I posted here and learned that there is hope (albeit, little)

Thanks again