HELP!!!! ATC Vision Requirements

I

igivemylife11

Well-Known Member
Based on the following information from the following link, I will be disqualifed for having a prescription of -6.00 in my left eye and -5.00 in my right eye... even though my contact lenses correct my eyesight to 20/20 in each eye. Has anyone passed the Medical with uncorrected vision greater than the +-5.50 diopters of spherical equivalent? I hear so much conflicting information; a Flight surgeon agreed with this link and said I will be disqualified but, I have seen posts were controllers say they have had "bad vision" and still passed the vision, all it took was corrected 20/20 (which the FAA website only lists 20/20 corrected or uncorrected is required).
If this information is true my only resort would to get lasik surgery and I am trying to prolong the surgery because my eyes have not stablized yet.
Does the FAA care about uncorrected vision or is 20/20 their only concern? http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/gs2100/2152.HTM

Initial Employment:

Applicants for initial employment to air traffic control specialist positions must meet the following requirements. (Unless otherwise indicated, these requirements are identical for all specializations.)
Eye
  1. Visual Acuity
    1. Terminal and Center Positions -- Applicants must demonstrate distant and near vision of 20/20 or better (Snellen or equivalent) in each eye separately. If glasses or contact lenses are required, refractive error that exceeds plus or minus 5.50 diopters of spherical equivalent or plus or minus 3.00 diopters of cylinder is disqualifying. The use of orthokeratology or radial keratotomy methods is not acceptable for purposes of meeting this requirement. The use of contact lenses for the correction of near vision only or the use of bifocal contact lenses for the correction of near vision is unacceptable.
 
The vision test is exactly like I've encountered at the DMV. I have 20/200 vision and had no issues, however very basic research on my part has uncovered there is a positive correlation between visual acuity and diopter. I'd ask this again in the ask a flight surgeon forum so you get more educated replies.
 
Thanks, I was hoping I could a response from current controllers that have bad vision like me that didn't encounter any issues getting passed the medical.

The reason for this is because I have heard the FAA removed the "uncorrected" vision test and now just requires 20/20.

I have asked a flight surgeon and they just gave me the simple "you need 20/20 vision and you will fail based on the article you have found" I have also gotten "I don't give the ATC vision exam".

Is there anyway for me to get an exact answer on this? Maybe a number to call?
 
I have asked a Flight Surgeon and got a response of "yes, you will be disqualified".

I went ahead and emailed a FAA Customer Service Agent and just got a response,

"If your vision is corrected by lenses to 20/20 in each eye separately, the FAA will not disqualify you for uncorrected vision.
Previously, standards of the Office of Personnel Management limited air traffic controllers to 6.0 diopters spherical. This standard is no longer used."


Pretty excited I dont have to go out and spend $5k for lasik... and I have it in writing! Just hope the "FAA Customer Service Agent" can be accountable for.
 
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