If I renew my first class medical using glasses is it an issue the next time around not using glasses

[thehobbit]

So I'm not able to see my regular doctor for my medical, but I have another doctor that I've used a few times before to renew my medical. My problem is that in the right eye I am borderline 20/20. The doctor I normally use, uses a Snellen chart for the visual acuity test and the doctor that I'm going to renew my medical with uses a box that I can't pass without glasses.

The Doctor with the box refers my to an optometrist and they give me an eye exam and sends me off with my readings which I give to the doctor to receive my medical.
Instead of seeing both the flight doctor and the optometrist, I'd just wear the glasses that I have to pass the box test.

My question is when I go to renew it again with my regular flight doctor and pass it without the glasses is the FAA going to take issue with the fact that I haven't seen a doctor to correct my eyes but one medical says I need to wear glasses and one doesn't?

 

[Corporate Pilot]

They had no problem 15 years ago when I did it.

 

[Bandit_Driver]

I hate that dumb box thing. is the C facing up down left or right, machine fogs up in like 60 seconds too. I have another eye issue and just get the FAA Ophthalmological form field out and that covers the eye exam in the AME office.

I don't see the FAA having an issue with glasses on medical and none on another. Your vision naturally changes a bit throughout the day and if your eyes are dry or not. IMO you just had a bad day on the chart. If they do put in on your medical just make sure you use them while flying and have the second spare set n the bag in case you get a fed riding along.

 

[///AMG]

I routinely go between glasses and no glasses, both on my FAA class 1 as well as my military physical. Last couple years I have been no glasses for both. Haven't been eating any more carrots. I think it is probably a function, for me, of not doing my physical/eye exam at early morning hours and making sure I'm hydrated.

 

[thehobbit]

Even with the glasses I had a hard time passing that box. I curious how they set the box up and if it's in a fixed position internally. The nurse who does the routine stuff like blood pressure, takes the thing off the floor and gives it a look to see if it's functioning, even thought she is pushing 60 and has glasses herself.

 

[FlightSurgeon]

Hi thehobbit,

Sounds like this has already been answered, but the FAA will have no problem with it. One year you may have a certificate that says "must wear corrective lenses" and the next "no restrictions" if you can meet standards with no glasses.

Aaron Florkowski, MD
FAA designated AME
www.kansascityame.com