Uncorrected vision limits ??

D

drumcat9800

New Member
Hello all, I've been a lurker for a couple of months now and I've learned a lot. So I decided to join and this is my first post. My ? is regarding my uncorrected vision for the FAA physical. I was intending to start training for my private here soon with the possibility in the back of my mind to maybe someday be able to get at least a commercial license and see where that takes me. Anyway, I've learned that its a good idea to get a 1st or 2nd class medical even though you might not need it in the beginning. So I had my physical and tried for the 1st class. The Dr. told me he had to reject me for both 1st and 2nd class, but I was ok for the 3rd class because my uncorrected distance vision was not good enough. I pretty much told him that if I didn't know the big "E" was an "E", that I wouldn't be able to read it. Which is true. My corrected vision in both eyes with contacts or glasses (I've got both) is 20/15. (I can almost see thru steel !) In my research here, I haven't been able to locate any info on this area. So, asking the experts, is this right? Is there some sort of minimum limit you need to be able to see uncorrected to pass? Like 20/100 or something? The Dr. said I could get a SODA or waiver, but I see people all the time here claiming they can't see well uncorrected either, but have a 1st class. Anybody have any insight? Thanks in advance.
 
See 14 CFR Part 67.103. He might have denied you on the basis of the 20/40 or better uncorrected at 16 inches. Most AMEs wouldn't, though; I'm blind as a bat w/o glasses/contacts and still got a 1st class.
 
Nevermind me, I'm an idiot. There are no uncorrected visual acuity requirements anymore, I was just mis-reading "with or without corrective lenses". Take a copy of 67.103 to your AME, he shouldn't be denying you on the basis of uncorrected distant vision. If he won't do anything about it, tell him you'll report him to the FAA for not following the FAR.

To recap, the visual acuity requirements for a 1st Class medical certificate are as follows:

[ QUOTE ]
§ 67.103 Eye.
Eye standards for a first-class airman medical certificate are:

(a) Distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/20 vision, the person may be eligible only on the condition that corrective lenses are worn while exercising the privileges of an airman certificate.

(b) Near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If age 50 or older, near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at both 16 inches and 32 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses.

(c) Ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties.

(d) Normal fields of vision.

(e) No acute or chronic pathological condition of either eye or adnexa that interferes with the proper function of an eye, that may reasonably be expected to progress to that degree, or that may reasonably be expected to be aggravated by flying.

(f) Bifoveal fixation and vergence-phoria relationship sufficient to prevent a break in fusion under conditions that may reasonably be expected to occur in performing airman duties. Tests for the factors named in this paragraph are not required except for persons found to have more than 1 prism diopter of hyperphoria, 6 prism diopters of esophoria, or 6 prism diopters of exophoria. If any of these values are exceeded, the Federal Air Surgeon may require the person to be examined by a qualified eye specialist to determine if there is bifoveal fixation and an adequate vergence-phoria relationship. However, if otherwise eligible, the person is issued a medical certificate pending the results of the examination.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
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