Medical II vision with amblyopia

[ransom]

Hello all,

 

Has anyone passed the medical II vision portion with amblyopia? I was diagnosed when I was young. Together my vision is 20/20, but my left eye is far from it. With contacts or glasses, I am able to read or function fine out of either eye, but have a problem reading at distances with my left. I have an eye exam coming up and plan on taking a medical examination to see if my dream of flying is possible. Has anyone had experience with this situation. I have found while researching that this is a common topic amoung those in the airline industry. Some thoughts or advice would be great as I don't know what to think going into the exam.

 

Thanks

Shawn

[kodoz]

Spend the money on an AOPA membership and medical consult. As with most medical issues, it's best to figure them out before sitting down for your exam. You can also ask your AME for a "check up" to see if you would pass a 2nd class medical, without actually sitting for it. Again, AOPA is the source for this: look up their medical certification webinar.

good luck.

[ADRidge]

I've got a similar eye issue... not amblyopia specifically though. Without some type of extra paperwork (I'm still not sure exactly what) I can only get a 3rd class. However.... I'm going to talk with my AME here in the next few weeks and figure out what I have to do to get a 2nd class. I know it can be done, it just seems like there's one or two extra hurdles for the initial 2nd class.

[Shaun]

The test is each eye, however you may be able to get a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) that allows you to have some or all of the flight privileges.

 

"Amblyopia. In amblyopia ex anopsia, the visual acuity of one eye is decreased without presence of organic eye disease, usually because of strabismus or anisometropia in childhood. In amblyopia ex anopsia, the visual acuity loss is simply recorded in Item 50 of FAA Form 8500-8, and visual standards are applied as usual. If the standards are not met, a report of eye evaluation, FAA Form 8500-7, should be submitted for consideration."

 

If you google this question there are many forum threads about it.

 

http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-125492.html

[RevitalVision]

There is an FDA approved program for amblyopia in older children and adults you might want to consider to help your vision. It's a home computer based program and you need to be qualified by a Eye Care Professional to use the program. See www.revitalvision.com.

[That guy]

I suffer from a different condition, but it too creates a loss of vision in my left eye. I just talked to my AME and she got me all the right paperwork to submit to OKC. It did take 6 months of filling out paperwork and doing test after test for the feds, but eventually they approved a SODA flight for me. Once I completed that, all of a 0.5 flt time, I had my new medical and SODA cert in hand. There are even many 1 eyed pilots out there. Just have to cut through the red tape, but you can still fly. Good luck.