Medical with amblyopia?
08-04-2008, 04:25 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
Medical with amblyopia?
Hello,
First of all, sorry for my bad english, english is not my native language.
I'm 21, Belgian and studying Aeronaughtics.
This year I wanted to start my pilot training at the Sabena Flight Academy in Brussels.
I studied for the entry exam, went to the bank to talk about the loan and made my medical appointment (european, JAR)
3 months later I had my medical exam --> passed everything except for the binocular eye exam, so I didn't get my medical and they also said I would never pass an European Class 1 medical.
That was a real shock for me, I always wanted to be an airline pilot! (my father is already his whole life in the "airport" business around the world)
My problem is: When I was young (3years) I had a "lazy eye" or amblyopia (my left eye). I got operated and went into therapy. I see with my right eye 20/20, and with my left eye around 18/20.
A lot of people have a lazy eye, with enough therapy the eye almost fully restores, but the problem is in your brain. Your brain picks the "good" eye to make the biggest part of your vision. This gives you binocular sight problems, also depth percention.
I can see depth, and my eyes work good together. my depth perception is about 50%. I failed the binocular sight test, because my right eye is dominant.
I heard of some pilot friends of mine, that they are sure I would pass the FAA medical class 1. Some say that European pilots got their FAA medical and flying US registered planes in Europe.
This is really, really important to me to find some info about this subject.
Because I want to know if I could become an airline pilot or not, my dream got destroyed 6 months ago, and I'm looking for alternatives since then.
I already asked a lot of fora, I already got a lot of "maybe's" or " I think so" but I want to be 100% sure.
Can I become an Airline pilot in FAA countries? with a lazy eye? my eyes together are perfect ( left 18/20, right 20/20)
Thx for the help in advance!!
Glenn
First of all, sorry for my bad english, english is not my native language.
I'm 21, Belgian and studying Aeronaughtics.
This year I wanted to start my pilot training at the Sabena Flight Academy in Brussels.
I studied for the entry exam, went to the bank to talk about the loan and made my medical appointment (european, JAR)
3 months later I had my medical exam --> passed everything except for the binocular eye exam, so I didn't get my medical and they also said I would never pass an European Class 1 medical.
That was a real shock for me, I always wanted to be an airline pilot! (my father is already his whole life in the "airport" business around the world)
My problem is: When I was young (3years) I had a "lazy eye" or amblyopia (my left eye). I got operated and went into therapy. I see with my right eye 20/20, and with my left eye around 18/20.
A lot of people have a lazy eye, with enough therapy the eye almost fully restores, but the problem is in your brain. Your brain picks the "good" eye to make the biggest part of your vision. This gives you binocular sight problems, also depth percention.
I can see depth, and my eyes work good together. my depth perception is about 50%. I failed the binocular sight test, because my right eye is dominant.
I heard of some pilot friends of mine, that they are sure I would pass the FAA medical class 1. Some say that European pilots got their FAA medical and flying US registered planes in Europe.
This is really, really important to me to find some info about this subject.
Because I want to know if I could become an airline pilot or not, my dream got destroyed 6 months ago, and I'm looking for alternatives since then.
I already asked a lot of fora, I already got a lot of "maybe's" or " I think so" but I want to be 100% sure.
Can I become an Airline pilot in FAA countries? with a lazy eye? my eyes together are perfect ( left 18/20, right 20/20)
Thx for the help in advance!!
Glenn
08-05-2008, 10:04 AM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,210
No one can answer that for certain except an aviation medical professional who has reviewed your case. My suspicion is that yes you can probably get a US first class...our standards are not as stringent as in Europe.
You may want to contact professional aviation medicine consultants. This company will work with via email and phone:
http://www.aviationmedicine.com/
Other folks can recommend other companies too.
You may want to contact professional aviation medicine consultants. This company will work with via email and phone:
http://www.aviationmedicine.com/
Other folks can recommend other companies too.
