ewrbasedpilot

I recently lost my ability to see "up close" (old age I guess, but I waited till I was 50!!). My doctor told me to get cheaters, which work just fine. I even went to the optometrist who told me my far vision was better than his equipment could check (20/12), but that I needed 1.5 correction for close up reading, and that "cheaters" were more than acceptable for reading. On my last class one physical, the nurse gave me the "if you can't read these charts WITHOUT glasses, then we can't pass you" story. On my medical certificate, it says I HAVE to use glasses for near vision. When I told the nurse the reason I have cheaters is because I CAN'T focus up close, she said that she was sorry about that, and that I HAD to read the charts without the glasses. This is more than ridiculous. Why have "needs glasses for near vision" on my medical if I can't use them for the physical? How do pilots that wear glasses pass their physicals? Needless to say I was pretty ticked off after the medical. They let me "slide" so to speak, but I'm seriously thinking of getting a new AME. Any comments????

joepilot

Talk to the AME, not the nurse. She has been misinformed, and it is the Doc's place to correct her. If the Doc says she is right, change AMEs, and tell him why.

Joe

ewrbasedpilot

That was the wierd thing.........he said she was correct. So that begs the question: How do pilots with glasses pass their class one physical WITHOUT them?????

74plb

The Medical assistant has to test your eyes without glasses, doesn't matter if you can see a thing or not. Then he/she will test you again with the glasses to see that you are corrected to 20/20. If you can read with the glasses you get the must wear corrective lenses restriction. Without it you don't pass go or collect $200.00. Sounds like the Doctor didn't explain the restriction very well.
I've had glasses since 40 or so, and the restriction for near vision since then.
Not a big deal, but the MA can make your life difficult. Last physical I had a new prescription but didn't have the new glasses yet. The Doctor said it wasn't a problem.

ewrbasedpilot

That was the strange part........she said I HAD to be able to read the chart without the glasses and then with them. I've got to say it was one of my more stressful medicals, and I ALWAYS breeze right through them. Hard to believe I've gone from 20/15 normal vision to needing cheaters for up close reading and it's screwing with my medical so much. Yet, I can still tell the sex of a gnat a mile away in low light.................. Think it's time to find another AME.

74plb

I could barely see anything last medical w/o my classes. She didn't seem concerned, just so long I could read the chart with my glasses.
Sounds like your tech would flunk me!
Might just be time for a new AME. I have a new one and he seems to be a pretty reasonable guy.

rickair7777

This is correct...there must be some miscommunication with the AME. Is he a new AME????