USAF Depth Preception Problem
 

I got accepted for a pilot slot in OTS for the USAF and I am in the process of getting my flight medical. I found out I have no depth perception and it is disqualifying for any pilot position in the USAF. I am seeing a specialist who believes she can help me improve my depth perception, but she does not know by how much.

I am a CFI with 400 hours and I have never had any problem controlling aircraft or judging distance. When I park aircraft, I have no problem judging wing tip separation. I also play sports that require hand eye coordination and I have only become aware of my lack of depth perception as a result of the Air Force physical.

My question is this, is there a way I can get around my failed depth perception tests with some sort of practical test or waiver? Currently, my eye tests are being reviewed for a wavier, but I do not feel I had a chance to state my case. The doctors keep telling me it is impossible to land a plane without depth perception despite the fact that I have been doing so for years without any problem. Any help would be much appreciated.

Exactly what did they diagnose you with? "No depth perception" is pretty broad. When I was applying to the AF, and throughout my career, I always failed that DP test that uses the little circles in a row. I would always have to go see the eye doc and do some special tests to prove that I really did have depth perception, even if it's not perfect. Visual acuity is measured very precisely using the 20/xx scale. However, there is no gradation for measuring DP, only pass/fail tests.

Eventually, someone decided that I ought to be evaluated, and was diagnosed with a microexotropia with monofixation syndrome.

I was immediately grounded pending further review at Brooks. Under the AF regs, all depth perception waivers must be evaluated at Brooks in person. Only Brooks can issue waivers for DP deficiencies. After 2 days of testing, I was granted a waiver and given a pair of glasses to help correct the monofixation syndrome. They really can't fix the microexotropia.

But bear in mind that by this point I had 14 years of service, and had been an instructor in 3 different AF airframes. I'm sure that was taken into account in their decision to issue me a waiver, especially for something that was fixable with a simple pair of glasses. Admittedly, I never wore the glasses for takeoffs, landings, etc. The only time I needed them was during air refueling.

What tests did you fail? Presumably the "circles in a row." But did they then give you the polarized glasses and "grab the fly's wings" test? Or use the glasses with the pictures of animals and ask which was closer (actually a test for kids, but they use it for adults, too)? If they only did the circles, then you might be able to ask for further testing using alternate tests.

Good luck, PM me if you want.

On the Circles its never either of the ends. Always either 2, 3, or 4.

I failed the circle test so they had me do a “six part test” where they apparently do every test they can to see what is wrong with my eyes. I was able to see the wings on the fly and some of the animals stick out with the polarized glasses, but I was not able to see the shapes.

The problem I have is my right eye sees everything about 14 degrees lower than my dominant left eye. Because of the misalignment, by brain ignores the image from my right eye. My doctor gave me glasses with prism in the lenses to reduce the separation angle, but now I have to teach my brain to combine the images from both eyes together. If I consciously try to combine both images, I can pass a few tests. The problem is the eye examiner for the Air Force could see that I had to really try to combine the images myself, so she new that I was having trouble.

There is a waiver for everything! Its all about who you know and who they know!

Few things:
1. Yes there are waivers. Timing can be everything though on if they give them out. I went through UPT with a guy on a depth perception waiver.
2. I'm like the other poster, always failed the circle test, got sent to the optometrist and passed their test with no problem. Make sure they are sending you to an actual optometrist, not stopping with the circle test.
3. Make sure prescription is spot on. If mine was off slightly I would not pass, but once corrected, I had no problem.
4. Since you are not in yet, no one will be too proactive in helping you with a waiver. Be persistent. Don't take initial answers of "that's not possible" Ask for supervisors and regulation references. Be persistent to the point of being annoying (but professional).
5. Good luck.

BO's post is spot on! When I went thru, I had an issue what wasn't waiverable. However, I strongly felt that I was being misdiagnosed. I kept saying no to the Flight Surgeon and asked for a second opinion. One day, I went to another Flight Surgeon and got his opinion. The next day, he sent me to Wilford Hall in SAT, TX and I saw a specialist. The specialist cleared me (remember, most of your Flight Surgeons are general practicioners or have one specialty). Had I not pressed for a 2nd opinion, I would have never became a pilot for the USAF.

-Fatty

The problem is that I know for sure that I have a depth perception problem and cannot pass any of the tests. Want I want to know is if there is any way to get a wavier even though I cannot pass the tests regardless of who gives me the tests.

I sympathize with your predictament but ask yourself this question also - if you truly do not have depth perception do you really want to possibly be joining on another aircraft in marginal weather at night using NVGs for example? Just who and what might you be putting at risk?

USMCFLYR

If you truly have no depth perception, there is no waiver.

It is true that I have no depth perception, but it has been proven that stereo vision is not the only way we judge distance. Again, like I stated, I have never had any problem judging distance, playing sports, or even flying. And to prove it to my friends who thought that I needed depth perception to judge distance, I every time I parked or moved an airplane, I would judge the distance between each wing tip or between the tail and the hangar wall, and I did just as well as they did. It has been proven that stereo vision only aids in depth perception within 30 feet. Past 30 feet, light rays enter the eye nearly parallel, so both images are pretty much the same. Within 30 feet, I have never had a problem until I was specifically tested for depth perception.

I understand that - but you'll also be put into situations that you've never been in before and the consequences of faulty depth perception could be more hazardous than a dropped popped fly. I was disqualified 7 times for a medical and never gave up - so I understand the persistence that others are giving you for advice - but I also want you to understand that there may be limitations that are there for a reason.

USMCFLYR

If someone were to tell a specific reason/situation where stereo vision and only stereo vision will be required to judge distance, then I will admit defeat. The reason why I still believe I have a chance is because the specialists I have seen for the Air Force keep telling me that it is impossible for someone without stereo vision to land a plane even though I can. They are trying to tell me I have certain limitations even though they have no idea how I perceive the world and they are not be aware that you can still judge distance fine by only using one eye. I would rather deal with the people who have a say in making the standards and not the people who blindly enforce them. The last Air Force doctor who examined me literally laughed saying it is impossible to control an aircraft without stereo vision. I respect her opinion, but she has no idea what my capabilities are.

The private doctor I am seeing also said that passing stereo vision tests does not mean that your brain uses stereo vision all the time. Your brain might only use it during specific tests. That is what she is trying to teach me, to mentally “turn on” my stereo vision. Many people who have to take the different tests and pass may not be using both eyes while they fly. That is where I stand now. I can pass a few tests when I try, but when I am not taking those tests, my brain reverts back to mono vision.

If the goal of this test is to determine if I have the ability to safely land a plane (what every AF doctor has told me), then this needs to be reevaluated. If it is for other reasons, I would like to know. It is true that there may be an important reason for this, but if I am able to hook a banner line 8 feet off the ground, it seems by depth perception is adequate enough.

OK - then it must be symantics here that is partly confusing. You need to quite saying that you DO NOT have any depth perception.
State instead that you can not pass ONE kind of depth perception test.
I personally can't pass the numbers test with the color vision - but I pass every other color test. I've also landed on an aircraft carrier at night using a system of colored lights - so I feel pretty safe about that. But if I were to say that I have NO COLOR VISION and CAN NOT pass any color vision test - then I would probably have no business doing such a thing.
Again - I don't know about just landing an airplane without color vision which it why I keep telling you that the type of flying that you are going to be doing in the military would be different than anything you have done in the civilian world to this point I'm willing to bet.
Don't get the idea that I am against you getting further tests and proving all those flight surgeons wrong. I've had my personal fill with flight surgeons just over the last three years (and almost a year of that med down for various reasons); but I'm also telling you that if you DON'T have adequate depth perception then I don't want you leading my formation to the tanker in bad weather while working the radar and listening to the two (or more comms) going on and then having to concentrate on making your two eyeballs work together while closing on another aircraft at a few hundred miles per hour at some point.
Best of luck Kasserine.

USMCFLYR

How a bureaucracy works
 

K06:

I am not attempting to be pessimistic or to discourage your efforts on this. I salute your desire to serve and wish you nothing but luck,

Having said that, here is the bad news: It does not matter if you can land the plane blindfolded--if the AF says you have to pass test X, then test X you will pass or you do not fly for the AF. Forget about what the doctors say, pro or con. It does not matter what they think you can or can not do, and it does not matter what the purpose of the test is. The system exists to replace effort and allow techs to do the job of many doctors. Getting a passing grade on some acceptable depth perception test has to be done or you do not proceed.

Now, for the good news: a previous poster said that anything can be waived. That is largely true. Ask the AF people (nicely) what AFI (regulation) governs this issue. Ask them if there are changes out to this AFI, ask them if there are local or command supplements that apply to you. Get them to tell you chapter and verse. Read the exact words. Then go to the front of the document and find out who, or what office, is the waiver authority. That waiver authority is the one that can give you permission to move on.

It will be a lot like being your own lawyer. Did not mean to insult you by calling you a lawyer.

Now, for a little more bad news: since you are coming in from the outside, the AF has not yet invested a lot in your training. Institutionally, they can just as easily get someone who passes the tests and that will be the natural inclination. Someone must sign their name to the waiver--what is the incentive for them to help you? The AFI says you are out. If they use the waiver authority to let you in what do they get? Thanks from you is about it. If you fail somehow down the road, someone might ask why they waived the AFI for you--they have little incentive to help you.

So, it isn't impossible, but it is tough. Other possibilities:

Do other services have tests you can pass?
Would you accept a comission in the AF and apply to be a pilot later? You'd be an insider and more likely to get help.

Good luck to you.

WW

K, I'm on your side, but... Sounds like you have a very significant exotropia (the misalignment of your eyes) with monofixation syndrome. The same condition I have, but much more severe. The MFS is where the brain ignores the non-dominant eye's signal. The exotropia is fixable with the right prism glasses, and you can retrain your brain to overcome your MFS while wearing the glasses. But you'll find that when you're stressed, you'll tend to fall back into the habits your body has learned over it's life and will start dropping out the signal again.

Interesting that you point out the limitation of DP to inside a range of 30 feet. You're correct. However, that's exactly how my deficiency was discovered. I had flown the 141 and C-12 and instructed in both the Tweet and T-1. But never had to do air refueling. When I got to the C-17, AR is a required qual, but I just couldn't do it. Had some problems during the day, overcame them, but couldn't do night AR without the glasses. The tanker is about 20 ft away, it's really big, moving in an unusual perspective, and isn't like anything you've ever experienced before. And if you mess it up, at best you divert for gas, at worst you hit the other plane. Add in night, in the clouds, and 18 hours since your last night's sleep, and that adds the stress that leads to loss of the DP, even with the glasses.

Now, you're thinking, okay, how about I come in and just don't fly AR. Not an option; you can't come in on a waiver like that. You need to be assignable to anything. Also, they only have so much training time. They're not going to want to bring you in if they think you'll need extra training time for a known issue. I'm just trying to explain the rationale for why it's so much harder to get a waiver to get in than it is to get one once you're thru.

I, too, applaud your desire to serve. But you may have to settle for not being an AF pilot. I'm not saying it's impossible to get the waiver, but with a 14 degree exotropia, I'm doubtful (my exotropia was a small fraction of a degree, and I was grounded even with that). As previous posters have said, you need to find the reg, and figure out what the limits are and who's responsible for granting the waiver. And either way, start coming up with a plan B. Good luck.

From the NAVY's waiver guide. Not surprisingly more restrictive than the USAF Waiver Guide a 747pg document. Bottom line, waivers not granted for USN/USMC but looks like they are for USAF Class I,II,III aviators

Caveat: The Navy may be more restrictive for shipboard operations and any SNA from day one of flight school is eligible for shipboard operations regardless.

12.4 DEFECTIVE DEPTH PERCEPTION
AEROMEDICAL CONCERNS: Although many visual cues regarding the relative positions of objects in space (depth perception) are monocular. The binocular visual reflex of stereopsis is an important indicator of normal visual acuity in each eye, with normal ocular alignment and normal binocular visual development. Defective stereopsis may make certain piloting duties such as formation flying and aerial refueling more difficult.
WAIVER: No waivers shall be recommended for any candidate or designated Class I duty involving actual control of aircraft. Class II and III personnel must meet standards for depth perception except when remarked as "not required" under types of aviation duty specified under MANMED Articles 15-87 through 15-99.
INFORMATION REQUIRED:

1. Valid tests of stereopsis include:
Armed Forces Vision Tester (AFVT)
Verhoeff Stereoptor
Stereoacuity Plates used with polarized viewers such as the Stereo Optical or Titmus Optical Stereo Fly or Randot. A randomized version of these tests may be used if the examiner deems it necessary.

2. Although the devices test stereopsis at optical infinity, intermediate or near distance-respectively, a pass of any one test meets the stereopsis standard. The tests must be administered and results recorded as specified in MANMED and elsewhere in the ARWG.

3. Recent loss of stereopsis in a designated Class I naval aviator is usually due to a change in refraction or onset of presbyopia, but may also be a sign of cataract, macular or optic nerve disease or new motility disturbance.

4. New failures to meet the stereopsis standard must be evaluated by an ophthalmologist including completion of the ocular motility worksheet as specified by the attached instructions found elsewhere in the ARWG.

TREATMENT: Correct any underlying refractive error or eye disease.
DISCUSSION: Defective stereopsis is typically innate and due to abnormal visual development prior to the age of 9. Causes of defective stereopsis include abnormal ocular muscle balance, amblyopia, anisometropia, microtropia, and monofixation syndrome.
ICD-9 CODES:
368.33 Defective Depth Perception

Kass:

Just to poke you in the eye a little (sarcasm), you might want to reconsider being a pilot for the USAF. After reading your comments on the FFDO program, you might be surprised to know that US Air Force pilots and crewmembers are armed with a sidearm. :rolleyes:

On a more serious note, Kikuchiyo made a very interesting point and observation. His issue was masked until he was subjected to a very demanding phase of flight. This is why you may not have exerienced any issues flying your Cessna.

I urge you to get a second opinion. I had an issue during UPT that almost ended my flying career had I not gotten a second opinion.

But you must be honest with yourself. If you have a known issue, could you live with yourself if you caused an accident?

I have a question for you. What type of depth perception test did you have to get your civilian license? I had the same circle test that the USAF gave me. Did you have problems on that?

-Fatty

Lately, this hasn't been the case.

I just did my physical last week and I agree, it isn't always a 2,3, or 4. I think they might have changed the test. I've heard this technique before but I don't think it is valid anymore.

What I do know is that the older I get, seeing the raised circle is getting harder and harder.

Maybe they have changed it. I had a tech tell me this to, many years ago.

slightly moving your head side to side helps a circle stand out as well, esp on the last ones.

Yeah, I have to move my head a bit, relax, move my head around some more, then take an educated guess on those last ones. They really give me grief.

The first two are obvious to me. The next two are difficult but doable. The last two rows of circles, I'm guessing.

The best advice anyone ever gave me for an eye exam I was even remotely concerned about was: "be as hydrated as you can be and as well rested as possible", not often the most possible combination in this business.

I never had a problem passing depth perception tests until I got into the AF...they sent me to a former Naval Flight Surgeon, he said no problem...notified the AF, they said I still had to pass a test. At the time the AF had an alternate test with a hand held device, passed it at the time, I think over the years I had it memorized.

Did some investigation and found out there were a number of one eyed airline pilots....additionally the standard depth perception test is an optical illusion, right off the bat approximately 50% of the people will not be able to pass it.

Never had a problem landing the 38 in weather or at night. If you do a lot of Cat3's, don't have to see anything. ;)

If you have any problem landing...the IPs will take care of it.

Go for it.

It is not about landing the plane. That's the easiest thing you'll do in the Air Force. It's about judging closure, like when joining on a formation mate, or since you gave 30 feet as an example, judging your position in the envelope when Air Refueling. There may be other times that you can use other ways to judge depth, but one day you could pull into your Formation Partner during an echelon turn.

K06,

One thing of note here...while most things are waiverable to a point in terms of medical standards(see waiver guides I posted) the decision to waive these items generally aren't made in a vacuum or by some arbitrary doctor's opinion or input to the medical folks. They are done with large scale studies to show data in support of the waiver guide recommendations. The point is what isn't waiverable today very well could be waiverable tomorrow. Depth perception as you well know is one of those items that is imperative to the safe operation of all military aircraft by definition/mission. You may get all the civilian second opinions you like and have all of the personal opinions about what it takes to fly military aircraft, but until you do, you may not understand what those on this board with the experience(s) sited are trying to say.

I applaud your efforts to keep trying and don't give up, just realize that sometimes what is written in black and white is there for a reason. I encourage you to re-read the AF's waiver guide that I posted, it appears your case is waiverable at first glance.

Best of luck