Eyesight
 

One of my friends in college wants to find out if you need to have absolutely perfect vision in each eye to get your first-class medical. Her overall vision is 20/20, and the vision in her right eye is 20/20, but the vision in her left eye is off a little bit, like 20/40-50ish. She currently doesn't wear glasses or contacts. Would an examiner really deny her a first class medical certificate just because of this tiny problem?

Thanks for your help. This is really important to her.

No, it's not a problem. They don't care what the numbers say as long as you can pass the vision test, which isn't any different from the other classes... I don't think. All you need to pass is "correctable" to 20/20 so worst case scenario would be to get glasses, which I wouldn't figure would be necessary. I just had my eyes checked and I was 20/25 in my left eye and I can pass the medical no problem. It helps if you walk past the chart first for a little cram session.

I'm something ridiculous like 20/400 uncorrected due to a bad astigmatism. No problem passing an FAA 1st class medical as long as I have my contacts or glasses on.

Your friend needs to go to an eye doctor and get glasses before trying an FAA first class medical.

You can get a third class with 20/40 (corrected or uncorrected) in each eye, but they wouldn't give you a second or first class.

With the FAA there are no longer any standards for uncorrected vision...you just need to meet the published standards, either with or without correction.

See, here's the thing. She only has 20/40ish in one of her eyes, and 20/20 in the other, so when she takes the test with both eyes, she's fine. Only problem is, when they test her left eye alone, it's a little sketchy. I just chatted with her and she said she doesn't understand why the AME would want her to get glasses if she checks out fine with both eyes. It's not like she's going to be flying with her right eye closed.

I think she just needs to take the test. Don't tell the doctor anything. If she passes, no problems; if she fails, get glasses. I don't think she would fail.

See FAR 67.103: Distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. Near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses.

Those docs out there don't make exceptions? :D :p

Maybe some break the rules. Mine doesn't.

Do you really want them to be making exceptions? The FAA medical isn't exactly that much as it is...