I had the right eye done 7 years ago, the left eye 4 years ago.

As with all things medical, get this done before you fail a medical.

Go with the monofocal lenses. The mulitfocal lenses have a higher risk of complications, less than ideal outcomes and the FAA does not like them.

Recovery time for a normal job is a day. For pilots it was 6 weeks for a monofocal implant at the time I had mine done, much longer for the multifocals. But I know people who simply went back to work after it was done and put in the paperwork at the next medical. In my case I was told to wait 2 weeks to make sure that they eye was stable, got a new glasses prescription, and by the time my new glasses showed up my wait time was pretty much up anyway.

You will need to submit an FAA form 8500-7 (eye exam), completed by your Optometrist. Also a letter from the treating Ophthalmologist with the usual "good results", "no complications" wording, along with the details of the implant used. Do not let the Optometrist make a mountain out of the 8500-7 -- when in doubt, take the easiest approach to filling in the squares.

I worked with AMAS for the right eye and Harvey Watt for the left eye. I much prefer AMAS. Sorry if I stepped on any toes there, just reporting on my experience.

Serious complications are possible, but rare. A common minor complication is clouding a few years down the road, which is fixed with a Yag Capuslotomy. I had this in one eye; no problem getting it done and no problems with the FAA.

All in all not a big deal. And for what it is worth, my end result is an uncorrected distance vision of 20/15 in each eye, near vision that can be corrected with a set of drug store +1.75 readers and a normal medical with the standard middle aged "Must posses....for near vision". But because intermediate vision matters in this business, I do wear a set of progressive glasses.

Some people may experience discomfort for first 24 to 48 hours. In my case I seeing halos around images and dry eyes for first 24 hours. After that, it was really good.

Can you obtain a first class medical with a cataract you've had since birth but has not gotten any larger?

Also what is the FAA's stance on glaucoma? I don't have it now, but I have a catacrt and my military flight doc says I have a chance of having it so he will be giving me a visual field of view test to hopefully rule it out. Is being diagnosed with glaucoma a career ended in the part 121 world?

Army
 

ArmyFW..I don't know about the FAA's stance on your specific cataract condition. I had cataract surgery years ago and after the exams and proper forms were submitted, it was a non-issue. I also have glaucoma and the feds granted me a 1st class medical with some stipulations. Those included annual eye evaluations and submission of annual reports. They basically want to see that the glaucoma is under control and visual fields are stable. I was diagnosed with both conditions while employed at a 121 carrier and have since retired. I don't know how having either condition today would effect your employment chances. Best of luck to you!

That makes me feel a lot more confident in my career choice (being a pilot in general.) I'm currently fly for the army so I can pass a military physical. But that information helps me for long term planning, I have 6 years left until I can leave active duty, which I would like to do to try and get a seniority number early. But I would stay until 20 years if my future was uncertain because I would always have the retirement check. But now that you have given me that info I don't feel like I would be taking a huge risk by still leaving and staying guard or reserve. Thanks!

ArmyFW..It might also help to ask a local civilian doc authorized to issue 1st class medicals with your concerns and questions..