Cindypilot

I have never worn contacts lenses and being in my mid-forties I'm using bifocals to program the box and readying charts, jepps, etc... I've started doing some research on contact lenses for near vision. This is what I have found so far for contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) – minimum of one month of use. Wearing only one contact lenses for near vision is prohibited. My first class medical is due in October so I was think about setting up an appointment this week and try bifocal lenses in non-flying activities before I tried adding them to my medical. Any suggestions or experience with this issue? I'm tired of looking like a geek when I slide my cheaters in front of my sunglasses.

coopervane

Hey cindypilot,

I'm in the same boat as you. I tried bifocal contacts and, while they worked, I couldn't stand them.

I had to blink everytime I switched from outside, to inside, and back outside, to inside. Like we do constantly during an approach. My DX said that they work for some better than others and they are not perfected.

Right now, I am struggling through just wearing straight contacts and squinting at the little stuff......but that can only be done for so long. I'll probably go to bifocal contacts or glasses in the next couple of years. I'm hoping for a miracle product in the mean time.

I looked at getting LASIK mono vision but the FAA hoops you jump through scares me and there is no going back if you have bad luck.

I would try bifocal contacts if I were you. It certainly can't hurt. See if you can find a good eye doc that is ex Air Force. They will help you out the most.

PilotAce2112

Add contact lenses to your sunglasses... I did this with Hydrotac. These things are little lenses that use water as a glue to stick to your sunglasses or glasses. You can pick the strength you need. I got mine through Amazon. I was able to trim them down a bit to fit my sunglasses just right and they work great.