Anyone experience a torn retina?
 

If anyone out there has any experience with a retinal tear or other such eye condition, could you PM me to answer a few questions?:cool:

Thanks!

The very first thing I would do is call ALPA medical in Denver. They will have a eye specialist contact you. It's important that you get advice on how the problem and treatment is documented at the earliest possible time. Simple wording in your records can have a big impact on how soon you can return. Call them ASAP!

So does one use Denver or Dr. Faulkner?

Both are top notch, IMHO. Personally, I'd start with ALPA but wouldn't worry about consulting w/ Dr. Faulkner, if he's already your AME.

Dr Faulkner works for the company. He was also very slow to respond when I had a issue. The ALPA guys had me talking to a specialist in a few hours. Dr Faulkner office did not return a call for weeks until I involved the CP's office.

skol Vikings

FWIW, he is not the company's "doc" anymore. He's been my AME for almost a year and has been great in dealing with the FAA bureaucracy for my SI.

AMAS, of course, is a no-brainer. They are an outstanding resource and we already pay for their services with our dues.

He was the companies Dr in March of last year. I know there were lots of issues with pilots having a difficult time reaching him because of the size of his practice. Did the company terminate his contract?

FWIW....I had already contacted AMAS, and they jumped right on it, but also added that the FAA had about an 8 week backlog....I was hoping to expedite the process or I'll be dealing with a divorce on week 2!

It's going to be almost a month before I can even get scheduled for the eye exam, which seems to be "astronaut" type absurd.....

I have no vision problems and my Optho told me I was fine to fly, which I have been, however in my zeal to pre-plan for my Feb. physical, I mentioned it to my AME and he basically "grounded" me without any other info!

Morally, I felt I'd better follow his guidance even though my vision is fine, still 20/20.

I can't sit home for 3 months.....or 8!

SO.....I'd like to get back in the cockpit ASAP and return to earning the absurd
$$$$$$.

The first thing I would do is get a new AME! Remember the best you can do when you visit your AME is break even. You can't win only lose. The less information exchanged the better.