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.

I certainly don't claim to know all the details, but my impression is that he only advises the company. Otherwise, you'd have to be one of his clients to get timely access.

AMAS is great. I would also keep trying Doc Faulkner. He can get ahold of someone at the SE Region FAA office and expedite a few medical issues. I am not sure if this is one of them but its worth finding out. He may know of a different Ophthalmologists to see that could get your eye exam faster and as a result the process started quicker.

I'll jump on the AMAS bandwagon. They knew all the exact wording and documentation the FAA wanted to see. Very responsive to both phone calls and emails.

Dr. Faulkner rarely responded to any of my questions. I was in training anyway and the only way I was able to get him to reliably respond was to show up in his office. He never responded to phone calls, and only once replied to an email -- through his admin personnel and it was days after I'd asked the question. YMMV I suppose.

Thanks for all the help gang......





Now anyone know a good divorce attorney and have a few $$ around since I have an empty line for 1/2 the month so no sick time pay?

Faulkner's awesome. I'd go to him in a heart beat before going to Ok City.

I heard he was very good however it's irrelevant if you can't get him to return a call. I was not the only one with that experience according to the CP's office. The other advantage of using the unions medical service is that they connect you with a specialist in the area you have a problem. He will have dealt with similar problems many times and know how to expediate it through the FAA.

True. I never had any problem talking to him, but that was 5 or 6 years ago. He shortcircuited the process of getting my medical back and did it in less than a week when Denver/Ok City would have taken a couple of months at a minimum. I'd call him hourly.

Saw Dr. F the other day on very short notice, (but avoided DALPA offices making it a perfect 27 years!), and he was very helpful. Managed to get an eye exam yesterday so all I need now is the surgeons notes and summaries and I'll be loaded for bear with the FAA.

Had the chance to run over CC in the parking lot but with one bum eye I missed!

Quick follow-up...

Turned in paperwork to Dr. F yesterday, 18, cleared to fly today, 19.

Out less than 2 weeks!

Maybe I should have taken that 3-8 month paid vacation!

retinal tear
 

Immediately see a retinal specialist and they can treat you and you will be fine. (I am a retina specialist in CA)

You can find a local retinal specialist by accessing American Society of Retinal Specialists on google. Good luck!

I have a relative (no pilot) who had one.

Just FYI... It is a BIG TIME emergency. There is a clock on how long something like that can be fixed.

My relative said it looked like a wasp or black splotch which would follow his visual field around.

If you-or anyone you know ever has this, get straight to an opthomologist PDQ.