lasik after a new medical...

higney85 · May 9th, 2006, 21:17

I will be getting a new medical (1st class) in a couple of weeks since I only have a 2nd class currently and need to send out some resumes... I am planning on having lasik in the next month, what do I do about the medical? From what I have seen I can continue to fly once my vision stabilizes, and the doc needs to submit a letter to OK city to let them know lasik was performed successfully.... Sound right?

SIUav8er · May 9th, 2006, 21:48

I thought lasik disqualifies you for a 1st class medical

DE727UPS · May 9th, 2006, 21:59

I had LASIK done a few years ago. Do a search. No problems with the FAA or first class. I had the understanding that it isn't recommeded for younger folks. From WebMD.com:

"Age is another important consideration. Depending on the laser system used by your doctor, the minimum age for LASIK is either 18 or 21. The amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness changes through early adulthood. The more correction you need, the longer it takes, perhaps up to your 30th birthday."

JEP · May 9th, 2006, 22:17

You will be fine. The FAA will want some follow up paper work from your doctor stating everything is fine and there are no after effects from the surgery.

I had LASIK a long time ago and my 3rd class medical was delayed until I sent in the stated paperwork.

aloft · May 10th, 2006, 00:53

Your medical is essentially voided once you have the surgery, until your vision stabilizes, your doc signs you off and the FAA gives you the green light. No flying post-op til the FAA says it's ok.

DE727UPS · May 10th, 2006, 01:05

"No flying post-op til the FAA says it's ok"

Here's how I did it...

Vision was "stabilized" when I woke up the next morning. Had the rest of the week off for vacation cause I thought it might take that long. Got a new physical within the week and the FAA doc filled out some special form. They had to fax him the form from OKC as he had never done one before. It was no big deal. Nothing to worry about in my experience.

JEP · May 12th, 2006, 21:26

see recent articles from AOPA:

http://www.aopa.org/members/files/me...efractive.html

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...0511lasik.html

May 9th, 2006, 21:17	#1
higney85 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Memphis,TN Posts: 521	lasik after a new medical... I will be getting a new medical (1st class) in a couple of weeks since I only have a 2nd class currently and need to send out some resumes... I am planning on having lasik in the next month, what do I do about the medical? From what I have seen I can continue to fly once my vision stabilizes, and the doc needs to submit a letter to OK city to let them know lasik was performed successfully.... Sound right?

May 9th, 2006, 21:48	#2
SIUav8er Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: at work Posts: 954	Re: lasik after a new medical... I thought lasik disqualifies you for a 1st class medical __________________ Commercial Pilot, CE-500 Gold Seal CFI.II.MEI IGI Future GoJet Pilot.

May 9th, 2006, 21:59	#3
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,546	Re: lasik after a new medical... I had LASIK done a few years ago. Do a search. No problems with the FAA or first class. I had the understanding that it isn't recommeded for younger folks. From WebMD.com: "Age is another important consideration. Depending on the laser system used by your doctor, the minimum age for LASIK is either 18 or 21. The amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness changes through early adulthood. The more correction you need, the longer it takes, perhaps up to your 30th birthday."

May 9th, 2006, 22:17	#4
JEP Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN (KFCM) (KMSP) Posts: 10,887 Blog Entries: 1	Re: lasik after a new medical... You will be fine. The FAA will want some follow up paper work from your doctor stating everything is fine and there are no after effects from the surgery. I had LASIK a long time ago and my 3rd class medical was delayed until I sent in the stated paperwork. __________________ NJC or Bust.....CountDown Timer

May 10th, 2006, 00:53	#5
aloft Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Inside your OODA loop Posts: 7,006	Re: lasik after a new medical... Your medical is essentially voided once you have the surgery, until your vision stabilizes, your doc signs you off and the FAA gives you the green light. No flying post-op til the FAA says it's ok. __________________ Commercial Pilot, ASEL/AMEL/IA 900+ TT/25 ME Mountain-qualified Search & Rescue/Disaster Relief Mission Pilot, Civil Air Patrol B.S., Psychology, Univ of Utah

May 10th, 2006, 01:05	#6
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,546	Re: lasik after a new medical... "No flying post-op til the FAA says it's ok" Here's how I did it... Vision was "stabilized" when I woke up the next morning. Had the rest of the week off for vacation cause I thought it might take that long. Got a new physical within the week and the FAA doc filled out some special form. They had to fax him the form from OKC as he had never done one before. It was no big deal. Nothing to worry about in my experience.

May 12th, 2006, 21:26	#7
JEP Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN (KFCM) (KMSP) Posts: 10,887 Blog Entries: 1	Re: lasik after a new medical... see recent articles from AOPA: http://www.aopa.org/members/files/me...efractive.html http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...0511lasik.html __________________ NJC or Bust.....CountDown Timer

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