Nearsided?

FLY_CRJ · May 26th, 2004, 16:15

I got my class 3 exam today, and I was tottaly shocked when he told me I barely passed the vision cause I came up nearsided. Suposedly I am 20/30 in the left and 20/40 in the right.

I have been down this eye exam road a few times before and I have always come up 20/20 all across the board. When he said that I almost fell off my chair.

I have always had perfect vision, but he says the FAA requires I be perfect (20/20 20/20 for a first class) in each individual eye, not perfect when both I use both eyes. Yet I asked him wich test was used to determine this, it was a test using both eyes. So I am just blown away. The test seemed skeptical to me, I think I am going to see a vision specialist to see if this is for real. I just cant believe it, I have never worn glasses or contacts and I have no problem seeing very very small distant things.

I am just astonished, will this prevent me from getting a first class? Does having corrected vision on my restrictions keep me from a first class?

....never thought I would have to wear glasses.

flyguy · May 26th, 2004, 16:40

As long as its correctable to 20/20 you'll be able to get the first class. BTW your vision is a lot better than mine and I've got a first class.

mtsu_av8er · May 26th, 2004, 17:59

Nearsighted??

ready2fly · May 27th, 2004, 08:54

I was just wondering if being nearsided was anything like the Far Side. If so - DUDE - you're gonna be RICH!

mtsu_av8er · May 27th, 2004, 14:27

I wanna get paid too!!!

jtrain609 · May 28th, 2004, 08:17

Bling bling baby

ready2fly · May 28th, 2004, 12:08

Word!

GregCollins2 · May 30th, 2004, 07:20

Almost everyone will need glasses sooner or later. It's no big deal unless you plan to fly in the military. Just get a good set of glasses and wear them for the medical.

Newbie · June 3rd, 2004, 07:59

Has anyone ever heard of anyone's nearsightedness and/or astigmatism causing their vision to degrade to the point where they can no longer pass the pysical? I've never had great eyes, and I now have something like a -6.75 diopter correction in one of my eyes (with astigmatism piled on top of that). Maybe in the worst case I could just bail out and do the lasik thing (or there's even something better just around the corner, I've heard)? But is it possible to be so bad that even lasik won't bring you up to snuff? I'm a career changer, and the medical scares me...hesitant to jump ships "blindly" (groan). Anybody have any "insights" (groan again)?

TheShortOne · June 3rd, 2004, 12:29

hey there, I was similar to you as well, my vision was down to -5.5 and -2.75 (don't konw why the difference...) but i did have a slight stigmatism with it. anyway, I went and had the Lasik surgury and it was the best thing i've done. I also have a first class medical without any problems. feel free to pm me if you want some more info on the sugury

rhs · June 3rd, 2004, 15:34

You can get lenses up to -20.00 from what I understand. I'm at -7.50 in one eye (and a career changer) so I'm right there with you. No plans to get lasik or any other surgery though...too risky.

fourierman · June 3rd, 2004, 18:45

Hello all,

I'm in the same situation. My eyesight uncorrected is 20/200 uncorrected (high estimate -- I really have to squint to see that line of the Snellen chart) and 20/30 or so corrected. I've never been able to be corrected to 20/20 (hopefully will change soon though with a new prescription at a new eye doctor).

My suggestion is to first look/ask around and try to find the best opthamologist you can -- preferably one who has a record of excellent results with hard to refract eyes. You may have to pay a bit more than usual (Washington Univ. - St. Louis, for example, is $250-$300 for a basic eye exam/refraction), but when it comes to getting the best/most accurate prescription its probably worth it.

The other option is wavefront surgery. Its fairly new (approved by the FDA in 2002 or thereabouts) and is simply an enchanement to Lasik. www.surevision.com has some information about the procedure. With regard to its success I recall reading some figures that were something along the lines of 90% success rate on 20/20 or better. I think this compares to 70% with LASIK, but my numbers may be way off. Its not 100%, though, so at $1900/eye and the chance of never getting a 1st class med., it probably should be a last resort.

What I'm confused about is why the FARs state you must have 20/20 in each eye for a first class medical, yet there are pilots for the airlines who have only one eye ? http://jetcareers.com/ubbthreads/sho...o=&fpart=1

If that is the case, then I would make an assumption that it is possible to get a first class medical with 20/20 in only one eye with a waiver.

/Tristan

Ecl!pse · June 3rd, 2004, 20:05

[ QUOTE ]
Word!

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh boy. Come on dude, now adays its "werd." with an E!

get wit da program boi!

jtrain609 · June 4th, 2004, 09:13

As I understand it, the biggest risk with LASIK is loosing your night vision. Some people do, some people don't. If you can get away with glasses, wear glasses. If you absolutly can't, then it might be a viable option. One thing to note about skibum is that she isn't an active pilot, but did pass the 1st class medical exam without a problem. That's not to say that it's still safe for everyone. Different people have had different results with the surgery, and if you're career is hanging on it when you can get by with glasses it might not be worth it.

Just my opinion.

kellwolf · June 4th, 2004, 23:43

I've got a really good friend that did LASIK, and she says it's the best thing she's ever done. I'd like to get it done, but I can pass the 1st class with my glasses/contacts. I don't feel like potentially blowing my dreams b/c someone slips with a laser beam. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

TheWife · June 5th, 2004, 13:15

I had LASIK before I had Caleb, I was nearsighted and had astigmatism. My rx was -4.75 and getting worse every year. I can see 20/20 in my right eye and 20/10 in my left, now. It bugs me a little to not have them the same, and they would have tried to match them, but it wasn't worth it to me, cause it is a weird and freaking scary thing to go through. I would NEVER go to one of the $200 an eye type places. I paid $2700 total. I called one of the cheaper places and asked about their track record and the guy said "well, there WAS this one time that I cut a guy's flap off all the way....but we were able to stitch it back on..." Um, yikes! I hung up that very second and decided to pay the big bucks for it. I personally don't know any one that has had any problems with their vision, even night vision, but the problem I still have is dryness. My eyes are very light colored and sensitive, but since the LASIK they have been worse. I have to use eye drops every morning. Still worth it though to me, I'd do it again for sure! If you decide to go that route, do your research, get testimonials, and don't go for the cheapest!

RiddlePilot · June 5th, 2004, 13:19

[ QUOTE ]
I got my class 3 exam today, and I was tottaly shocked when he told me I barely passed the vision cause I came up nearsided. Suposedly I am 20/30 in the left and 20/40 in the right.

I have been down this eye exam road a few times before and I have always come up 20/20 all across the board. When he said that I almost fell off my chair.

I have always had perfect vision, but he says the FAA requires I be perfect (20/20 20/20 for a first class) in each individual eye, not perfect when both I use both eyes. Yet I asked him wich test was used to determine this, it was a test using both eyes. So I am just blown away. The test seemed skeptical to me, I think I am going to see a vision specialist to see if this is for real. I just cant believe it, I have never worn glasses or contacts and I have no problem seeing very very small distant things.

I am just astonished, will this prevent me from getting a first class? Does having corrected vision on my restrictions keep me from a first class?

....never thought I would have to wear glasses.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ain't no thing. I have about 20/400 uncorrected, and I hold a current first class medical. Since LASIK is so new, I just won't have it done on my eyes. I just simply wear glasses, and that's fine with me.

By the way...to the poster that said he had to squint to see the snellen chart, I have to ask "what chart?"

stultus · June 7th, 2004, 15:49

The people that I know who have done LASIK love it and haven't had any problems. That being said, I wouldn't do it unless you are okay with the possibilty of finding another career field if it doesn't work out. http://www.jetcareers.com/ubbthreads...mp;Number=6458

May 26th, 2004, 16:15	#1
FLY_CRJ Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: BJC Broomfield, CO Posts: 48	Nearsided? I got my class 3 exam today, and I was tottaly shocked when he told me I barely passed the vision cause I came up nearsided. Suposedly I am 20/30 in the left and 20/40 in the right. I have been down this eye exam road a few times before and I have always come up 20/20 all across the board. When he said that I almost fell off my chair. I have always had perfect vision, but he says the FAA requires I be perfect (20/20 20/20 for a first class) in each individual eye, not perfect when both I use both eyes. Yet I asked him wich test was used to determine this, it was a test using both eyes. So I am just blown away. The test seemed skeptical to me, I think I am going to see a vision specialist to see if this is for real. I just cant believe it, I have never worn glasses or contacts and I have no problem seeing very very small distant things. I am just astonished, will this prevent me from getting a first class? Does having corrected vision on my restrictions keep me from a first class? ....never thought I would have to wear glasses.

May 26th, 2004, 16:40	#2
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,078	Re: Nearsided? As long as its correctable to 20/20 you'll be able to get the first class. BTW your vision is a lot better than mine and I've got a first class.

May 26th, 2004, 17:59	#3
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Nearsided? Nearsighted??

May 27th, 2004, 08:54	#4
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,137	Re: Nearsided? I was just wondering if being nearsided was anything like the Far Side. If so - DUDE - you're gonna be RICH!

May 27th, 2004, 14:27	#5
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Nearsided? I wanna get paid too!!!

May 28th, 2004, 08:17	#6
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,321	Re: Nearsided? Bling bling baby

May 28th, 2004, 12:08	#7
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,137	Re: Nearsided? Word!

May 30th, 2004, 07:20	#8
GregCollins2 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 284	Re: Nearsided? Almost everyone will need glasses sooner or later. It's no big deal unless you plan to fly in the military. Just get a good set of glasses and wear them for the medical.

June 3rd, 2004, 07:59	#9
Newbie Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 61	Re: Nearsided? Has anyone ever heard of anyone's nearsightedness and/or astigmatism causing their vision to degrade to the point where they can no longer pass the pysical? I've never had great eyes, and I now have something like a -6.75 diopter correction in one of my eyes (with astigmatism piled on top of that). Maybe in the worst case I could just bail out and do the lasik thing (or there's even something better just around the corner, I've heard)? But is it possible to be so bad that even lasik won't bring you up to snuff? I'm a career changer, and the medical scares me...hesitant to jump ships "blindly" (groan). Anybody have any "insights" (groan again)?

June 3rd, 2004, 12:29	#10
TheShortOne Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 3,320	Re: Nearsided? hey there, I was similar to you as well, my vision was down to -5.5 and -2.75 (don't konw why the difference...) but i did have a slight stigmatism with it. anyway, I went and had the Lasik surgury and it was the best thing i've done. I also have a first class medical without any problems. feel free to pm me if you want some more info on the sugury

June 3rd, 2004, 15:34	#11
rhs Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 219	Re: Nearsided? You can get lenses up to -20.00 from what I understand. I'm at -7.50 in one eye (and a career changer) so I'm right there with you. No plans to get lasik or any other surgery though...too risky.

June 3rd, 2004, 18:45	#12
fourierman Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 31	Re: Nearsided? Hello all, I'm in the same situation. My eyesight uncorrected is 20/200 uncorrected (high estimate -- I really have to squint to see that line of the Snellen chart) and 20/30 or so corrected. I've never been able to be corrected to 20/20 (hopefully will change soon though with a new prescription at a new eye doctor). My suggestion is to first look/ask around and try to find the best opthamologist you can -- preferably one who has a record of excellent results with hard to refract eyes. You may have to pay a bit more than usual (Washington Univ. - St. Louis, for example, is $250-$300 for a basic eye exam/refraction), but when it comes to getting the best/most accurate prescription its probably worth it. The other option is wavefront surgery. Its fairly new (approved by the FDA in 2002 or thereabouts) and is simply an enchanement to Lasik. www.surevision.com has some information about the procedure. With regard to its success I recall reading some figures that were something along the lines of 90% success rate on 20/20 or better. I think this compares to 70% with LASIK, but my numbers may be way off. Its not 100%, though, so at $1900/eye and the chance of never getting a 1st class med., it probably should be a last resort. What I'm confused about is why the FARs state you must have 20/20 in each eye for a first class medical, yet there are pilots for the airlines who have only one eye ? http://jetcareers.com/ubbthreads/sho...o=&fpart=1 If that is the case, then I would make an assumption that it is possible to get a first class medical with 20/20 in only one eye with a waiver. /Tristan

June 3rd, 2004, 20:05	#13
Ecl!pse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA/Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 383	Re: Nearsided? [ QUOTE ] Word! [/ QUOTE ] Oh boy. Come on dude, now adays its "werd." with an E! get wit da program boi!

June 4th, 2004, 09:13	#14
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,321	Re: Nearsided? As I understand it, the biggest risk with LASIK is loosing your night vision. Some people do, some people don't. If you can get away with glasses, wear glasses. If you absolutly can't, then it might be a viable option. One thing to note about skibum is that she isn't an active pilot, but did pass the 1st class medical exam without a problem. That's not to say that it's still safe for everyone. Different people have had different results with the surgery, and if you're career is hanging on it when you can get by with glasses it might not be worth it. Just my opinion.

June 4th, 2004, 23:43	#15
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,634	Re: Nearsided? I've got a really good friend that did LASIK, and she says it's the best thing she's ever done. I'd like to get it done, but I can pass the 1st class with my glasses/contacts. I don't feel like potentially blowing my dreams b/c someone slips with a laser beam. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

June 5th, 2004, 13:15	#16
TheWife Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 4,180	Re: Nearsided? I had LASIK before I had Caleb, I was nearsighted and had astigmatism. My rx was -4.75 and getting worse every year. I can see 20/20 in my right eye and 20/10 in my left, now. It bugs me a little to not have them the same, and they would have tried to match them, but it wasn't worth it to me, cause it is a weird and freaking scary thing to go through. I would NEVER go to one of the $200 an eye type places. I paid $2700 total. I called one of the cheaper places and asked about their track record and the guy said "well, there WAS this one time that I cut a guy's flap off all the way....but we were able to stitch it back on..." Um, yikes! I hung up that very second and decided to pay the big bucks for it. I personally don't know any one that has had any problems with their vision, even night vision, but the problem I still have is dryness. My eyes are very light colored and sensitive, but since the LASIK they have been worse. I have to use eye drops every morning. Still worth it though to me, I'd do it again for sure! If you decide to go that route, do your research, get testimonials, and don't go for the cheapest!

June 5th, 2004, 13:19	#17
RiddlePilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 928	Re: Nearsided? [ QUOTE ] I got my class 3 exam today, and I was tottaly shocked when he told me I barely passed the vision cause I came up nearsided. Suposedly I am 20/30 in the left and 20/40 in the right. I have been down this eye exam road a few times before and I have always come up 20/20 all across the board. When he said that I almost fell off my chair. I have always had perfect vision, but he says the FAA requires I be perfect (20/20 20/20 for a first class) in each individual eye, not perfect when both I use both eyes. Yet I asked him wich test was used to determine this, it was a test using both eyes. So I am just blown away. The test seemed skeptical to me, I think I am going to see a vision specialist to see if this is for real. I just cant believe it, I have never worn glasses or contacts and I have no problem seeing very very small distant things. I am just astonished, will this prevent me from getting a first class? Does having corrected vision on my restrictions keep me from a first class? ....never thought I would have to wear glasses. [/ QUOTE ] Ain't no thing. I have about 20/400 uncorrected, and I hold a current first class medical. Since LASIK is so new, I just won't have it done on my eyes. I just simply wear glasses, and that's fine with me. By the way...to the poster that said he had to squint to see the snellen chart, I have to ask "what chart?"

June 7th, 2004, 15:49	#18
stultus Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 523	Re: Nearsided? The people that I know who have done LASIK love it and haven't had any problems. That being said, I wouldn't do it unless you are okay with the possibilty of finding another career field if it doesn't work out. http://www.jetcareers.com/ubbthreads...mp;Number=6458

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