FAA sends new medical.. Requiring glasses
01-23-2024, 03:51 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Position: NYC 7ERA
Posts: 2,082
FAA sends new medical.. Requiring glasses
Problem is, I've never required glasses nor failed a vision test.
I am on a SI for OSA and some other issues, so them mailing me a medical months after my doc gives me the "AME MAY ISSUE" one is normal.
They added in Limitations:
Not valid for any class after 02/29/2024. Must use corrective lense(es) to meet vision standards at all required distances.
I've never needed glasses to pass. Not even close. 20/15 near, 20/15 distance. Just had my annual eye doctor checkup last month.
I am on a SI for OSA and some other issues, so them mailing me a medical months after my doc gives me the "AME MAY ISSUE" one is normal.
They added in Limitations:
Not valid for any class after 02/29/2024. Must use corrective lense(es) to meet vision standards at all required distances.
I've never needed glasses to pass. Not even close. 20/15 near, 20/15 distance. Just had my annual eye doctor checkup last month.
01-23-2024, 09:05 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Position: NYC 7ERA
Posts: 2,082
OKC is insisting it's 'corrected to' but cant show us where it says that.
Doc is writing letter to OKC. Because as of right now, I can't fly. Medical requires corrective lenses. I don't have them.
But I am out of work until this is fixed.
Thanks FAA.
01-23-2024, 09:12 AM
#4
Perennial Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 12,193
Doc has sent her copy of my paperwork to them. CC'd me. It plainly shows 20/20 uncorrected.
OKC is insisting it's 'corrected to' but cant show us where it says that.
Doc is writing letter to OKC. Because as of right now, I can't fly. Medical requires corrective lenses. I don't have them.
But I am out of work until this is fixed.
Thanks FAA.
OKC is insisting it's 'corrected to' but cant show us where it says that.
Doc is writing letter to OKC. Because as of right now, I can't fly. Medical requires corrective lenses. I don't have them.
But I am out of work until this is fixed.
Thanks FAA.
Ask for them to loan you an old pair of their display glasses that are just plain glass. Put them on and show them that you are now 20/20 at distance and 20/40 near.
Go back to work since you are now legal.
When your AME gets the guys at OKC to admit they screwed up, return the glasses with a fifth of the optometrists favorite.
You can thank me later.
01-23-2024, 10:02 AM
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 33
I also have a SI for vision (and other issues.). For years my medical had very specific wording related to my situation. Starting last year I got the same wording as yours from my FAA- mailed medical, and last month my AME-issued one had the same wording. My AME explained that's it's new boilerplate language meant to cover all manner of vision situations. His opinion (backed up by the RFS) was that they key wording is "all required distances." If you don't need lenses at that distance then it doesn't apply.
I've had much better luck dealing with the local RFS (Chicago in my case) than OKC, so you might try that route if you haven't.
I've had much better luck dealing with the local RFS (Chicago in my case) than OKC, so you might try that route if you haven't.
01-23-2024, 12:04 PM
#6
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Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 767/757 CA
Posts: 2,720
I also have a SI for vision (and other issues.). For years my medical had very specific wording related to my situation. Starting last year I got the same wording as yours from my FAA- mailed medical, and last month my AME-issued one had the same wording. My AME explained that's it's new boilerplate language meant to cover all manner of vision situations. His opinion (backed up by the RFS) was that they key wording is "all required distances." If you don't need lenses at that distance then it doesn't apply.
I've had much better luck dealing with the local RFS (Chicago in my case) than OKC, so you might try that route if you haven't.
I've had much better luck dealing with the local RFS (Chicago in my case) than OKC, so you might try that route if you haven't.
01-23-2024, 12:14 PM
#7
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 37
ditto...get two pair of Walmart readers and go back to work and wear them "if" you need them until this gets cleared up. FAA requires a second pair. Was asked during a ramp check last summer if I had my second pair.
01-23-2024, 01:45 PM
#8
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,249
Prett sure second pair no longer required by the FARs, unless it's in your FOM. I carry one anyway.
01-23-2024, 01:49 PM
#9
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,249
Have your eye doc fill out the FAA vision form and carry it around with you.
If you're really worried, anybody's vision can benefit from at least a slight correction for something, maybe a tiny astygmatism. Have the doc fine tune your vision and give you a scrip. Dumb, but might save you grief on an FAA line check. Or as was mentioned, dime-store bifocal cheaters with uncorrected tops.
If you're really worried, anybody's vision can benefit from at least a slight correction for something, maybe a tiny astygmatism. Have the doc fine tune your vision and give you a scrip. Dumb, but might save you grief on an FAA line check. Or as was mentioned, dime-store bifocal cheaters with uncorrected tops.
01-23-2024, 02:56 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,354
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