Does the FAA care about photosensitivity/photophobia?

F

Flicker

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My eyes are "faster" than most people's. I can see some florescent and LED bulbs (particularly tubes) flicker, even when they're not going out. It can cause tiredness and headaches after several hours, so I generally try to avoid being in places that have those for too long. The symptoms are what a normal person would also experience with a flickering light (that they could see) - no big deal at first, but it gets worse over time.

I've never considered putting this on an FAA medical - I've dealt with it for so long that I don't even think of it as a medical issue. However, I may soon have to put it on a federal (non-FAA) form, and it made me wonder what (if anything) the FAA would think about it. It was diagnosed decades before my first FAA medical, but if I remember correctly, it was diagnosed as photosensitivity and/or photophobia. I haven't talked to a doctor about it since then, so it's long since rolled off my medical records.

I've encountered very few florescent tube lights at 10,000'. I see this as a non-issue, but I know the FAA has their own ideas on so many things. Does anyone have any experience with this?

I know the first question for many of you is why I would consider putting this information on a form in the first place, but that answer is long, complicated, and would greatly distract from the question at hand. Thanks for understanding.
 
Photosensitivity is relative, everyone has it to a degree. If it has not caused severe headaches, seizures or some symptom they are asking about, I would not report it. I am more uncomfortable landing in the setting sun out west than most pilots, more comfortable landing with cross wind or light tailwind, which I can and should practice anyway. I would never practice landing in the setting sun.
 
An FAA condition is SYMPTOMATIC and requires Rx treatment.
You presumably meet standards, and the treayment is a pair of ray bans (e.g no Rx).
 
bbchien said:
An FAA condition is SYMPTOMATIC and requires Rx treatment.
You presumably meet standards, and the treayment is a pair of ray bans (e.g no Rx).
Click to expand...
So since I have symptoms (tiredness and eye strain), but no required prescription treatment, this is not of interest to the FAA? I didn't realize that. (If it makes any difference, the treatment is simply to avoid being in places with flickering lights for more than a few hours at a time.)

So I should continue to not report this, as it's of no interest to them?
 
To actaully give "advice that sticks" I'd have to read the file but it sounds like NOT. Discuss with your AME!
 
I am also "light sensitive"; also told decades ago. Same solution; avoid fluorescents. Especially T4 and T8s. I so far have not had issue with most LEDs. The answer for me is Maui Jims and Oakley instead of Ray Bans :D
I have told two AMEs, one called the FAA. Answer both times, issue no problem with class 3 since there is no prescription.

As @bbchien implied. It could be case specific, so contact him offline if you want something besides a free opinion from some random person on the net.

Tim
 
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