Found out Optometrist diagnosed me as Glaucoma Suspect last eye exam, currently hold and have renewed first class medical.

M

Micky R

Guest
Greetings,

I'm in my 20's and recently found out that during my last routine eye exam, my Dr. diagnosed me as a glaucoma suspect (40.003). This was in April of 2024 and I renewed my first class August of 2024... I only found out today when requesting my prescription for new glasses from the doctor and looking through it, that he actually made the diagnosis and listed it in my eye exam results. We had only talked about it briefly during my visit as he mentioned one of my nerves look slightly constricted and he recommended I see an Ophthalmologist at some point, but didn't mention that he put it as an official diagnosis and told me not to worry. I'm sort of panicking now after looking online and through some of these forums that I was supposed to report this to my AME when renewing my medical? I am in the process of scheduling another eye exam and getting an OCT to monitor my condition as I'd obviously like to know whether I have Glaucoma or not, but am unsure of what immediate steps I need to take and if this affects my current medical.

Thanks for any advice.
 
I have been tracked for high IOPs over the years and went through periodic glaucoma screens: GDx, Humphreys Visual Fields, and regular slit lamp inspections. So far so good. I've reported this to my AME and its not been a problem. So far, I'm not diagnosed with glaucoma. Treatments range from eye drops to laser surgery to change the eye drainage. FAA Guidance on the special issuance is here: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/special_iss/all_classes/glaucoma.

Here's the form mentioned: https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/form/faa form 8500-14.pdf

It's pretty straightforward. As long as your vision is still good and whatever treatment you are given is resulting in good control, it's not a big thing. Humphrey Visual Fields aren't strictly required, but its the FAA gold standard (and it's an easy test, you stick your head in a dome and click a mouse everytime you see a light blink).
 
flyingron said:
I have been tracked for high IOPs over the years and went through periodic glaucoma screens: GDx, Humphreys Visual Fields, and regular slit lamp inspections. So far so good. I've reported this to my AME and its not been a problem. So far, I'm not diagnosed with glaucoma. Treatments range from eye drops to laser surgery to change the eye drainage. FAA Guidance on the special issuance is here: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/special_iss/all_classes/glaucoma.

Here's the form mentioned: https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/form/faa form 8500-14.pdf

It's pretty straightforward. As long as your vision is still good and whatever treatment you are given is resulting in good control, it's not a big thing. Humphrey Visual Fields aren't strictly required, but its the FAA gold standard (and it's an easy test, you stick your head in a dome and click a mouse everytime you see a light blink).
Click to expand...
Apologies this is all very new to me and have spent all day researching, but to be clear then, from what I'm reading and the resources you linked, diagnosis for Glaucoma suspect is not a disqualifier for a first class medical? I'm see that an actual Glaucoma diagnosis will require a special issuance and to follow the procedures you listed. Just want to make sure this isn't something I was supposed to report during my last medical on my MedXpress, and inadvertently not disclose. That's what I'm most worried about is that I may have mistakenly lied on my medical and turned something simple into a big problem.

Thanks so much for the fast response and information!
 
I was also diagnosed as a "glaucoma suspect." I went and saw my Ophthalmologist and had him fill out the 8500-14 form along with my humphrey visual field results. Took those to my AME.

Glaucoma is a CACI (see: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/C-CACIGlaucoma.pdf). But I'm under 40 so I do not qualify. He was able to call the FAA for approval and I got my renewal certificate couple hours after my exam.
 
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