AKBill
En-Route
What happens to your medical when a pilot looses sight in one eye? Can he/she still exercise privilege's as a PPL? I'm guessing you would be grounded until you get a new medical.
Loss of sight in one eye
- Thread starter AKBill
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wanttaja
En-Route
You'd need a new medical, accompanied by a waiver for the vision issue. In my case, the waiver was issued after a short flight test. If you've been flying for years, you shouldn't have any trouble passing it. Depth perception shouldn't be an issue, we use other cues once the subject gets much out of the reach of our arms.
Ron Wanttaja
Ron Wanttaja
AKBill
En-Route
Craig
Cleared for Takeoff
Man that sucks big ones Bill. Hope you are healing fast and above all, keep a good attitude.
bbchien
Touchdown! Greaser!
AKBill, you're correct. Go get an 8500-7 from an Ophthalmologist (not an optometrist, for this one, and a set of Humphrey 24-2 Visual fields. If the remaining is is "totally good", take to a flight physical, you'll be issued "valid for checkride only". Fly with a CFI in the rt seat, you'll adjust. You will fly 0.5 with the inspector, be given a waiver and no AME will ever inspect the injured eye.....We have about 1,200 monocular pilots.....
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Velocity173
Sorry to hear that. Good luck with the up coming surgeries and the healing process.
Vance Breese
Cleared for Takeoff
My medical was denied because I lost the sight in one eye as part if a traumatic brain injury. My cognitive ability is also impaired.
I took a demonstrated ability medical check ride with a designated pilot examiner for a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) for a third class medical before I earned my PPL.
Several years later I took a second demonstrated ability check ride with the FAA for a second class medical.
When they ask me to cover one eye I pull out my SODA.
My SODA does not need to be renewed.
Brad Z
Final Approach
FWIW, since about April they are no longer doing restricted medicals valid only for medical flight tests.
bbchien
Touchdown! Greaser!
I heard (July) from Dr. RC at aeromedical that they are starting full denials and, “for further consideration”....iszzat so, Brad?
Sorry to hear this, Bill. Hope recovery goes well and you get back to flying soon.
Brad Z
Final Approach
Not exactly sure the process, but it used to be that you'd be referred for a MFT and get a letter and the restricted medical. They did away with the medical, but are still working with the FSDOs to conduct the flights. The difference is they now have to have the inspector act as PIC.
bbchien
Touchdown! Greaser!
Just called. The new process is: AME defers. We provide the 8500-7 report of ophthalmologisy evaluation and Humphrey 24-2 visual field. FAA denies and sends a "for further consideration " letter, in which the airman is asked to call/write the agency and at that time the agency issues a certificate "Valid for Operational Evaluation checkride only" certificate, and authorizes the FSDO to conduct the evaluation (for a bloc of 6 months' time).
bflynn
Final Approach
It feels obligatory to point out here that Basicmed may be an option. It's not if you need a 1st/2nd class medical, but for 3rd class equivalent it is an easier and surer path back to flying.
Personally, for my own peace of mind I would get the eye exam and testing Dr Chien listed above and then take it to my doctor for Basicmed.
Personally, for my own peace of mind I would get the eye exam and testing Dr Chien listed above and then take it to my doctor for Basicmed.
Van Johnston
Pattern Altitude
Best wishes. I am living that temporarily (I hope), with 4 detached retinas since Christmas and surgery #6 coming up Monday. Have enough trouble w/ monocular depth perception signing the credit card pen pad at the dr office; first try is always an air signature. Can't imagine flying. Or landing anyway. Good luck.
AKBill
En-Route
Thanks for all the responses. I have several friends that hold ATP and are CFI's, I will follow there recommendations as the best way to proceed. It's going to take time to heal so for now I'm grounded.
I guess I do a bunch of preventative maintenance, a few upgrades, some painting, preserve the engine for a couple of months.
The ophthalmologist that I am working with at UW Harborview medical center is a great guy maybe he can fill out all the paperwork and i can bring it back to Juneau with me.
I guess I do a bunch of preventative maintenance, a few upgrades, some painting, preserve the engine for a couple of months.
The ophthalmologist that I am working with at UW Harborview medical center is a great guy maybe he can fill out all the paperwork and i can bring it back to Juneau with me.
AKBill
En-Route
Good luck, I hope you have a full recovery, and get back to flying soon
Speedy recovery, AKBill!
What you’re going through sounds scary. Vision is such a precious thing.
All the best from up the road in ANC...
What you’re going through sounds scary. Vision is such a precious thing.
All the best from up the road in ANC...
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Bro do you even lift
Also wish u a speedy recovery. Did you get Cornea Virus? JK AK, you’ll be back in no time!
AKBill
En-Route
Well 3 weeks since accident, headed home. No vision in eye yet. Hoping to get sight back, no guarantees. I have to return to Seattle in 3 weeks for more evaluations of eye. This sucks, hope none of you all have to go thru this.
G-Man
Cleared for Takeoff
For some reason, I just read about this now. AKBill, so very sorry to hear about this. Wishing you a full and rapid recovery. I enjoy your posts and adventures - hope all the rest of them are good adventures.
wilkersk
Pattern Altitude
I have a friend who is completely blind in one eye. He just turned 80 this year, and he's been flying on a 3rd class medical for many years with that one good eye. So, I know its possible. Good luck to you. Hope you're able to get back in the air soon!
AKBill
En-Route
It's going to be a long journey, I'm trying to keep the faith. ThanksSorry to hear that, recover soon
Hoping for the best, I'm a fighter..
Going to try to fly in the next week or so with a CFI. May take some doing, I'm trying to stay positive.
Tarheelpilot
Final Approach
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Tarheelpilot
I worked with a fellow that was a jet captain. He used to place his glass eye around the airplane to mess with the flight attendants. He was a colorful character.
If he could hold a first I don’t see how you couldn’t manage a third.
If he could hold a first I don’t see how you couldn’t manage a third.
steingar
Taxi to Parking
I hope they can make your eye all better, and I'm glad you got a spare.
AKBill
En-Route
Had my 3rd surgery on the right eye. Things are looking up.... No real vision yet but I can see shapes and movement up close, 3 feet.
They used a gas in the eye and I can't fly commercial for 4 to 6 weeks. So I'm stuck in Seattle till after the 1st of the year. Had to spend the last 5 days in. a face down position. Sitting, walking, laying face down, because of the gas.
Not looking forward to spending Christmas in Seattle but what the heck, if it helps get my vison back the time spent will be priceless. Not sure if I will have a job when this is all said and done, but I was looking for a job when I started with this company 20 years ago.
I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas, be safe and enjoy family and friends
No real vision yet but I can see shapes and movement up close, 3 feet. They used a gas in the eye and I can't fly commercial for 4 to 6 weeks. So I'm stuck in Seattle till after the 1st of the year. Had to spend the last 5 days in. a face down position. Sitting, walking, laying face down, because of the gas.
Not looking forward to spending Christmas in Seattle but what the heck, if it helps get my vison back the time spent will be priceless. Not sure if I will have a job when this is all said and done, but I was looking for a job when I started with this company 20 years ago.
I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas, be safe and enjoy family and friends
GMascelli
En-Route
Had my 3rd surgery on the right eye. Things are looking up....
Bill,
Good to hear surgery went well and recovery is moving forward. Follow the doctors orders, take time to heal.
Have a Merry Christmas
Zeldman
Touchdown! Greaser!
Keeping our fingers crossed and in our prayers Bill.
Just pretend Seattle is really Anchorage on steroids...
Merry Christmas and wishing the new year will be better all around.!!
Just pretend Seattle is really Anchorage on steroids...
Merry Christmas and wishing the new year will be better all around.!!
Best of luck to you, Bill.
PaulS
Touchdown! Greaser!
Had my 3rd surgery on the right eye. Things are looking up....
They used a gas in the eye and I can't fly commercial for 4 to 6 weeks. So I'm stuck in Seattle till after the 1st of the year. Had to spend the last 5 days in. a face down position. Sitting, walking, laying face down, because of the gas.
Not looking forward to spending Christmas in Seattle but what the heck, if it helps get my vison back the time spent will be priceless. Not sure if I will have a job when this is all said and done, but I was looking for a job when I started with this company 20 years ago.
I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas, be safe and enjoy family and friends
Good news Bill, Merry Christmas!!
N9GMR
Filing Flight Plan
Think about becoming an Advanced Ground School Instructor. You may not be able to be at the controls of an airplane, but you can still be involved in aviation.
Glad to hear things are progressing, even if slowly!
Five days "facing downward", that sounds so strange... But now, I guess you can look up at Seattle sky... famous for being blue and beautiful all the time.
Time spent healing always sounds formidable when it's in the future... then not so much when it's in the past. It'll be time well spent -- short time, long reward.
If this year's Christmas misses the mark, just reschedule it for sometime in January. That's what we're doing with Thanksgiving this year, which disappeared completely for us -- we just pushed it up a month. Alaskans always appreciate a good excuse to celebrate during the winter, don't we?
All the best,
Five days "facing downward", that sounds so strange... But now, I guess you can look up at Seattle sky... famous for being blue and beautiful all the time.
Time spent healing always sounds formidable when it's in the future... then not so much when it's in the past. It'll be time well spent -- short time, long reward.
If this year's Christmas misses the mark, just reschedule it for sometime in January. That's what we're doing with Thanksgiving this year, which disappeared completely for us -- we just pushed it up a month. Alaskans always appreciate a good excuse to celebrate during the winter, don't we?
All the best,
Van Johnston
Pattern Altitude
Had my 3rd surgery on the right eye. Things are looking up....
They used a gas in the eye and I can't fly commercial for 4 to 6 weeks. So I'm stuck in Seattle till after the 1st of the year. Had to spend the last 5 days in. a face down position. Sitting, walking, laying face down, because of the gas.
Good deal; BTDT x4. Today is 6 weeks since last surgery. Dr said she gave me the 6-week bubble, and it probably has another couple of days before it fully dissipates. The face down was the hardest part. I feel for you.
I told people I see like a horseshoe crab. I can move toward food or away from being food; that's about it.
Best wishes on your recovery.
AKBill
En-Route
Thanks Gary, it will be a long road trying to stay positive
I like your humor BillyJust pretend Seattle is really Anchorage on steroids...
Thanks Dave
Thanks Paul
I like your way of thinking Kath. All the best to you as well
Face down was a hard thing got me to do. Headed back on the ferry should get to Juneau 12/29. $1000 each for the wife and I and they want a neg C19 test before we can board. Doc will not let me fly commercial for 8 weeks. I wish you the best in recovery
Zeldman
Touchdown! Greaser!
Oh boy. I have taken the ferry between Price Rupert and Juneau a few times. This is not a cruise ship, it is a car ferry. No thrills, no frills, no internet, no cell phone service except at some ports and no bar.
The sleeping berths are not comfortable. Depends on the chef, meals can be bland to almost enjoyable. I usually bring along snacks and at least 2 meals and plan to go to the store in Ketchikan to re-supply.
For those that have not experienced the thrill of riding a ferry through the inside passage, let me explain how I cope.....
Until this guy shows up....
....then we sing chantey sea tunes until the captain threatens to make us walk the plank....
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Aztec Flyer
Bill: Great to hear the surgery has you headed in the direction of a full recovery. These things take patience, but we all know you'll be back in the left front seat PIC in due course.
Being away from home is no fun at Christmas, but if there was ever a Christmas to defer celebrating until sometime in the New Year, this messed up COVID one is the year to pick.
Oh, and just think of Seattle as Anchorage on steroids (and with a few hours of diffuse daylight visible through the December rain).
Being away from home is no fun at Christmas, but if there was ever a Christmas to defer celebrating until sometime in the New Year, this messed up COVID one is the year to pick.
Oh, and just think of Seattle as Anchorage on steroids (and with a few hours of diffuse daylight visible through the December rain).