Dear Capt Lim,
I am hoping to join a flying school and want to know if my eyesight will prevent me from doing so. I have +0.25 in both eyes and I want to know if that will affect me in my flying. I would also like to know the maximum limit of eye power that one can hold when flying and the effect of its correction by laser treatment. Thanking you in advance, George Cyriac. Hi George, Another common question to this site! Well, below I will elaborate a little more for the benefit of many others who continue to ask me these kinds of questions… There are three classes of medical certificate for pilots. For instance, if you apply for FAA (US) Medical Certification, the vision requirements are as below:-
I assume you would be going for the First Class medical certificate as this is the standard that all airline pilots would strive for. In Europe, the JAR Class 1 (same as CAA UK) standard is used. (For your information, the FAA 20/20 is the same as JAR 6/6) JAR Class 1 Requirements Distant Vision It must be at least 6/9 in each eye separately and 6/6 using both eyes together with or without glasses or contact lenses (correction). If you need correction the refractive error must not exceed +5.00 dioptres of long sight or -6.00 dioptres of short sight. Astigmatism must not exceed 2.00 dioptres. The difference in correction between each eye must not be more than 2.00 dioptres. Example: If you have astigmatism with a maximum of +2.5 & -3.0 dioptres, would that disqualify you? Yes, you are outside the limit of +/- 2.0 dioptres. Many have asked me to interpret dioptres. Well, to the layman, 1.00 dioptre is the same as 100 degrees. So your +0.25 dioptre or + 25 degrees is well within refractive error correction limit of between +500 degrees and -600 degrees. … so good news! +0.25 will not stop you from becoming an airline pilot! Why do opticians use dioptres limits? Well that is just plain and simple science. The dioptre is not a measure of how well you are seeing it. It is the measure of the strength of your lenses. It’s only function is to make sure that your optician and the guy who makes your glasses understands each other. Near Vision On the standard near vision eye chart you must be able to read the N5 print between 30 and 50 cm and the N14 print at 100 cm, with or without correction. Contact Lenses You may wear contact lenses as a professional pilot (but not to correct near vision). If you do wear contact lenses, you should bring a report from an optometrist to your initial Class 1 examination, which includes the following: • your contact lens specification and corrected visual acuity; Refractive Surgery The CAA does not recommend refractive surgery to gain a medical certificate to fly. The decision to have this type of treatment must be between you and your eye specialist. In fact the certification limits of eye correction with glasses and the limits of refraction before surgery are the same, so it is not possible to gain a medical certificate by having refractive surgery that you would not have obtained by wearing glasses. However, if you have had refractive surgery, Class 1 certification will be considered three months after a LASIK procedure, (provided an assessment including refraction has been carried out at two months post-operatively). Certification can be considered six months after LASEK/PRK for myopia is usually possible one year after other types of operation. Please note that: Certification • the pre-operative refraction should not have been more than + 5.00 to -6 dioptres. Regarding laser eye correction, one AME’s (Aeromedical Examiner) advice was “don’t do it”. “If something goes wrong (which does happen in a few cases) then you can say goodbye to your flying career!” Color Vision You will be tested for normal color vision with Ishihara Test Plates (a series of numbers outlined by different coloured dots, easily seen by someone with normal color vision). If you fail these you will need to pass an approved lantern test (a series of coloured lights that you must identify correctly) in order to gain a JAR Class 1 certificate. Color Vision Testing You will be tested in the first instance with the Ishihara Test Plates. These are a series of numbers outlined by different color dots, easily seen by someone with normal color vision. If you fail these and you wish to fly at night or obtain a Class 1 medical certificate, you will need to pass an approved lantern test. These tests involve a series of coloured lights shown to you, which you must correctly identify. For Class 1 certification, lantern testing is carried out using the Beyne and the Holmes-Wright lanterns. A pass on one of these tests potentially allows for an unrestricted medical to be issued. If you fail the lantern test, the CAA can issue you with a Class 1 medical certificate that is only recognised in the UK, which allows you to instruct during daytime and within UK airspace (public transport privileges are not possible). From December 2006 the requirement for periodic comprehensive eye examinations has changed. Class 1 holders who now require these examinations are those whose spectacle prescription is in one or more of the following categories:
If in doubt your Aeromedical Examiner (AME) will be able to advise you. Just remember, the FAA (US) is generally more practical than the JAR on the eyesight requirement. They used to require a waiver if uncorrected vision was worse than a certain level, I believe 6/60 or 20/200. Everybody who asked for this waiver got it and after a number of years where the accident statistics of these waivered airmen exactly matched their un-waivered counterparts; and there were no accidents where poor eyesight was listed as a causal factor, the FAA dropped this requirement for a waiver. Now all you need is 20/20 with or without correction in the USA. Monday, 05 January 2009 14:26 Set as favorite
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Trackback(0)Comments (141)Subscribe to this comment’s feed hello captain Lim ! i have a questionwhat size is the n5 and what size is the n14 for the snellen eye chart ?
I am totally blind but have a great sense of hearing and excellent singing voice , Low-rated comment [Show]
Too blind to read?Dear Captain Lim, Thanks for providing such a useful summary of sight requirements for flying. Are you going crazy with all the people above asking questions you have already answered in your original posting? Seriously, READ THE INFORMATION PEOPLE!!! If you can’t be bothered to read the few paragraphs above to find out whether you qualify to fly you’ll never get through the aviation exams. Too blind to read?Hi Jamie, Yes, I am going crazy over these repeated questions Now you know why I have decided to change the title of my website to “Just about Flying” from “Ask Captain Lim” Thanks for reminding my readers… eyesightI heard that as long as one’s eyesight can be corrected to 20/20, they can be a pilot. Is that true captain lim?
Converting from FAA to JARI am training for my PPL in the UK, and under JAR eyesight requirements cannot go on to qualify for a commercial licence due to my astigmatism (+2 / +2.5). It looks like FAA rules are more relaxed on this. Can I do my commercial license in the US and convert to an international license?
correct visioni am having -1 eye sight will it create any problem for me to become a pilot
open your damn eyes wannabe pilots!the answer to all your questions are right at the top of the page! please
Can I become a pilotDear Cpt Lim, I am unable to comprehend a simple internet article, nor take the information provided and get any finalised answers myself with my doctor, the FAA etc. Despite my laziness and complete lack of intelligence can I become a pilot with the lives of hundreds of people in my hands? Please reply straight away as I think i’m very important and that you have loads of time to answer stupid questions …Hi Capt. Lim
My eyes have a power of +0.5 and +1.0…Can i become an airline pilot and get my ATPL licence? Also do you get your CPL if you do aeronautical Engineering…I would be really glad if you can answer these questions… thanks… dpak Validity of Information with respect to dateDear Captain you mentioned “at least 6/9 in each eye separately and 6/6 using both eyes together with or without correction”. SIA website indicated “visual acuity of at least 6/60 without optical aids, correctable to 6/6”. They did not mention one eye or both eyes My case tested by doctor is one eye 6/9(corrected) & one eye 6/6(corrected) Thank you very much in advance! gilleinHello friend, if you want see true physics go here nothing i hope it will help you
…hello captain lim,
i want to confirm with you if my left side is about three hundred something and my right side is about four hundred something… is this ok to becoming a pilot? ??Hello,
My eye sight is -1 both eyes, can i become a pilot ? And shall i go for laser ? Seriously people…There is a comprehensive explanation above of all the visual requirements for being a pilot. As someone else said, if you cannot be bothered to read it (or in fact understand it) then you have no hope of becoming a pilot. I personally want to thank you Captain Lim as you answered all the questions I wanted to ask. Great site. …Hello sir,i’m sumithra. I have +0.75 power in my both the eyes. with is power can i become a pilot?
Dear Siri think i have an eye sight problem but . wen i went to an aviation center they said that u can become a pilot even with wearing contact lenses and spectacles.. is it true pls reply soon Dear Captain,My eye prescription says 2.50 left eye and 2.50 right eye can i become a pilot with this shortsightedness. PLEASE REPLY ME SOON MY E MAIL ID IS ‘> raveenpankaja@yahoo.com …Sir,
My name is Brandon and I’m currently 17, I have a near sightedness of 25/50 and astigmatism of 0.70/1.00 dioptres. will that stop me to be an airline pilot?Please do reply best at my email.. ‘> brandonyaprap@yahoo.com your prompt response is greatly appreciated …Dear sir I’m 18 years old from my child hood I had a hope to be the best pilot in the world, I have a 20/20 eye sight but I have a problem with my left hand eye it’s vision is poor. But even now I have my dream and target. sir is it a problem to my dream.
Can i still pass the vision test?my glasses lens is -0.75. My parents says that with this vision on both eyes, i wont be able to become a pilot. Is this true captain?
Can I still be a pilot with my prob. eyes?Sir,
My name is Enoch Sharma and I am 14 years old. I wear glasses with the left glass as +1.50 and the right glass as +1.00.And my vision is 5/6. Do I still have the chance of flying an A320 as a Captain?? Please send the reply on this e-mail address- ‘> enochsharma@gmail.comThank you!! Sir. training course…dear Captain,
is better for me to take the airline’s pilot training course or take the training course in the pilot training school..?which 1 do u prefer..?i really need ur opinion…thz… pilot training course..sorry…Mui yee again…can u send me ur reply through my e-mail..? my_pandabear@hotmail.com…thz alot…
can these eyes still fly?Dear Captain,
I’m a 15 year old girl whos deams of being a pilot have lead me threw most of my life so far. I have 40/42 vision and i was wondering if I could still fly with contacts or if I should get Lasex when im a bit older. Please reply soon at ‘> somegirlfrom1996@gmail.com thx EyesightEver since I was a child, I want to be a Commercial Pilot… But when I came to College, I have eye glasses, 75/100. And I’m afraid that my dreams will fade and won’t come true because of my eye vision.
Dumbducks LOLit’s funny how u guys ask like kids. It’s there on the page just read it if u really are that intelligent.
My eye sightMy eye sight on left eye is -3.75 and on right is -3.35
will that stop me to fly a plane ? Please reply to me on ‘> shabbirkhurram@hotmail.co.uk thank you siri am color blind but i want to be an AME .can i apply for liecence plz info me if there is any rule by which i qualify the AME exam.
thaks Weird regulationsDear Sir, I really want to get my ATPL in Europe but I suffer from more than 2D Astigmatism, actually near to 4 dioptres. dandasir,
i want to become aeronautic engineer,I have -4 eye sight can i become aeronautic engineer differences between Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot and Private PilotWhat is the differences between Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot and Private Pilot and what is the pay of each type of pilot number of months to to be a pilot and more info
Thanks differences between Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot and Private PilotWhat is the differences between Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot and Private Pilot and what is the pay of each type of pilot number of months to to be a pilot and more info
Thanks …What is the different between Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot and Private Pilot. what is the pay of each type of pilot and the the number of months to be a pilot and more info of each pilot type. Please reply me via email ‘> rasul_ashik@hotmail.com
different between Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot and Private Pilot.What is the different between Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot and Private Pilot. what is the pay of each type of pilot and the the number of months to be a pilot and more info of each pilot type. Please reply me via email ‘> rasul_ashik@hotmail.com
eye sight problemi am having +2.5 in both eye is that i will be disqualify please please please please please please reply
can i become a pilotsir, can i become a pilot if my eyesight in both eyes is -6.0 and +2.5? plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz reply i will be thankful to u EYE SIGHT PROBLEMDear captain Lim,
My name is Gunalan and I am 18 years old.i am wearing glasses… . Do I still have the chance to become a pilot?? Please send the reply on this e-mail address- ‘> igunalanz_01@yahoo.com…thnks for your further kind co-operation.. …dear cpt.Lim
my eyesight is 20/100 can i be an airline pilot what can i do to correct my vision i am 13y/o my right eye can see perfect my left has poor eyesight is there anyway to correct my vision pls email me at verlord26001@gmail.com‘> overlord26001@gmail.com tnx can i becomea pilothi capitan am wearing -6.00 and -4.50 and I wear lens can I become a comersial pilot
One eyeYo Captain.
First of all 99 percent of the people asking you questions look like they are totally bllind. Not sure if you bother logging on to your own site now. I blew my lefty out with fireworks a cuppla years back. I did read that you have to have certain amount of vision in each eye. Clearly i can see your answers better than most here but just noticed someone mention both not single. Whats me chances sir. I only wanna fly my own chopper eyesightdear captain,
i have -6 eyesight weak can i become an airline pilot plzzzz reply me …do we have any entrance exams 2 become commercial pilot or only by the payment????
entrance examdo we have any entrance exam to become a commercial pilot or only by the payment???????if only by the payment,then what is the minimum amount that is required to be payed for that???
Thank You Verymuch.Dear Captain Lim:
I was vision checked to get a job. And having passed everithing and with a -1.75 in both eyes, they made me a Ishihara Test. I could read some plates but not all and the optometrist said that I am unnable to work in high places with step ladders. The incredible is that I can see all colors , among them the red and green, on safety signals, easily from at least 200 mts or too at 20 cms. I think the Optometrist is wrongly giving a medical diagnosis due to what you are teaching here and because I am not a pilot but an Electrician. Sincerelly Yours Rafael López from Cali- Colombia. …dear captain lim;
I am hoping to join a flying school and want to know if my eyesight will prevent me from doing so. I have +2.5 in both eyes and I want to know if that will affect me in my flying. that will affect my ambition to become a pilot?.. whether my eye power will make a problem in FAA medical certification? Near VisionHi Captain Lim ,
I’m wearing glasses -5.00 for both eyes , can i be a commercial pilot? ning_shin_6678@hotmail.com reply please , thanks for your further kind cooperation naHave the vision requirements changed to allow corrected vision? Was there a time when pilots needed 20/20 uncorrected vision?
…Hi captain Lim, I’m wearing glass -3.25 for both eyes ,can i become a commercial pilot …i want to be a pilot but my eyesight is week….it is 4 of both eyes….will i be a pilot??
sir i have -0.75 in both eyessir i have -0.75 in both eyes and i want to become a commercial or a private pilot and thats my dream so can i become having this much of eyesight please reply in this email id of GMAIL : shivaji91998@gmail.com
………Hi captain lim, I have lost 1 degrees in my right eye and 0,5 degrees in my left eye and I am 13 years old and I want to be a pilot……so is that going to stop me? …i am having a eye site of -7 on my both eyes so can i become a airline pilot…please answer to my e-mail ‘> iamrajkumark@gmail.com
***hi ,dear capitan.i wear glass,my both eyes are 4 and4/5 can i be a pilot? my email is, kasrarazavi@gmail.com thank u
short sitedear captain my left eye is -1.5 and right 0.75 sir does i can be a captain INFORMATION ABOUT EYE SIGHT MEDICAL TEST FOR COMMERCIAL PILOTHELLO SIR,
I am tejas shete from INDIA. I am 15 years old. Iam want to be a commercial pilot. I am studied in 10th standard. when i started to found infomation about commercial pilot i found that there is eye medical test for commercial pilot. Iam wearing glasses of -1.75 can i become a commercial pilot and also please send me what is the normal number of eye for commercial pilot.plese send me this infomation on my email account: ‘> patiltejas1998@gmail.com …Sir, I want to ask that my eyesight is weak and my both eyesight number is -3 but i can see clearly with my spectacles, so can i become a commercial pilot in future. Please send the information about the minimum eyesight requirements for commercial pilots on my email id and my email id is ‘> ftauseef1995@hotmail.com
eyesightsir,i am sadeem khalid.i wanted to know that is wearing glasses a problem for becoming an airline pilot.my eyesight is -1.75 and -2 in both eyes.but with wearing glasses it is 20/20 partially.please reply me
short sightedness of -6.5,-7.5sir,
can i be eligible to be a pilot & can i get a job as my eyesight is -6.5 in one eye &-7.5 in other eye. please reply me.. my mail id ‘> mkiran218@gmail.com i hope i will receive true information regarding this as early as possible.. About Pilot licenceDear Capt Lim
I want to become a pilot in my future but i have some question. (suppose I am pilot at the age 24) but what happen if my eyesight become very poor condition at the age of 40 and also medically unfit at the age of 40. then after that what so i do ? my email id :- ‘> neog.debashish@gmail.com please reply as soon THANKS Is my eyesight eligible for becoming a pilothello sir my name is Anup and i am from india
my eyesight is (-2.5) diopters and i am wearing contact lenses from more than 6 years will i be eligible to become a pilot do reply for this post if you can plz send me additional information of becoming a pilotto my email address my emailid is ‘> anupshamanur2109@gmail.com Confusing about eyesight after laser can become Pilot.dear sir,
my eyesight is -5.00 for both the eyes, can i still be a pilot.can i have a laser operation done?kindly reply me at my E-mail: ‘> namxeng@hotmail.com thankyou, vins Still confusing about eye laser can become pilot.dear sir,
my eyesight is -4.25 for both the eyes, can i still be a pilot.can i have a laser operation done? kindly reply me to my E-mail: namxeng&hotmail.com thankyou. Still confusing about eye laser can become pilot.dear sir,
my eyesight is -4.25 for both the eyes, can i still be a pilot.can i have a laser operation done? kindly reply me to my E-mail: namxeng&hotmail.com thankyou. Information about eyesight requirement for commercial pilotHELLO,
SIR,I have eye problem my no.-1.75 in both eye can i become a pilot.kindly reply me to my E-mail ‘> patiltejas1998@gmail.com …i am just a 16 year old kiddo..its my dream to be a pilot…but as many have already asked you above about their eyesight problems…please do explain me in a simpler way i have -0.25 and -0.75 vision problem… can sdo laser and correct my vision and would be approved to be a PILOT 😐
eyesighthello,ive got a problem with my eyesight too.i wanna becomee a pilot,however whether its commercial or air force,havent decided yet.my right eye is 6/6,while the left is -0.25.Will it really affect me if i choose to become either of the two types or it isnt just a big deal?I mean,its very slightly weak and only in the left eye.by the way,im 16
eye sightHELLO,
SIR,I have eye problem my no.-1.5 in both eye can i become a pilot .kindly reply me to my E-mail ‘> ‘> shayeelakhtar@gmail.com mrDear Capt Lim, I am hoping to join a flying school and want to know if my eyesight will prevent me from doing so. I have -1.25 in both eyes and I want to know if that will affect me in my flying. Thanking you , Blind people cannot fly planesDear all commenters, By reading your comments, I have noticed that the majority of you must be blind (as the answers to your questions are in his article). It is with a deep feeling of sympathy that I have to inform you that blind people cannot fly planes. LasikLets say I had Lasik surgery in the past and my eyesight is now 6/6 would it matter what it was before and how would anyone know if it was corrected from parameters that would have ruled me out?
…Dear captain, I want to became a pilot but I have a specs on eyes of -1.75 in both eyes can I became pilot and also I m thinking to do laser operation of eyes after operation can I became a pilot plz plz reply me fast as soon as possible Thankyou Jig’s eligibility air piolet deplomamy one eye is infected by glaucoma
i m intrested to drive plane so in this case is it possible to give me admision? or suggest me any related field job i m just 10th pass student eye sightsir,
my ambition is to become poilet sir.but i has sight 2.0 for my left eye and 1.75 for my right eye. is there any chance of joining in aviation please, iam requesting you sir to comment fast for my doubt. but iam well in my health this is the on problem i has sir eyesight problemdear captain, i were supposed to wear spectacles due to low eyesight vision. my eye sight is R -3.00, L -3.5. so , i am able to become a commercial pilot or not? Elgible to fly aircraftSir i have power of -1.25 and -1 in right left respectively and i need to know will i be eligble to become a pilot and i have just passed 10
Requirements For a helicopter pilotSir, I want to become a helicopter pilot in india. What should i have in myself to become that?
I HAVE DONE OPERATION ON LEFT HAND &AND I HAVE EYE SIGHT MYOPHIADEAR CAPTTAIN LIM;
I HAVE DONE OPERATION ON MY LEFT HAND WHEN I WAS STUDYING 4TH STANDARD & I HAVE LONGSIGHTNESS SO TELL ME SOME IDEA’S TO CURE PLEAS MAIL ME ‘> manoks98@gmail.com 9 myopiaSir i am 16 years old and my name is Yiannis i have a big problem with my eyes i have 9 myopia can i become a pilot if i am wearing glasses? if you can sir apply to ‘> yiannis1x@yahoo.gr thanks a lot
9 myopiaSir i have a big problem with my both eyes i have 9 myopia … can i become a pilot with 9 myopia? oh and i wear glasses Sir please apply tou that e.mail : ‘> yiannis1x@yahoo.gr thanks a lot
EligibilitySir,
can i be eligible for training my, i have -3.5. Sir please reply me. EyesightDear captain lim. My eyesight is -2.75 can I become a pilot. Send me at. ( Shaheermuhammad86@yahoo.co.uk)
About eyesiteSir,For becoming piolet I can perform any surgery in order to get accurate vision will u acccept
eyesight problemsir i hav -4.0 in right n -3.5 in left will i be elligible for becoming a pilot??????
can correcting our sight by laser operation is oksir, im interested in joining civil aviation but ha sight of +0.25 in one eye and +0.5 in another , by lasik surgery i can rectify it . will the surgery affect my application?
Best flight school.Sir, Can you tell me which are the best flight school and can you tell me which is affordable fees to complete the professional commercial pilot couse . Weak eyesightSir,
It is my dream to become to become a pilot .But I always have a tension in my mind about my eyesight ,its weak.About (-4.00 D )in both my eyes.One question comes in my mind that is problem of eyesight .I pray to God that this problem of eyesight should’nt come in front of my future.So, I would be very grateful to you if you suggest me some useful information about this problem.Please tell me that I am capable to become a pilot.Waiting for you sooner reply. Thank you. Raj SinghHEY CAPT.
I have an eyesight of -3.5 dioptres can i be a commercial pilot Trap for older pilotsFor anyone who opts for lens replacement surgery (either for cataracts or vision correction), it should be noted that certain types of lens implants may automatically exclude you from obtaining a pilot’s licence in some jurisdictions. While the FAA allows multifocal IOL’s (provided the applicant can meet visual acuity standards) CAA (UK) and CASA (Australia) will not accept multifocal IOL’s, no matter how well you do in tests.
Physical eligibilityHello captain,
Can a corrected ptocis person be able become an pilot.i had ptocis on my left eye and undergone 2 surgeries for correction,now my left eye can lift till normal eyesight level.if the vision meets the requirements,can i become pilot.please let me know.thank you. With regards, Charles Eyesight problem.Sir,
I am interested to become an airline pilot! The problem what i am facing is my eye sight! Well, i have -6.5D in my both eyes, sir , am i elligible for become pilot? If not, after laser treatment of my eyes then am i elligible? Eyesight problemSir currently I’m of 15 and I have 5.0 and 5.25 in my right and left eye respectively.So, sir can you tell me that would I be eligible for becoming a pilot even after having a laser surgery or without laser?
Eyesight problemSir currently I’m of 15 and I have 5.0 and 5.25 in my eyes , so after a laser or without it can I become a pilot?
Original GraffixOriginal Graffix
https://www.originalgraffix.com.au/ are well known on the Gold Coast, and continue to do the Carrara, Surfers Paradise Night Markets and various Shows around Australia Eye sideHey captain,
I am Rushi I want to know that I have eye side Problem of both eyes right -3.5 & left -3.4. So can I become a pilot …? Eyesight problemSir,
I am interested to become a commercial pilot but in my right eye in have +3.25 and on left eye it is +3.75 can i apply for cpl or DGCA will not allow me to do cpl please reply me Stop those stupid comments.PLEASE stop asking about your eyes!!! Read the article, if you dont get what it says then just give up your dream. You cant be an idiot if you want to fly a airplane.
To become an pilotCaptain, I am in class 11 in India and want to become a commercial pilot so how I will become please give me the idea about that what to do first and from where to start.
Regarding eyesightI have the prescription of -5.50 & -5.25, can I still become a pilot?
…hello sir
I want to join Afghan air force but there is one problem my left eye is weaker than other it 2+ but right eye normal and also i can see like a normal person there is no problem can i be seleted for afghan air force |