cat 1 medical:vision

Arwyn · Post by **Arwyn** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:32 am

There have been a number of posts that elude to the fact that the 3.5 diopter uncorrected vision requirement to obtain a Cat 1medical has been waved. Does anyone know the current status on this?

I know for the cat 3 they have a disclaimer that states if you are outside the range (5.0 in this case) you can be found fit by proper medical assessment.

I'm in the process of getting my Cat 1. my CAME told me that the issue with the uncorrected vision was retinal detachment (the risk of retinal detachment increases with degree of myopia. apparently the risk at 3.5 is acceptable) and that I should receive papers from TC requesting an opthamologist (not optometrists) assessment.

Does anyone know if this is just a formality and that i will get the Cat 1 if i get a clear report from the opthamologist or is there a level of myopic correction that the risk of retinal detachment is just too great.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:52 am

My vision is pretty bad without glasses, somewhere in the range of -3.75 or so (or is it +, I can never remember). Nearsighted; whatever that is.

One of my coworkers is even worse. Something like -5.5 or -6, and he holds a Category 1 with no issues. (At that rating, I believe he qualifies as legally blind), but its correctable to 20/30 so TC says its ok.

Just make double sure you have a spare set of good lenses with you at all times (not just your previous prescription, or 2nd previous)....its not worth the risk. Particularily if you wear contact lenses.

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 8:40 am

I'm -3.5 in one way and -3.12 in the other. I got my Cat 1 no problem, but then again, those eye tests are so ridiculous. The day before I did my cat 1 I went to an optometrist, and I was 20/30 to 20/40 with my glasses. The next day I went for my cat 1 and according to his eye test, I was 20/16.

Don't sweat it.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:19 am

When my close up vision first started to go bad I noticed it because pubic hair started to look blurred, I did not get to an optomeitrist (sp?) for quite some time because I used the tactile method as an aid to identification.

But eventually I couldn't read approach plates so I got glasses and still pass my Class 1 medical.

Hope that helps.

Ca

FlyerGirl · Post by **FlyerGirl** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:41 am

Just to let you know...back in 1998 when I went for my Cat 1 medical, they were sticklers on the +/-3.5 dioptives being the max. Due to this, I had laser eye surgery just so that I can obtain my cat 1 medical. My eyesight use to be in the range of -4.75. I have heard lately that this is not the case anymore. A friend of mine is -5.50ish and he was told by transport that since he has his medical already that he is OK. He was planning on having laser eye surgery but since speaking with Transport he has changed his mind. My advice is to call Transport and ask to speak with one of the doctors to clarify.

Springbok 3 · Post by **Springbok 3** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 11:49 am

Cat Driver wrote:When my close up vision first started to go bad I noticed it because pubic hair started to look blurred, I did not get to an optomeitrist (sp?) for quite some time because I used the tactile method as an aid to identification.

But eventually I couldn't read approach plates so I got glasses and still pass my Class 1 medical.

Hope that helps.

Ca

It is even worse when your nutsack hairs go gray and you can`t see them without your specs

All the more reason to go by "feel".

Arwyn · Post by **Arwyn** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:09 pm

Clodhopper,

did your co-worker obtain their cat 1 with correction of -5.75-6.00 or were they with in the -3.5 to receive the cat 1 and then their vision changed.
i know of the provision that once you get the cat 1 you can under go vision changes. But can you obtain one when you start out below the minimums ?

thanks,

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 4:50 pm

Arwyn,

I'm not entirely sure. As far as I know, he has had vision that bad for most of his life. I'll double check and let you know. I know my vision has been poor since before I acquired my Cat 1, but I dont know if it was better than -3.5, I think it was -3.0 when I first went.

Mig29 · Post by **Mig29** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 6:59 pm

I had a talk with a TC Medical guy on this issue last year, since I also read that -3.5 was a max. for CAT 1. Since I went over on one eye, I was worrying I might lose my CAT 1. He said that is a thing of past, and as long you can hold 20/20 with correction, you are ok....of course, up to some extreme limit...never said which one!

So, I too postponed my laser session...fewwww

GinoLatino · Post by **GinoLatino** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:38 am

Wading through the CARs on TC's website I read that:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regserv/Affairs/cars/Part4/Standards/t42402.htm wrote:Visual Requirement

1.35 The applicant shall be required to have a distant visual acuity of not less than 6/9 (20/30) in each eye separately, with or without the use of correcting lenses. Where this standard of visual acuity can be obtained only with correcting lenses the applicant shall be assessed fit provided that

(a) such correcting lenses are worn when exercising the privileges of the licence or rating applied for or held;

(b) the applicant possesses a visual acuity without correction in each eye separately, not less than 6/60 (20/200) and the refractive error falls within the range of ± 3.0 diopters (equivalent spherical error);
(amended 2003/06/01)

It would therefore seem that anyone having a refractive error outside ± 3.0 diopters should need corrective eye surgery (that is, as far as I can tell, allowed in Canada but not in Italy where I'm doing my PPL).

Any thoughts or comments from who is in the business?

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:11 am

Arwyn, I did my initial Cat 1 medical back in 1991. At that time my vision was roughly the same as today: -3.50L and -4.75R. I applied for a Cat 1, and there was a provision for "flexibility" to be applied following a letter from my opthalmologist stating that my vision was stable and there were no risks. Letter written, flexibility granted, medical issued. No problems since then. I can't see that the requirements would have been tightened since then. At the time, it was stated to me that TC Medical was more interested in keeping and helping to get medicals than disqualifying people.

Someone mentioned laser surgery. Personally, I'd stay away unless you absolutely have to. Remember, this surgery has only been around for ~ 15 years, and so there isn't much research on long-term effects - your vision might be fine, now, in your 20's, but how about 25 years down the road, when you are pushing 50?

In any case, good luck!

AUGER9 · Post by **AUGER9** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:02 am

I got mine with -5.5 fine. Phoned TC one day long after that and they said not to worry, they dont follow that. meh

GinoLatino · Post by **GinoLatino** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:59 pm

What year was that in AUGER9?

quierido · Post by **quierido** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:06 pm

Here is the answer from Transport Canada to my question:

Dear sir,

Thank you for your recent email (see below) received at the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Communications Centre.

The visual requirements have changed and are not what is on the website.

Based on the information you have provided, your vision meets the Standard for both commercial and private medical certification. If you have any further questions, you should contact the Regional Aviation Medical Officer in your region: http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/regions.htm
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. I trust this information will be of assistance to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us again should you require further information or assistance.

Kind regards,

Hello,

I have a question regarding eyesight requirements for Class 1 Medical. Is the requirement 1.35 b enforced nowadays? If I have a distant visual acuity better than 6/6 with the use of correcting lenses (refractive error of -2.75) but do not meet the 20/200 visual acuity without correction can I still get my Class 1 Medical?

E-Flyer · Post by **E-Flyer** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:16 pm

C-HRIS wrote:I'm -3.5 in one way and -3.12 in the other. I got my Cat 1 no problem, but then again, those eye tests are so ridiculous. The day before I did my cat 1 I went to an optometrist, and I was 20/30 to 20/40 with my glasses. The next day I went for my cat 1 and according to his eye test, I was 20/16.

Don't sweat it.

I'm trying to think how that's even numerically possible to get wrong? i mean on the doctors side LOL

CYQT · Post by **CYQT** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:28 pm

I went for my cat 1 about 11 months ago or so. I'm -4.75 in the right and -6.5 in the left. The doc just made me read the chart, told me my eyesight was 20/15 and that was it for the vision test. nothing to get worried about at all.

cat 1 medical:vision

cat 1 medical:vision

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