Glasses for Pilots

[Ceòl Beag]

A few questions for those that wear glasses while flying.

- Do you recommend the Anti-Reflective coatings on the lenses?

- Are there any particular frame features you look for? (semi-rimless, rimless, lens size?)

- For the sun. Do you have a separate pair of prescription sunglasses, or do you use Clip-ons for your regular glasses?

Thank you

[jamesel]

I get the anti-reflective coating.
Thin Rims, biggest lenses I can find - lotsa correction, ain't just reading glasses , so I like having as much peripheral vision as I can get.
Clip-ons - cheaper when I lose 'em

[North Shore]

I'm a big fan of really small diameter arms (getting difficult to find with 'fashion' trending towards wide, flat arms) so that they fit under your ear seals, and don't let in too much noise..

Have a separate pair of prescription sunnies...

[cdnpilot77]

I'm a big fan of really small diameter arms (getting difficult to find with 'fashion' trending towards wide, flat arms) so that they fit under your ear seals, and don't let in too much noise..

Have a separate pair of prescription sunnies...

Exact same. If there is any chance of flying with a glass cockpit do not get polarized sunglasses. Sometimes it's not a problem, sometimes you can't see the screens if you are polarized.

[dahspeers]

I've always preferred contacts, just because I have zero "semi-blind spots," but when I do wear my glasses, thin arms and light frames for comfort.

[captcrunch2013]

For transport Canada, I just need "reading glasses" but
for my FAA, I just squeeze by in with distance vision close on that 20/20

Went to the eye doc at Fort Drum NY known for doing a lot of pilot prescriptions
and found out I only had one eye that needed a small amount of distance correction.

Ordered the progressive glasses, aviation style and all, but drove me nuts and
in distance, it was an extraordinarily small field of vision. I'm better off looking for
traffic with reading glasses on my nose...

What I believe was the problem was an error in measuring the distance between the pupils
and I discovered that some places if you ask them to test you, will give you incorrect information.
If you buy your glasses there well you get to get another pair of glasses.
If you brought them on line, you are generally out of luck.

I got mine on ebay and sure enough, one email had a 100% refund. At first they tried to get me to
accept that I could get some other lens locally so therefore cut the refund.. No way.

I'm thinking of going bifocals rather than progressive. but set at the mid range so
that the instruments are in the easy focus range ... As I do for a computer, but
for actual real reading of documents, that takes an extra .5 of reading power for
no strain viewing.


Back to some aerobatics, and those old reading glasses seem to stay on at -5 G...
Guess I'll have to buy a strap for anything more.

I'd appreciate any tips from anyone who has got ideas on bifocal , v reading v progressive
for flying.

[oldtimer]

When I got my first pair of glasses, I got bifocals and I had a devil of a time getting used to them. The line was too low on the lenses and I ended up with neck strain holding my head up. Then I got another pair and had the bifocal line raised a bit higher so the line came right on the glareshield in a normal seat setting and that solved the problem. I use clip on sunglasses because I find in the King Air or Metro the sunglasses are too dark for anything small on the instrument panel below the glareshield. Flip up clip ons seem to solve the problem. Now if I could only figure out how to stop breaking my sunglasses, I would be a happy camper.

[Jack Klumpus]

Over the years I've noticed that anti-reflective has worked. As for the shape, I prefer the lighter frames. Either way, I always tilt the glasses, in order to place the arms over the headset. There is no way I can fly with the headsets over the glasses, especially with the big DC. Even with the smaller seinnheiser, I still tilted them. Not sure if that effects the vision in the long run.

[Tail-Chaser]

I find contacts work well for me.

[Ceòl Beag]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I tried a pair of glasses with clip-ons yesterday and found that a lot of light leaks in around the sides.
So I may consider getting prescription sunglasses instead.

[Brown Bear]

When you buy glasses, take your headset with you. Comfort is number ONE. Sunglasses. Non polarized work best. YMMV

[gary wolf]

If your license specifies glasses, either to be available or required, TC accepts only prescription glasses. Further, if your license does say that they are required, TC also wants you to have a spare set of the same prescription glasses. Non prescription reading glasses do not qualify. No one will ramp check your prescription - the insurers will handle this while attempting to deny a claim after an accident.

When you get your eyes tested you can ask for the prescription and buy some spares from the online suppliers. They will need the distance between your pupils too, something the optometrists are reluctant to give out, although they must take this measurement to make your glasses. Make certain when you are being tested that they are agreeing to give you this information as part of the deal.

My last optometrist agreed to divulge this information but then did not put it on the prescription. She later offered it only if I paid a supplementary $65 fee. I will not be returning to that doctor.

Gary Wolf

[Liquid Charlie]

Only advise I have is after going through all this after my doctor told me my arms were getting too short about 15 years ago -- don`t be like a normal pilot and be cheap -- spend the fucking money -- get the best of the best and be prepared to spend between $800 and $1000 -- for that you will get a top line progressive with all the coatings and a brand name like Nikon and frames that weigh 8 grams with arms that will work with a headset -- oh yes -- stay away from the main stream suppliers such a LensCrafters etc -- they all use mass produced and low quality lenses - they sell cheap but it`s crap -- as little as 3 years ago they didn't even sell progressives --

[A Regulator]

Between bifocal and progressive only you can decide but it does take some extra time to adjust if you go from bifocal to progressive. I went from straight regular glasses to progressive and didn't have an issue. Regarding sunglasses don't go the clip on route as you found out and get a pair that works for you keeping in mind the type of aircraft you fly ie if you have quick donning O2 or not, type of smoke googles etc. also get one of those cords that go on the ends as they come in handy at times. Don't forget trying them with your headset as previously mentioned.

I used to have the flexible wire kind of glasses that you can bend in half as they can take a beating compared to some, I would stay away from plastic arms especially for the cold as I took mine off after being outside in -30 and as I took them off and set them down the arm broke. I still had warranty but they no longer made them and no parts. They did replace them with another but had to cut the lens again to fit.

Both my glasses have the best anti scratch lens protection that they can get because one time I got the cheaper one and had issues with lens of course it was replaced no charge. As mentioned don't get polarized sunglasses if you have glass instruments. Also if your license indicates glasses required you need to carry extra set so look for two for one.
But usually this does not include sunglasses.

In short take good care of your eyes and don't just go what the CAME says at you 6 or 12 month medical. They are good for what they do but got to a specialist at least once and then as they say as it all depends on your medical situation.

[A Regulator]

Between bifocal and progressive only you can decide but it does take some extra time to adjust if you go from bifocal to progressive. I went from straight regular glasses to progressive and didn't have an issue. Regarding sunglasses don't go the clip on route as you found out and get a pair that works for you keeping in mind the type of aircraft you fly ie if you have quick donning O2 or not, type of smoke googles etc. also get one of those cords that go on the ends as they come in handy at times. Don't forget trying them with your headset as previously mentioned.

I used to have the flexible wire kind of glasses that you can bend in half as they can take a beating compared to some, I would stay away from plastic arms especially for the cold as I took mine off after being outside in -30 and as I took them off and set them down the arm broke. I still had warranty but they no longer made them and no parts. They did replace them with another but had to cut the lens again to fit.

Both my glasses have the best anti scratch lens protection that they can get because one time I got the cheaper one and had issues with lens of course it was replaced no charge. As mentioned don't get polarized sunglasses if you have glass instruments. Also if your license indicates glasses required you need to carry extra set so look for two for one.
But usually this does not include sunglasses.

In short take good care of your eyes and don't just go what the CAME says at you 6 or 12 month medical. They are good for what they do but got to a specialist at least once and then as they say as it all depends on your medical situation.

[FICU]

I use normal glasses with thin frames/arms and Oakley wrap around prescription sunglasses. Definitely spend money on the sunglasses because they are what you will be wearing most of the time. I Used to wear contacts years ago but they dry out and are lousy at night(for me).

[AirFrame]

If your license specifies glasses, either to be available or required, TC accepts only prescription glasses. Further, if your license does say that they are required, TC also wants you to have a spare set of the same prescription glasses.

I've wondered about this, but have never found a reg to support it. Do you have a reference?

My last optometrist agreed to divulge this information but then did not put it on the prescription. She later offered it only if I paid a supplementary $65 fee. I will not be returning to that doctor.

When I switched optometrists last, at the new one the receptionist wanted me to pay while I was waiting for my apopointment. I said "I pay on the way out, not the way in." When the optometrist tried to skip the Intra-Ocular Distance on my prescription, I told him he doesn't get paid if I don't get it. We have a good understanding now.

I find contacts work well for me.

A word of warning... "Corrective Lenses Must Be Worn" does not include contact lenses. If you want to wear contacts, you must be tested with contacts, and then your license will say "Corrective Lenses or Contacts must be worn". Not saying *you* haven't done this, but I know many pilots who have flown for many years unaware of this fact and suspect it's not clearly stated at every medical.

[Edit] I think I had this wrong... I think "Glasses must be worn" is the default notation you get if you test with just glasses. It seems that if you test with both contacts and glasses you get the note "Corrective lenses must be worn" which is more generic. Still, many pilots are unaware that if they only tested with glasses, that they can't officially fly with contacts too.

[cdnpilot77]

Yes mine clearly states "Glasses must be worn"

[omgwereallgoingtodie]

I find contacts work well for me.

A word of warning... "Corrective Lenses Must Be Worn" does not include contact lenses. If you want to wear contacts, you must be tested with contacts, and then your license will say "Corrective Lenses or Contacts must be worn". Not saying *you* haven't done this, but I know many pilots who have flown for many years unaware of this fact and suspect it's not clearly stated at every medical.[/quote]

Hmm,
I wear contact lenses
did my medical wearing them, actually did the eye test thingy three times
once with contacts, once with glasses, once with nothing

license states "corrective lenses" no mention of contacts

[AirFrame]

I wear contact lenses did my medical wearing them, actually did the eye test thingy three times once with contacts, once with glasses, once with nothing

license states "corrective lenses" no mention of contacts

Hmm... I just looked at mine and it says "Glasses must be worn." I think I had it backwards, and if you test with both glasses and contacts you get "Corrective lenses must be worn" instead. That's probably okay. But if it says "Glasses must be worn," then you're glasses only, no contacts, officially.

Personally i've never bothered to test with contacts. I don't wear them during the week and that's when I've always done my medicals. But I am careful to make sure the prescriptions match... With disposable contacts it's pretty cheap and easy to switch when you get new glasses.

Oh, and regarding getting what you pay for, I haven't paid more than $100 for single-vision glasses in the last 15 years. zennioptical.com sold me transitions lenses with nice frames for $50. Used Lenscrafters.ca the last time I ordered, it was closer to $100 but still with transitions medium-index lenses, metal frames, spring temples. Work great under both my Lightspeed Zulu and David Clarks.

The days of paying $800 for glasses are over, unless you like wasting money.

[Tail-Chaser]

A word of warning... "Corrective Lenses Must Be Worn" does not include contact lenses. If you want to wear contacts, you must be tested with contacts, and then your license will say "Corrective Lenses or Contacts must be worn". Not saying *you* haven't done this, but I know many pilots who have flown for many years unaware of this fact and suspect it's not clearly stated at every medical.

Thanks for the warning. Had that little caveat amended on my last medical.

[omgwereallgoingtodie]

[quote="AirFrame. But I am careful to make sure the prescriptions match... .[/quote]

By "prescriptions match" you mean correct to the same degree. the numbers may not match. My glasses prescription is different to my contact lenses.

my optometrist did explain it to me , something to do with distances from eyes and stuff

[AirFrame]

Sounds fishy to me... The numbers you get for your prescription apply equally to glasses and contacts... They specify the correction you need. The glasses and contacts are made to achieve that correction when they're on your face. They should not be different numbers.

[omgwereallgoingtodie]

Sounds fishy to me... The numbers you get for your prescription apply equally to glasses and contacts... They specify the correction you need. The glasses and contacts are made to achieve that correction when they're on your face. They should not be different numbers.

not an expert but the way that contacts sit on your eyes ( especially soft ones) can change the degree that they correct for astigmatism and stuff. I believe this is why Contcats can correct Kerataconus (sp?) but glasses cannot.

if you think about it as well, contact lenses sit on your eyes whereas glasses sit slightly forward of them , so the lenses would have to be subtly different powers to provide the exact same correction.

the few centimetres of difference would affect the foccusing point etc.


I'm happy that my optometrist is not trying to rip me off anyways. Just came back from eye exam, was very happy to give me accurate PD measurement so I can order my glasses online.

[AirFrame]

What you're saying is correct, the two lenses (contact and glasses) will be different to correct for different position relative to your eyeball. But that difference is corrected for by the person making the lenses. The prescription may contain info that would be used differently by either maker, but the prescription is common.