"Emily" wrote in message
...
Matt Barrow wrote:

I've seen two doctors in an attempt to get this taken care of, but
they both recommended LASIK (I'm not even a candidate).

Two doctors recommend it even though you're not a candidate? Could you
elaborate on that?

I phrased it poorly. The two doctors suggested I get a consultation, I
did so, and found out my corneas are too thin for LASIK (I can have PRK).
The problem with PRK is that my correction is so strong, it's likely I
won't get 20/20 out of it - in my case, 20/40 would be a success and has
an 80% chance - and an increased risk of halos and night and all that
great stuff.

prevailing opinion seems to be that since I'm not flying for a living
(part time CFI and fly for CAP) that I don't need 20/20 vision and can
take the risks associated with the surgery. I actually had one guy
explain to me that "needing 20/20 vision to be a pilot is a myth -
don't let it stop you if you really want to learn to fly!"

Has anyone experiences this kind of treatment?

Treatment, as in LASIK?

No, being treated like an idiot by doctors. I know I'm not the only pilot
out there with poor uncorrected eyesight, so I can't figure out what I'm
doing wrong in trying to get it fixed.

Have you considered going to a AME for initial consulation rather than bozos
that think pilots are akin to what they saw in "Airplane"? :~)


I have a third opinion
scheduled for next month - how do I make the doctor understand how
important this is?

Just tell him IT IS YOUR LIVLIHOOD.

Problem is, it's not. They seem to think because I'm flying "for fun"
that I'm not one of those pilots that needs 20/20 vision. It almost makes
me wish people still thought all pilots need 20/20 to fly.

It may not be your career, but it is a big part of your life.


Maybe I just lie next time.

Never a good idea. Take your time, avoid the medical dingdongs, and do it
right.

As I said, maybe an AME has some pratitioners that can do more than general
practitioners (even various eye doctors that are used to treating people
that want to watch TV without glasses).

Best!