LASIK eye surgery and 3rd class medical

Is LASIK approved procedure for third class medical?
Sooner or later, I might have LASIK (wavefront) done to my left eye for
correcting vision problems. But if it causes problem with maintaining a
third class medical, I will just stick with my glasses.

Any information is greatly appreciated!
Nick

I had LASIK on both eyes for nearsightedness. I have never had any problems
with getting a 3rd class medical because of it. There is a little more
paperwork your AME will want, such as records from the opthamologist. I
think there was also a form for the opthamologist to fill out, but it's been
about 5 years. This is only a one-time thing. Once I got my first medical
after the LASIK, repeat medicals just involved eye testing using the charts.

Les

"Nick Funk" wrote in message
...
Is LASIK approved procedure for third class medical?
Sooner or later, I might have LASIK (wavefront) done to my left eye for
correcting vision problems. But if it causes problem with maintaining a
third class medical, I will just stick with my glasses.

Any information is greatly appreciated!
Nick

Check the AOPA website for details.

You will need a letter from the surgeon stating that you are free of
permanent side effects such as halos, starring, etc. (there is some
boilerplate language on the AOPA website). Here is the kicker:
immediately post op you will probably HAVE some side effects and they
resolve as you heal. What makes them permanent is IF they go away.

Does that sound like a gamble? Well, the key to it is being screened
properly so that you are an ideal candidate: cornea is thick enough,
your pupils do not dilate beyond the size of the "zone of correction"
that the machine is FDA approved for, etc.. You want a surgeon who will
tell you if you are a good candidate or not, NOT someone who will take
your money.

When i had mine over 4 years ago, I self grounded for a week or two, and
once i was clear of all issues, the surgeon signed off on the text that
I provided for him to place on his letterhead. I then mailed off the
stuff to OKC, and I provided a copy for review to my AME at my next
physical over a year later (which was a 2nd class).

No problems and smooth sailing since. To avoid surprises, have a copy of
the text prepared and have the surgeon read it BEFORE you have the
procedure, so he knows exactly what you are looking for.

Dave

Nick Funk wrote:
Is LASIK approved procedure for third class medical?
Sooner or later, I might have LASIK (wavefront) done to my left eye for
correcting vision problems. But if it causes problem with maintaining a
third class medical, I will just stick with my glasses.

Any information is greatly appreciated!
Nick

I've looked into it a couple times. From what I remember your
ophthalmologist will have to submit a statement to Oklahoma City stating
that your vision has stabilized WHEN that occurs. I've been told that can
be anywhere from a couple weeks to several months. The risk of not being
able to fly for a few months has turned me off on the idea.

Can anybody else add anything? I'm still interested.

Jim

I had my surgery in 2001. I went for my 1st 3rd class in 2002, about 18
months later.

FAA sent me a 2 page form for my opth (I can't spell it...) to fill out.
Unfortunately at the time, I didn't know better, and trusted the doctor
to send it in. Now that I'm nearing my check ride, I find out about
this, so they sent me another copy of the form, I go to a different
doctor and I send in the forms myself. FAA said no problem.

I think there is also the possibility you might have to wait 6 months
after the surgery??? I seem to recall something about that.

It doesn't stop you from flying though. You can fly, just not as PIC.

John

Transport Canada requires a three month period, after the cessation of
medicated drops (required for about a week after the surgery), and then
a re-test, before allowing PIC duties. I don't believe the same exists
in the US (several postings here already detailing requirements).

I had both eyes done in January. Love the freedom, but the three
months was a drag. Was training at the time, so managed to do lot's of
my dual time in the intervening months (which is why I did the surgery
then and didn't wait for post licensing). Solo was a long time coming
because of it though.


John T wrote:
I had my surgery in 2001. I went for my 1st 3rd class in 2002, about 18
months later.

FAA sent me a 2 page form for my opth (I can't spell it...) to fill out.
Unfortunately at the time, I didn't know better, and trusted the doctor
to send it in. Now that I'm nearing my check ride, I find out about
this, so they sent me another copy of the form, I go to a different
doctor and I send in the forms myself. FAA said no problem.

I think there is also the possibility you might have to wait 6 months
after the surgery??? I seem to recall something about that.

It doesn't stop you from flying though. You can fly, just not as PIC.

John

"Jim Burns" wrote

Can anybody else add anything? I'm still interested.

I really like my 47 year old, bifocal wearing vision, compared to the small
chance that an eye surgery could take all of that away.

I would want the chance of having a complication down to 1 in 475 trillion,
before I would go for it.

Just my opinions, though.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Jim Burns" wrote

Can anybody else add anything? I'm still interested.

I really like my 47 year old, bifocal wearing vision, compared to the
small
chance that an eye surgery could take all of that away.

I would want the chance of having a complication down to 1 in 475
trillion,
before I would go for it.

Just my opinions, though.
--
Jim in NC


I had really been thinking of getting Lasik done. Then I saw the doctors
that invented the process on TV. (They were getting some award) They all had
glasses.

I had really been thinking of getting Lasik done. Then I saw the doctors
that invented the process on TV. (They were getting some award) They all had
glasses.

There is another change that occurs in they eye as you reach middle and
older age: The lens of the eye becomes stiffer and less flexible. This
affects the eye's ability to "accomodate" or focus on items at different
distances.

Even though I had my Lasik before the age of 30, I know that I will
likely need "reading" glasses again before I reach 50. That still makes
it worth it, having clear vision on awakening, instead of having to put
in -5.0 contacts or find my glasses before I can go do things.

It would have even been better when I was a paramedic and volunteer
firefighter, as when I was a medic, I had to sleep in my "extended wear"
lenses overnight on the nights I worked.. and I had to PUT IN my lenses
before I could run a fire call.

Overall, it was worth it. But as someone else said.. there IS a risk
that you may have permanent side effects, particularly at night. Do your
homework. Get SEVERAL free evaluations from different physicians. Make
sure you are a good candidate.

Dave

Dave S wrote:

There is another change that occurs in they eye as you reach middle and
older age: The lens of the eye becomes stiffer and less flexible. This
affects the eye's ability to "accomodate" or focus on items at different
distances.

My opthamalogist told me that there's a new procedure coming along that will
also take care of this. He says it will cost about the same as LASIK. Come to
think out it, his office should start offering it about now. I need to check
into it a bit more.

George Patterson
Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a person to
use the Internet and he won't bother you for weeks.