When we were children, our parents and teachers told us we could be anything when we grew up. The possibilities seemed limitless, and we were constantly probed to give an impressive response. Would we be a doctor, a lawyer, a pilot, or a movie star? All of these choices were depicted as perfectly attainable as long as you put in the work, but the real world is a little different. Some jobs require applicants to have a certain level of eyesight. Let’s look at the eyesight requirements for pilots.
If you do not meet the requirements, you still have hope. We offer the best Lasik Irvine has around to get you to your dream job.
What Are the Eyesight Requirements for Pilots?
You can spend the entirety of your formative years studying and honing your skills, only to find that you physically don’t make the cut. For prospective pilots, this is all too common. Excellent eyesight remains a requirement for professional training. So what are the eyesight requirements for pilots. And what can you do to make up for any vision deficits?
The Requirements for Distance
Pilots have to be able to see well. Too much of their job revolves around being able to clearly view charts, data, and various readings on the instrumental panel. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be born with perfect vision. Both the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) and the United States military allow pilots to wear glasses to correct imperfect vision. That being said, every pilot must have at least 20/20 vision in each eye with or without corrective lenses in place.
If your vision is so poor that glasses are unable to correct your vision to that level, then most agencies will not allow you to proceed with training. The one exception is that pilots over the age of 50. They can fly as long as they have at least 20/40 vision in each eye with or without corrective lenses.
The Requirements for Clarity
First, you need testing for your ability to see at a distance. But a prospective pilot will also need to pass tests for color vision and astigmatism. Pilots generally should have near-perfect color vision. This ensures they can clearly interpret the data and charts central to their job.
Regarding astigmatism, it generally depends on the severity of the condition. Astigmatism broadly refers to an irregular shaping of the cornea, and it can cause blurred vision. In many cases, you can correct the effects with the appropriate eyewear. But there remain limitations. If the prospective pilot’s corrective lenses are not effectively preventing blurred vision, then they are unlikely to be selected to move forward.
Considering Your Options
If you don’t pass your first visual examination, it isn’t the end of the road. Both poor eyesight and severe astigmatism can actually achieve improvement. Therefore, your first step to getting back on track is making an appointment with your local ophthalmologist at Advanced Eye Medical. At Advanced Eye Medical, you will meet with a highly trained medical professional to discuss your personal needs. From there, your ophthalmologist will be able to make an educated recommendation to help you achieve your goals.
Oftentimes, they will suggest blade-free Orange County Lasik. The procedure, which is commonly used to correct less than perfect vision actually uses laser technology to open up the cornea and re-shape the eye. As a result, Lasik correct a wide range of physical defects in the eye itself. For a potential pilot, it can reduce the effects of poor vision and astigmatism.
Check with Your Agency
Please keep in mind that some eye surgeries can disqualify a potential pilot from starting or resuming work. Once you have your ophthalmologist’s recommendation, check in with your agency. this will ensure that you will be allowed to resume work or training despite the surgery as long as you are able to meet the visual requirements.