Aa
Retina Hole and Flying
Respected Doctor,
I was myopic with -5.00 in the right eye and -4.50 in the left eye. I was diagnosed with retinal hole in supero temporal retinal periphery of my left eye in the year 2003 and my doctor advised me to undergo barrage laser/Argon laser which I did and this treatment left a laser scar of less than 1 disc diameter and have no lattice degeneration treated or otherwise in either eye. Later in 2006 I under went Lasik eye surgery which went very well and resulted in 6/6 or better in both eyes with no post operative complications. I have no problem with my visual acuity. As I want to be a pilot I underwent medicals at an aviation authority of India approved medical center but was declared unfit due to the history of retinal hole and barrage laser. But in their rules and regulations( which can be found below) there is no mention of retinal hole. All it says is its disqualifying to have lattice degeneration which interferes with visual acuity. And when i went to the concerned authority for clarification i was told that lattice degeneration and retinal hole is one and the same.
I would like to know
1) Whether lattice degeneration and retinal hole is one and the same thing?
2) Whether the condition I have is mentioned in the rules and regulations?
3) Does having history of retinal hole bar me from flying activities?
Rules and Regulations.....
The following ophthalmological conditions are disqualifying for initial issue medical examination:
(i) History of recurrent keratitis or corneal ulcers, corneal scars which influence visual function and Keratoconus.
(ii) Lattice degeneration of the retina and any macular degeneration which interferes with visual function.
(iii) Hereditary degeneration's with progressive influence on visual acuity and visual fields (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa).
(iv) Retinal detachment.
(v) Vascular disorders with exudates, bleedings or ischemic retinal damage.
(vi) Optic neuritis, Optic atrophy and Optic nerve head drusen.
(vii) Central Serous Retinopathy.
(viii) Glaucoma.
(ix) Cataract surgery with intra ocular lens implant.
Candidates for initial issue medical examination having corneal / congenital lenticular opacities which are non-progressive and do not interfere with vision may be considered fit for flying duties.
Regards,
EagleEyes9.
I was myopic with -5.00 in the right eye and -4.50 in the left eye. I was diagnosed with retinal hole in supero temporal retinal periphery of my left eye in the year 2003 and my doctor advised me to undergo barrage laser/Argon laser which I did and this treatment left a laser scar of less than 1 disc diameter and have no lattice degeneration treated or otherwise in either eye. Later in 2006 I under went Lasik eye surgery which went very well and resulted in 6/6 or better in both eyes with no post operative complications. I have no problem with my visual acuity. As I want to be a pilot I underwent medicals at an aviation authority of India approved medical center but was declared unfit due to the history of retinal hole and barrage laser. But in their rules and regulations( which can be found below) there is no mention of retinal hole. All it says is its disqualifying to have lattice degeneration which interferes with visual acuity. And when i went to the concerned authority for clarification i was told that lattice degeneration and retinal hole is one and the same.
I would like to know
1) Whether lattice degeneration and retinal hole is one and the same thing?
2) Whether the condition I have is mentioned in the rules and regulations?
3) Does having history of retinal hole bar me from flying activities?
Rules and Regulations.....
The following ophthalmological conditions are disqualifying for initial issue medical examination:
(i) History of recurrent keratitis or corneal ulcers, corneal scars which influence visual function and Keratoconus.
(ii) Lattice degeneration of the retina and any macular degeneration which interferes with visual function.
(iii) Hereditary degeneration's with progressive influence on visual acuity and visual fields (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa).
(iv) Retinal detachment.
(v) Vascular disorders with exudates, bleedings or ischemic retinal damage.
(vi) Optic neuritis, Optic atrophy and Optic nerve head drusen.
(vii) Central Serous Retinopathy.
(viii) Glaucoma.
(ix) Cataract surgery with intra ocular lens implant.
Candidates for initial issue medical examination having corneal / congenital lenticular opacities which are non-progressive and do not interfere with vision may be considered fit for flying duties.
Regards,
EagleEyes9.
Lattice degeneration (which I have in both eyes) is NOT the same as a retina hole. Most retinal holes are not due to lattice but are due to vitreous traction on the retina. Lattice may or may not have a retinal hole.
I'm not a lawyer but I am familiar with working with the USA FAA (Federal Aviation Agency) they are typical goverment wonks and difficult to deal with.You may need to hire a lawyer. This is the key working: "which interferes with visual function" So if you have peripheral lattice or even the area of your retina treated with laser AND IT DOES NOT interfer with your central vision and your peripheral vision then you should be good to go. For many years I did flight physicians for the US Navy and Marine pilot program and if there was lattice that did not affect vision it would not disqualify the applicant. So if this is your heart's desire you probably are going to need to retain a lawyer familiar with this area of the law. You should have a visual field examination done to confirm your peripheral vision is normal. So if the visual field is normal and your central vision is 6/6 post lasik I think you have a good case. One never knows when dealing with government bureaucrats.
I'm not a lawyer but I am familiar with working with the USA FAA (Federal Aviation Agency) they are typical goverment wonks and difficult to deal with.You may need to hire a lawyer. This is the key working: "which interferes with visual function" So if you have peripheral lattice or even the area of your retina treated with laser AND IT DOES NOT interfer with your central vision and your peripheral vision then you should be good to go. For many years I did flight physicians for the US Navy and Marine pilot program and if there was lattice that did not affect vision it would not disqualify the applicant. So if this is your heart's desire you probably are going to need to retain a lawyer familiar with this area of the law. You should have a visual field examination done to confirm your peripheral vision is normal. So if the visual field is normal and your central vision is 6/6 post lasik I think you have a good case. One never knows when dealing with government bureaucrats.
2 Comments
Thankq sir I feel positive .. Wer can I find a FAA lawyer who is familiar with tis laws sir
Google it or look in a phone book in your largest metropolitan community
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Unfortunately, I can not comment since I do not understand the regulations in your county.
Retinal holes and lattice are not the same.
Dr. O.
Retinal holes and lattice are not the same.
Dr. O.
1 Comments
I have same condition sir but I m less myopic of 0.75 both eyes. I had barrage laser for LD lattice degeneration on right eye., retina is stable.. Will Ter be any risk in getting my FAA class1 SIR
The above rules and regulations are for the intial issue of medical and not for the renewals. It means that once I clear the medicals intially i wont have a problem clearing in a later date if i have get new holes or any other retinal condition in the future. Also i have i cleared American class 1 medicals and i even enquired european aviation authority and they said that it wont be a problem for the initial issue of license and for in future. These things mostly matter in the defense and not in general/commercial aviation...
Seems to me that even if you qualify now, your eyes may change and you may be disqualified in the future. Tread carefully...
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