Do pilots need perfect vision?

[Danny The Great]

Hi, I am still young for choosing a career, but I think what I really want to do is be an airline pilot. I wear glasses. I am nearsighted and have astigmatism. I heard you need 20/20 vision to be a pilot is this true?

[C]

Hello Danny.

I don't know where you are from, but if you're in the UK and Europe these regulations apply

Just had a google for the FAA (ie, the US) requirements - they seem broadly similar (the quote below is for second and first class):

Distant Vision - 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction.

Intermediate Vision- 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction at age 50 and over, as measured at 32 inches.

Taken from:

http://www.aviationwise.org/faamedical.html

[a1]

Well...there goes my chances of becoming a pilot.

[Danny The Great]

Hello Danny.

I don't know where you are from, but if you're in the UK and Europe these regulations apply

Just had a google for the FAA requirements - they seem broadly similar:

Distant Vision - 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction.

Intermediate Vision- 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction at age 50 and over, as measured at 32 inches.

Taken from:

http://www.aviationwise.org/faamedical.html

I am from the US and I have no idea what that means

[Mobius]

Hang on a second guys.  I can't see a foot in front of my face without my glasses, but I've got a 3rd class medical, and am pretty sure I would have no trouble getting my first class when the time comes.  Notice that the regs state with or without correction, so as long as there's a way you have 20/20 or better vision (with glasses, contacts, LASIK, little pieces of paper with tiny holes in them, etc...), you can fly just about anything (unless it's for the military).

[C]

Hang on a second guys.  I can't see a foot in front of my face without my glasses, but I've got a 3rd class medical, and am pretty sure I would have no trouble getting my first class when the time comes.  Notice that the regs state with or without correction, so as long as there's a way you have 20/20 or better vision (with glasses, contacts, LASIK, little pieces of paper with tiny holes in them, etc...), you can fly just about anything (unless it's for the military).

Indeed. Never go by anything you see unofficially on the web either (ie, my CAA link in my original post I would consider accurate, the second link being non-FAA I would take with a pinch of salt) - ask a professional in that field - preferably an aviation doc or optician.

LASIK opens another can of worms entirely, but certainly answers can be found quite easily on the FAA site. From my experience it tends to be military operators who may have a problem with it (mainly due to the fact the cornea has a flap cut and lifted, the laser does its thing and the flap then lies back in place, but doesn't heal - whcih potentially could have serious implications for ejecting etc)

[beaky]

Only military pilots need uncorrected 20/20 vision... civil pilots can wear specs... even for a 1st Class medical. I'm not sure if contacts are disallowed in flight, but they may be- you sure don't want a problem with a contact lens when you are in flight.

And laser surgery is being refined (although it is still not without possible side effects)- more and more pilots are opting for this procedure.

[AA]

Only military pilots need uncorrected 20/20 vision... civil pilots can wear specs... even for a 1st Class medical. I'm not sure if contacts are disallowed in flight, but they may be- you sure don't want a problem with a contact lens when you are in flight.

And laser surgery is being refined (although it is still not without possible side effects)- more and more pilots are opting for this procedure.

Actually, military pilots can fly with vision corrected to 20/20 as long as their uncorrected vision is 20/40. Also, I know that the Navy has a program where you can get laser surgery as part of a study that they are conducting.

Also, you can wear contacts during flight. The only restriction to that is they have to be single vision contacts (no bi or trifocals).

[C]

Also, I know that the Navy has a program where you can get laser surgery as part of a study that they are conducting.

A similar thing was said at Porton Down in the 50s...


Beware of apparently "free" military experimentation. Or any medical trials for that matter!

[Cobra]

the dr that did my class 2 medical told me that you are allowed to wear glasses (not contacts) but there is a limit to how strong the lenses are...

thankfully my sight is 20/20 at the moment, but it still is something that worries me about the future!!

[Anark]

I hate my vision.
I'm only 15 yet about 40cm away form the screen I can't read anything.

[Danny The Great]

Thanks for all the replies guys My vision isn't terrible. I can see well without them, its just that I can't see perfect without them. Its like a 1.15 prescription or less I am only in 7th grade so I have alot of time, I better not screw up my eyes too much more

[LeFeaoux]

Only military pilots need uncorrected 20/20 vision... civil pilots can wear specs... even for a 1st Class medical. I'm not sure if contacts are disallowed in flight, but they may be- you sure don't want a problem with a contact lens when you are in flight.

And laser surgery is being refined (although it is still not without possible side effects)- more and more pilots are opting for this procedure.

Actually, military pilots can fly with vision corrected to 20/20 as long as their uncorrected vision is 20/40. Also, I know that the Navy has a program where you can get laser surgery as part of a study that they are conducting.

Also, you can wear contacts during flight. The only restriction to that is they have to be single vision contacts (no bi or trifocals).

Yeah, I was going to say something about that also. I personally know and have seen more than a few military pilots who wear glasses. Now, perhaps the "perfect vision" requirement may be in place for "Fighter Pilots", I would buy that. Flying an F-18 or F-22 is tons more demanding than say, piloting a 707, C-5 or any of the numerous other aircraft the military utilizes.

[C]

Also, you can wear contacts during flight. The only restriction to that is they have to be single vision contacts (no bi or trifocals).

Yeah, I was going to say something about that also. I personally know and have seen more than a few military pilots who wear glasses. Now, perhaps the "perfect vision" requirement may be in place for "Fighter Pilots", I would buy that. Flying an F-18 or F-22 is tons more demanding than say, piloting a 707, C-5 or any of the numerous other aircraft the military utilizes. [/quote]

I'd say "perfect" vision is more of an entry requirement - what happens to you vision after joining is (within reason) irrelevant. Everyone's vision will degrade, so it's better to start with the best possible.

[Domj122]

Ive seen many pilots wear glasses, including RAF Pilots, but i think that if you dont have perfect vision you can only fly in the daytime and not evening flights.