Binocular Multifocal & Accommodating Devices
FAA Decision Considerations - Disease Protocols
Mar 2014
Guidance is compiled and interpreted by professional pilots and physicians at FlightPhysical.com from the 2014 AME Guide page 196, FAA and FDA web data (www.FAA.gov & www.FDA.gov), instructions specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual, Federal Air Surgeon Bulletins from 1999-2015, and 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 67 (the FARs).
This Protocol establishes the authority for the Examiner to issue an airman medical certificate to binocular applicants using multifocal or accommodating ophthalmic devices.
Devices acceptable for aviation-related duties must be FDA approved and include:
- Intraocular Lenses (multifocal or accommodating intraocular lens implants)
- Bifocal/Multifocal contact lenses
Examiners may issue as outlined below:
- Adaptation period before certification: - Surgical lens implantation – minimum 3 months post-operative - Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) – minimum one month of use
- Must provide a report to include the FAA Form 8500-7, Report of Eye Evaluation, from the operating surgeon or the treating eye specialist. This report must attest to stable visual acuity and refractive error, absence of significant side effects/complications, need of medications, and freedom from any glare, flares or other visual phenomena that could affect visual performance and impact aviation safety
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The following visual standards, as required for each class, must be met for each eye:
Visual Standards for Pilots with Intraocular Lenses or Bifocal/Multifocal Contact Lenses Distant First- and Second-Class: 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction
Third-Class: 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction
Near All Classes
20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction, as measured at 16 inches
Intermediate First- and Second-Class: 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction at age 50 and over, as measured at 32 inches
Third-Class : No requirement
Note: The above 2014 Protocol does not change the (then) current certification policy on the use of monofocal non-accommodating intraocular lenses.
Related Pages:
Medical History Related to the Eye
Anatomy (Eye Structure)
Physiology (Visual Function)
- 50. Distant Vision
- 51.a. Near Vision
- 51.b. Intermediate Vision
- 52. Color Vision
- 53. Field of Vision
- 54. Heterophoria
Medical Flight Tests for those with Waiverable Vision Defects
- Medical Flight Tests Overview
- Medical Flight Tests General Instructions
- Decision Flow Chart for Pilots Who Fail Color Vision Test (Graphic)
- Medical Flight Tests Procedures
- Color Vision Flight Test
- Medical Flight Tests: Signal Light Test
- Medical Flight Tests: Monocular Vision (for pilots with vision in a single eye )
- Operational Color Vision Test (OCVT)
This page discussed Binocular Multifocal & Accommodating Devices
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