ATCO.MED.B.070  Visual system

(a)       Examination:

(1)       A comprehensive eye examination shall form part of the initial examination and be undertaken periodically depending on the refraction and the functional performance of the eye.

(2)       A routine eye examination shall form part of all revalidation and renewal examinations.

(3)       Applicants shall undergo tonometry at the first revalidation examination after the age of 40, on clinical indication and if indicated considering the family history.

(4)       Applicants shall supply the AeMC or AME with an ophthalmic examination report in cases where:

(i)        the functional performance shows significant changes;

(ii)       the distant visual standards can only be reached with corrective lenses.

(5)       Applicants with a high refractive error shall be referred to the licensing authority.

(b)       Distant visual acuity, with or without optimal correction, shall be 6/9 (0,7) or better in each eye separately, and visual acuity with both eyes shall be 6/6 (1,0) or better.

(c)       Initial applicants having monocular or functional monocular vision, including eye muscle balance problems, shall be assessed as unfit. At revalidation or renewal examinations the applicant may be assessed as fit provided that an ophthalmological examination is satisfactory. The applicant shall be referred to the licensing authority.

(d)       Initial applicants with acquired substandard vision in one eye shall be assessed as unfit. At revalidation or renewal examinations the applicant shall be referred to the licensing authority and may be assessed as fit provided that an ophthalmological examination is satisfactory.

(e)       Applicants shall be able to read an N5 chart or equivalent at 30 – 50 cm and an N14 chart or equivalent at 60 – 100 cm distance, if necessary with the aid of correction.

(f)        Applicants shall have normal fields of vision and normal binocular function.

(g)       Applicants who have undergone eye surgery shall be assessed as unfit until full recovery of the visual function. A fit assessment may be considered by the licensing authority subject to satisfactory ophthalmic evaluation.

(h)       Applicants with a clinical diagnosis of keratoconus shall be referred to the licensing authority and may be assessed as fit subject to a satisfactory examination by an ophthalmologist.

(i)        Applicants with diplopia shall be assessed as unfit.

(j)        Spectacles and contact lenses

(1)       If satisfactory visual function for the rated duties is achieved only with the use of correction, the spectacles or contact lenses must provide optimal visual function, be well tolerated, and suitable for air traffic control purposes.

(2)       No more than one pair of spectacles, when worn during the exercise of licensed privileges, shall be used to meet the visual requirements at all distances.

(3)       A spare set of similarly correcting spectacles shall be readily available when exercising the privileges of the licence(s).

(4)       Contact lenses, when are worn during the exercise of licensed privileges, shall be mono-focal, non-tinted and not orthokeratological. Monovision contact lenses shall not be used.

(5)       Applicants with a large refractive error shall use contact lenses or high index spectacle lenses.