AMC2 MED.B.070 Visual system

(a) Eye examination

(1) At each aero-medical revalidation examination an assessment of the visual fitness of the applicant should be undertaken and the eyes should be examined with regard to possible pathology. Conditions which indicate further ophthalmological examination include but are not limited to a substantial decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity, any decrease in best corrected visual acuity and/or the occurrence of eye disease, eye injury, or eye surgery.

(2) At the initial assessment, the examination should include:

(i) history;

(ii) visual acuities ­ near, intermediate and distant vision (uncorrected and with best optical correction if needed);

(iii) examination of the external eye, anatomy, media and fundoscopy;

(iv) ocular motility;

(v) binocular vision;

(vi) visual fields;

(vii) colour vision;

(viii) further examination on clinical indication.

(3) At the initial assessment the applicant should submit a copy of the recent spectacle prescription if visual correction is required to meet the visual requirements.

(4) In their examination AMEs should give proper consideration to the degenerative effects of ageing on the visual system

(b) Routine eye examination

A routine eye examination should include:

(1) history;

(2) visual acuities - near, intermediate and distant vision (uncorrected and with best optical correction if needed);

(3) examination of the external eye, anatomy, media and fundoscopy;

(4) contrast sensitivity assessment test for applicants above the age of 60; and

(5) further examination on clinical indication.

(c) Visual acuity

Reduced vision in one eye or monocularity: Applicants with reduced vision or loss of vision in one eye may be assessed as fit if:

(1) the binocular visual field or, in the case of monocularity, the monocular visual field is acceptable;

(2) in the case of monocularity, a period of adaptation time has passed from the known point of visual loss, during which the applicant should be assessed as unfit;

(3) the unaffected eye achieves distant visual acuity of 6/6 (1,0), corrected or uncorrected;

(4) the unaffected eye achieves intermediate visual acuity of N14 or equivalent and N5 or equivalent for near (Refer to GM1 MED.B.070);

(5) there is no significant ocular pathology in the unaffected eye; and

(6) a medical flight test is satisfactory.

(d) Binocular function

Reduced stereopsis, abnormal convergence not interfering with near vision and ocular misalignment where the fusional reserves are sufficient to prevent asthenopia and diplopia may be acceptable.

(e) Eye surgery

(1) The assessment after eye surgery should include an ophthalmological examination.

(2) After refractive surgery a fit assessment may be considered provided that there is satisfactory stability of refraction, there are no post-operative complications and no increase in glare sensitivity.

(3) After cataract, retinal or glaucoma surgery a fit assessment may be considered once recovery is complete and the visual requirements are met with or without correction.

(f) Visual correction

Correcting lenses should permit the licence holder to meet the visual requirements at all distances.