Eyes, General Clinical Issues
Item 31: General Clinical Conditions and Procedures
May 2014
Abbreviated Briefing:
Anatomy (Eyes)
- 31. Eyes, general (vision under Items 50 to 54)
- 32. Ophthalmoscopic
- 33. Pupils (Equity and reaction)
- 34. Ocular motility (Associated parallel movement nystagmus)
Physiology (Vision)
- 50. Distant Vision
- 51.a. Near Vision
- 51.b. Intermediate Vision
- 52. Color Vision
- 53. Field of Vision
- 54. Heterophoria
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Guidance is compiled and interpreted by professional pilots and physicians at FlightPhysical.com from the 2014 AME Guide pages 53-65, 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).
For guidance regarding the conduction of visual acuity, field of vision, heterophoria, and color vision tests, please refer to Items 50-54.
The Eye exam has many components and will be directed toward the discovery of diseases or defects that may cause a failure in visual function while flying or discomfort sufficient to interfere with safely performing airman duties.
The AME should personally explore the applicant's history by asking questions concerning any changes in vision, unusual visual experiences (halos, scintillations, etc.), sensitivity to light, injuries, surgery, or current use of medication. Does the pilot report inordinate difficulties with eye fatigue or strain? Is there a history of serious eye disease such as glaucoma or other disease commonly associated with secondary eye changes, such as diabetes?
The AME will consider the following signs during the initial phase of the eye inspection:
- Color: redness or suffusion of allergy, drug use, glaucoma, infection, trauma, jaundice, ciliary flush of Iritis, and the green or brown Kayser-Fleischer Ring of Wilson's disease.
- Swelling: abscess, allergy, cyst, exophthalmos, myxedema, or tumor.
- Other External Eye Findings: clarity, discharge, dryness, ptosis, protosis, spasm (tic), tropion, or ulcer.
Please see the related pages listed below for information on the other detailed portions of the eye and vision exam
Related Pages:
Medical History Related to the Eye
- 8. Eye Color (For Identification)
- 17.b. Contact Lenses (for Near Vision)
- 18.d. Eye or vision trouble except glasses
Anatomy (Eye Structure)
- 31. Eyes, general (This Page)
- 32. Ophthalmoscopic
- 33. Pupils
- 34. Ocular Motility
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 the General portion of the Eyes & Vision section of the Fight Physical Examination required of pilots.
Reminder: use FlightPhysical.com to familiarize yourself with aviation medical regulations and guidelines, but always discuss your specific situation with one or more AMEs before dedicating resources toward expensive clinical workups. Find an AME now