Glaucoma: Issues for Aviators
Ophthalmologic FAA Exam Techniques
Excerpts from Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Application Process for Medical Certification
Exam Techniques and Criteria for Qualification
Items 31-34. Eye - Glaucoma
The Examiner should deny or defer issuance of a medical certificate to an applicant if there is a loss of visual
fields, a significant change in visual acuity, a diagnosis of or treatment for glaucoma, or newly diagnosed
intraocular hypertension.
The FAA may grant an Authorization under the special issuance section of Part 67 (14 CFR 67.401) on an individual
basis. The Examiner can facilitate FAA review by obtaining a report of Ophthalmological Evaluation for
Glaucoma (FAA Form 8500-14) from a treating or evaluating
eye specialist (optometrist or ophthmologist), See AME Assisted Special Issuance for Glaucoma.
Because secondary glaucoma is caused
by known pathology such as; uveitis or trauma, eligibility must largely depend upon that pathology. Secondary
glaucoma is often unilateral, and if the cause or disease process is no longer active and the other eye remains
normal certification is likely.
Applicants with primary or secondary narrow angle glaucoma are usually denied because of the risk of an attack of angle closure, because of incapacitating symptoms of severe pain, nausea, transitory loss of accommodative power, blurred vision, halos, epiphora, or iridoparesis. Central venous occlusion can occur with catastrophic loss of vision. However, when surgery such as iridectomy or iridencleisis has been performed satisfactorily more than 3 months before the application, the likelihood of difficulties is considerably more remote, and applicants in that situation may be favorably considered by the FAA.
An applicant with unilateral or bilateral open angle glaucoma may be certified by the FAA (with follow-up required) when a current ophthalmological report substantiates that pressures are under adequate control, there is little or no visual field loss or other complications, and the person tolerates small to moderate doses of allowable medications. Individuals who have had filter surgery for their glaucoma, or combined glaucoma/cataract surgery, can be considered when stable and without complications. A few applicants have been certified following their demonstration of adequate control with oral medication. Neither miotics nor mydriatics are necessarily medically disqualifying.
However, miotics such as pilocarpine cause pupillary constriction and could conceivably interfere with night vision.
Although the FAA no longer routinely prohibits pilots who use such medications from flying at night, it may be
worthwhile for the Examiner to discuss this aspect of the use of miotics with applicants. If considerable
disturbance in night vision is documented, the FAA may limit the medical certificate: NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLYING
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