Binocular Multifocal & Accommodating Devices

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
• 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.

Medical History Related to the Eye

• 18.d. Eye or vision trouble except glasses

Anatomy (Eye Structure)

• 31. Eyes, general
• 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)