Larco

Well Known Member
The AMEs that I have spoken with so far say call the FAA, The FAA says have your doctor call their doctor so they can discuss it. SO
Has anyone had specific experience with the Crystalens Accommodating lens and the FAA regarding what the post op restrictions might be and paperwork flow.

Thanks, Larry
 
Lens

I just had the standard lens. My understanding is get a letter from the eye surgeon that everything is normal and present that to the doctor when you get your next medical.
Should be a non event unless there were complications from the surgery.
 
The below "Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners" seems pretty clear to me. Not sure why the AME's you have spoken with have had issue. The concern would be if you had any "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".
Halos would fall into this category and would have a high incidence post multifocal but perhaps not accommodating lens. I would bring this guide to your eye surgeons office and request a letter to take to your AME.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...am/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/binocular/


Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners

Decision Considerations
Disease Protocols - Binocular Multifocal and 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 of 3 months post-operative
Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) - minimum of 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:

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 does not change the current certification policy on the use of monofocal non-accommodating intraocular lenses.