In general, pilots must have 20/20 DISTANT visual acuity in EACH eye separately. There is an exception to this rule for third class applicants, but personally I believe there is no reason why pilots with third class certificates should have poorer vision than the other pilots in the sky. These days nearly everyone can be corrected to 20/20 distant vision. If you wear corrective lenses (Glasses or contact lenses), remind your eye care practitioner that you are a pilot, and if they are unaware of the FAA standards, please educate them. The remainder of the visual standards are: at least 20/40 near (reading) vision, adequate color perception (Though color blindness is NOT disqualifying), and normal visual fields (in other words, adequate peripheral vision).

Everyone seems to be having LASIK done these days, and it’s fine with the FAA as long as you meet the visual standards above, with or without correction, after the surgery. “Monovision” correction is NOT approved. Make sure you ask about this before you have LASIK. Pilots often have difficulty passing the eye test in my office, and subsequently say

“I passed the RMV test”, or “My eye doctor said my eyes are fine”.

Well, I don’t make the regulations.  Show them to your eye care practitioner. If you need a referral to an excellent LASIK surgeon, Ophthamologist (Physician who cares for your eyes) or Optician (Dispenses corrective lenses), just email me. I’ll be happy to help.

If you’d like more information on vision and visual standards, I suggest AOPA.org or FAA.gov.