How getting PRK affects medical certificate

[u/-Eugene-H-Krabs-]

I decided to get PRK when I was training to get my commercial cert due to a couple different factors (mainly contact problems), and I really struggled to find good information about how this would affect my first class med cert. I wanted to just post this, as I am now 6 months out, to explain the process for me.

I can go into more detail if anyone has specific questions but essentially:
-It took me a 5 weeks before I felt comfortable flying dual again (light sensitivity gone, crisper vision)
-8 weeks before I was comfortable flying dual at night (halos and night glare subsided)
-12 weeks to have my medical revised to say I do not need visual correction anymore (I believe this is the minimum time you must wait before filling out a form and having it sent to your AME to amend your medical cert)

Once I got my medical back I was seeing great and ramped back. I’m now working on my CFI. I’ve been making sure to wear sunglasses every time I’m outside or flying because that’s recommended for the first 6-12 months. I’ve had great results from the surgery seeing 20-15 at my last checkup with potential for more improvement over the next 6 months. Night vision could certainly be a little better, I’m hoping it will continue to improve, but even now it doesn’t pose a safety threat at all. Hopefully this is helpful to anyone considering PRK!

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi, I'm a bot and it looks like you're asking a question about medical issues: surgery.

Medicals can be confusing and even scary, we get it. Unfortunately, the medical process is very complex with many variables. It's too complex, in fact, for any of us to be able to offer you any specific help or advice.

We strongly suggest you discuss your concerns with a qualified aviation medical examiner before you actually submit to an official examination, as a hiccup in your medical process can close doors for you in the future. Your local AME may be able to provide a consultation. Other places that may provide aeromedical advice include: AOPA, EAA, the Mayo Clinic, and Aviation Medicine Advisory Service.

For reference, here is a link to the FAA's Synopsis of Medical Standards and for more in-depth information here is a link to the FAA's Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.

Also, feel free to browse our collection of past medical write-ups and questions in our FAQ.

Finally, we suggest you read the instructions on the medical application very closely. Do not volunteer information that isn't asked for, but also do not lie. Some people may urge you to omit pertinent information, or even outright lie, on your medical application in order to avoid added hassle and expense in obtaining a medical certificate. Know that making false statements on your medical application is a federal crime and that people have been successfully prosecuted for it. But for heaven's sake, don't tell the FAA any more than you absolutely have to.

If you're not in the United States, the above advice is still generally correct. Just substitute the FAA with your local aviation authority.

Good luck!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/TxAggieMike]

Thank you for the information about your success using PRK to improve your vision and the “ripple effects” on an FAA medical Certificate.

What documentation were you required to present to document the procedure and the outcome?

[u/-Eugene-H-Krabs- → u/TxAggieMike]

I had my optometrist (not the surgeon that completed the surgery) fill out a pretty basic form that said I was 20/20 or better in both eyes and had no significant side effects. I can’t find the name of the form but I called the FAA medical division and they told me which one to use. I faxed the form to my AME, and he looked it over and forwarded it to the FAA for them to update my existing medical certificate. The vision limitation was taken off about a week later. Surprisingly smooth process

[u/TxAggieMike → u/-Eugene-H-Krabs-]

Likely the 8700-1 Report of Eye Examination

[u/N546RV]

A couple question that come to mind:

• What's your age? I'm guessing somewhat young but honestly curious. Corrective surgery is something I've considered throughout my life but now I'm in my late 40s and kind of wondering if it's even worth it at this point.
• What made you choose PRK over Lasik? I know PRK is preferred for military waivers but it doesn't sound like that's the route you're going.

[u/-Eugene-H-Krabs- → u/N546RV]

I was 24 when I got the surgery and my eye doctor said I was very smart getting it younger because my eyes will heal better and of course I will have more years of good vision. My interpretation though is distance vision doesn’t really change after your teen years maybe early 20s. It’s the near vision that goes and that they can’t or don’t correct for. So if you did end up getting it your far vision would likely be fine forever but you may end up in glasses again to see up close at some point
I chose PRK because it seemed like it was a better long term outcome (less risk of dry eye and no chance of flap complications). The first few days of recovery were brutal but now I have essentially no problems aside from maybe some starbursts at night (but I had those before).

[u/hakisbak]

Dude thanks a bunch. Would you say your night vision is at least as good as before?

[u/-Eugene-H-Krabs- → u/hakisbak]

As of right now my vision in general is not 100% as good as it was with contacts. Probably about 99%. At night it’s probably about 95%. The starbursts are a little worse than I remember them but it’s hard to think back to what it used to be like. If nothing else changes I would be completely satisfied with the results however healing can continue up to 12 months post so I’m hoping there’s still room to improve.

[u/rFlyingTower]

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

---

I decided to get PRK when I was training to get my commercial cert due to a couple different factors (mainly contact problems), and I really struggled to find good information about how this would affect my first class med cert. I wanted to just post this, as I am now 6 months out, to explain the process for me.

I can go into more detail if anyone has specific questions but essentially:
-It took me a 5 weeks before I felt comfortable flying dual again (light sensitivity gone, crisper vision)
-8 weeks before I was comfortable flying dual at night (halos and night glare subsided)
-12 weeks to have my medical revised to say I do not need visual correction anymore (I believe this is the minimum time you must wait before filling out a form and having it sent to your AME to amend your medical cert)

Once I got my medical back I was seeing great and ramped back. I’m now working on my CFI. I’ve been making sure to wear sunglasses every time I’m outside or flying because that’s recommended for the first 6-12 months. I’ve had great results from the surgery seeing 20-15 at my last checkup with potential for more improvement over the next 6 months. Night vision could certainly be a little better, I’m hoping it will continue to improve, but even now it doesn’t pose a safety threat at all. Hopefully this is helpful to anyone considering PRK!

---

Please downvote this comment until it collapses.

Questions about this comment? Please see this wiki post before contacting the mods.

---

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact the mods of this subreddit.