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 or a significant change in visual acuity.

The FAA may grant an Authorization under the special issuance section of Part 67 (14 CFR 67.401) on an individual basis. The Examiner must obtain a report of Ophthalmological Evaluation for Glaucoma (FAA Form 8500-14) from an ophthalmologist. See Glaucoma Worksheet (PDF). 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 Secondary glaucoma is often unilateral, and if the cause or disease process is no longer active and the other eye remains normal certification is likely.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 iridoclesis 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.

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. Applicants using miotic or mydriatic eye drops or taking an oral medication for glaucoma may be considered for Special Issuance certification following their demonstration of adequate control. These medications do not qualify for the CACI program.

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.