Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Decision Considerations - Aerospace Medical Dispositions
Item 33. Pupils
The following lists the most common conditions of aeromedical significance, and course of action that should be taken by the examiner as defined by the protocol and disposition in the table. Medical certificates must not be issued to an applicant with medical conditions that require deferral, or for any condition not listed that may result in sudden or subtle incapacitation without consulting the AMCD or the RFS. Medical documentation must be submitted for any condition in order to support an issuance of an airman medical certificate.
| Disease/Condition | Class | Evaluation Data | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disparity in size or reaction to light (afferent pupillary defect) requires clarification and/or further evaluation | All | Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report | Requires FAA Decision |
| Nonreaction to light in either eye acute or chronic | All | Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report | Requires FAA Decision |
| Nystagmus 4 | All | Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report | Requires FAA Decision |
| Synechiae, anterior or posterior | All | Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report | Requires FAA Decision |
4 Nystagmus of recent onset is cause to deny or defer certificate issuance. Any recent neurological or other evaluations available to the Examiner should be submitted to the AMCD. If nystagmus has been present for a number of years and has not recently worsened, it is usually necessary to consider only the impact that the nystagmus has upon visual acuity. The Examiner should be aware of how nystagmus may be aggravated by the forces of acceleration commonly encountered in aviation and by poor illumination.