I was diagnosed with keratoconis about five years ago. I discussed this with my ophthalmologist, my AME, consulted with the aeromedical units of the FAA, AOPA, AMAS and our airline union's aeromedical group. My experiance was very good.
First point is that I take a First Class every six months. This may be why I was not advised that I would require a SI as Dr. Chien indicated. I researched various treatment options and found Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler. He has developed a cross-linking treatment which does not involve ablatiting part of the cornea, and was getting very good results. I contacted him and we discussed the treatment over the phone. He sent me more information which we reviewed. The FAA Aeromedical Office's position was that I could hold a First Class until I could no longer pass the vision requirements. Should I undergo this treatment, I would be grounded until I passed two vision tests, conducted by my ophthalmologist, showing stable 20/20 in each eye. These two tests needed to be conducted 7 days apart. I was advised that upon completion of that requirement, I could return to flight status and simply needed to submit a fully completed 8500-7 at my next physical.
I had the treatment over four years ago. I had Intacts inplanted in each eye to help correct the keratoconus induced astigmatism, and the crosslink treatment to halt the progression. I remained grounded for one month, passed three eye exams, each 7 days apart, corrected to 20/17 with glasses. I had my ophthalmologist complete the 8500-7 and forwarded a copy to my AME and the FAA Aeromedical Office, then returned to work. At my next physicial, I had all of my records from the treatment and follow up, and listed the treatment on the form 8500-8 along with the 8500-7. My AME completed the exam, issued my new First Class and kept the file until my next exam 6 months later, when he returned it to me. I have listed the treatment on each subsequent application. The FAA Aeromedical office never contacted me or my AME for any additional information. My vision has been very stable, no issues and I'm very staisfied with the outcome. The only side effect which I noticed was an occational feeling like I had something in my eye, which lasted a couple of months then disappeared.
