Does Exophoria Affect FAA First-Class Medical if Binocular Vision Is Normal?

[John0410]

Hello,

I’m preparing to apply for an FAA First-Class Medical and recently had a routine eye exam where a small amount of exophoria was measured. This made me curious about how AMEs typically evaluate phoria during the FAA medical process.

From what I understand, phoria itself is not automatically disqualifying, and what matters more is whether binocular vision is stable — specifically whether there is any diplopia, suppression, or poor fusion.

If stereopsis is good and there is no diplopia or suppression, can a First-Class Medical still be issued even if the exophoria measurement is somewhat higher than 6 prism diopter? In other words, is the decision mainly based on functional binocular vision rather than the exact prism diopter number?

I understand every case is individual and depends on the AME and FAA review, but I would really appreciate hearing about real-world experiences from pilots who have gone through the process.


Thanks in advance.

 

[AvNavCom]

1. First- and Second-class: If an applicant exceeds the heterophoria standards (1 prism diopter of hyperphoria, 6 prism diopters of esophoria, or 6 prism diopters of exophoria), but shows no evidence of diplopia or serious eye pathology and all other aspects of the examination are favorable, the Examiner should not withhold or deny the medical certificate. The applicant should be advised that the FAA may require further examination by a qualified eye specialist.

Instead of asking SGOTI on an internet board, why not go to the source? The FAA isn't hiding their standards from anyone.

 

[bbchien]

6 diopters of exophoria is issuable.

More, the AME can issue but the FAA will turn around and demand a board certified ophthalmologist's evaluation as to orthophoricity and vision break in arc seconds, and in which visual field. But if he finds you don't experience double vision, say even in "the upper left extreme field of gaze", it becomes a nonissue.