Eye Floater and Ocular Hypertension

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Current 1st class medical holder. Early 20s. Couple months ago went to see a eye doctor due to increasing floaters. Ophthalmologist didn't found issue other than the eye pressure was 26 and 25 mm hg in each eye. I just revisited the office couple days ago and it did go down to 22 and 23 mm hg and still nothing wrong was discovered (was told everything is healthy/no issue flying).

I'm wondering what I would need for my next renewal. I'm guessing FAA FORM 8500-7, FORM 8500-14, and a Visual Field Test? Would I select Yes on Medical history: eye or vision trouble except glasses on MEDExpress for my next renewal? Would this issue require a SI? How long can I expect this to clear? If the pressure falls even more into the normal range should I still expect to submit the forms annually throughout my career?

Thanks for any advice.
 
I have presumptive normal-tension glaucoma. The "presumptive" is because there is no definitive diagnostic item or event; it's a process of elimination.
You should likely get a Humphrey visual field survey. My left eye, which was injured a while back, is pretty bad (tests 20/30, but has some grey areas. Literally.) My right eye is pretty good (20/15), but shows a slight field deficit. It may have been that way all of my life, and the only issue I have is from the eye trauma, but I'm on something to drop my pressure to 16 or so regardless.
I've had three Humphrey tests, no change over some months. So good on that.
I'm told that at my next medical (which is on hold due to recovering from prostate cancer) I'll likely be deferred, and required to do a SODA flight. I've not flown since before the pandemic (sold the plane, busy at work, you know the drill) and just started back a few months ago.
As I'm just a pleasure flyer for now, I may skip the medical entirely, as MOSAIC covers 90% of what I want to do.
 
WE can't "CACI" that as onset was at age <40. But a good AME can gett all that into the agency and call on day of exam for approval. That involves (get this, say at a fedeX terminal) a FAX machine, unless you go through the AME of record.
 
Thanks for the reply. My current Ophthalmologist (Kaiser) is not cooperative and says she won't sign any document citing Kaiser policy. Is it time to find a new Ophthalmologist or would a clinical note suffice? Would switching Ophthalmologist look bad in the eyes of the FAA?

Would the FAA prefer Humphrey 24-2 or 30-2?

Thanks a lot.
 
Go to an AME for a consultation with your documentations and make sure that they are willing and able to call the FAA for approval on the day of exam. Got my medical the day of exam.

I submitted a 8500-7 form and a set of visual field 24-2 for each eye.

My understanding is that Kaiser doctor will not sign any document but Kaiser's "Medical Records" or "Release of Information" department will. Have you tried asking them to fill out the 8500-7?
 
Aviator4922 said:
Go to an AME for a consultation with your documentations and make sure that they are willing and able to call the FAA for approval on the day of exam. Got my medical the day of exam.

I submitted a 8500-7 form and a set of visual field 24-2 for each eye.

My understanding is that Kaiser doctor will not sign any document but Kaiser's "Medical Records" or "Release of Information" department will. Have you tried asking them to fill out the 8500-7?
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Thank you for your reply. I just had a consultation with an AME, he said he will upload the docs and call the FAA on the day of but he was very skeptical that the FAA will approve that quickly. I’m just hoping for the best. Is there anything else I need to let the AME know to get the on the day of exam approval?

On a side note, should I be expected to get deferred every year (my goal is keeping first class current) or is there some provision that the FAA will allow me that I can qualify for AME directly issuing the medical certificate after the initial deferral? I’m curious about your case.

Kaiser said they might do it or might not, but at least I’m sure I’ll get a detailed clinical report which I’m hoping it suffices.

Thank you any reply helps.
 
Anonymus said:
Thank you for your reply. I just had a consultation with an AME, he said he will upload the docs and call the FAA on the day of but he was very skeptical that the FAA will approve that quickly. I’m just hoping for the best. Is there anything else I need to let the AME know to get the on the day of exam approval?

On a side note, should I be expected to get deferred every year (my goal is keeping first class current) or is there some provision that the FAA will allow me that I can qualify for AME directly issuing the medical certificate after the initial deferral? I’m curious about your case.

Kaiser said they might do it or might not, but at least I’m sure I’ll get a detailed clinical report which I’m hoping it suffices.

Thank you any reply helps.
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I had no problem getting it the same day. Let us know if you end up getting it or you have to be deferred.

Your AME should be able to issue next year if nothing has changed.

I would push Kaiser for that 8500-14. I provided a detailed clinical report to my AME during my consultation but he didn’t even look at it.
 
@bbchien

Dear Dr. Chien,

I finally gathered all the documents: 8500-14 (Everything is normal), Detailed Progress Note, Humphrey Visual Test (Normal). Everything is normal and healthy, however, one thing still concerns me. Intraocular pressure was 24 mm HG both eyes, higher than the CACI standards.

Doctor said no need for Meds and was satisfied with my current condition. Is this going to be a show stopper?
 
That can indeed be authorized on the phone. The problem is that if he is not already your AME of record, he cannot upload until he submits it as a deferral so the FAA guy has nothing to read. Of course, then it's deferred.

Solution: Put your name and DOB and last 4 of your SSN on everypage, and fax it into FAA at 405-954-4040 or 405-954-4300 (from a FedexOffice facility if you don't have access to a fax). It'll be visible to the FAA 14 days later, and that's when to have the physical. then he calls, "File is open, a/M is otherwise qualified, may we issue?"

If your VFs are truly normal this should be a "make".
 
First, I would like to give great thanks to everyone who replied to my post. I was able to get on day of exam approval for my medical. Here are some details for anyone experiencing the same issue in the future for reference.

Diagnosis: Ocular Hypertension, Eye Floaters

Note: Renewal (previous first class holder). No visual field loss, No optical nerve damage, (Ophthalmologist didn't understand why I had to go through the hoops stating my eyes are normal). No Medication or treatment. I spammed my ophthalmologist's inbox for the 8500-14.

I submitted 8500-14, Humphrey Visual Field Test 24-2 for both eyes (actual test printout not just doctor statement), Detailed clinical note (typical printout of ophthalmologist exam report) all dated within 90 days of the exam (mine was 30 days exact).

After gathering the document, I went to a local FEDEX store and faxed all the document to 405-954-4300. (Took one and a half hours to send 9 pages so be prepared). As Dr. Chien stated, put your name and DOB and last 4 of your SSN on everypage. Then I would fax it one page at a time because it kept failing if I tried sending all the pages at once. I believe, an alternative way would be to go to your AME of record and make them upload or fax it. Dr. Chien stated that it takes about 14 days to appear on the system from the day you've sent the fax. FAA said about 3 to 5 business days, but I'd give it more time than that.

After 12 days, I called CAMI on 4059544821 (Press option 1) at 8am CST sharp and verified that all the documents were uploaded. You can also ask how many total pages of document they received to verify that they haven't lost anything. If they refuse, hang up and call again for another agent. The first agent was very grumpy. The second agent was very nice.

Then, I went to the AME and took my exam. Initially he refused to call (got very nervous here) but he called eventually. I was able to receive my medical about 2 hours after my exam (get a morning exam). So I'd suggest going to an ame who is not reluctant to call.

Seems like my medical is a special issuance (not valid for any class after 12 CM which is a slight bummer? Hopefully airlines won't care as I start the application process). I will keep this post updated once I get the official letter from CAMI and the instructions for renewal (hopefully its AASI). I can still fly! Now back to work tomorrow.
 
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