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Why is Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) "Not Acceptable"?
FAA Glaucoma Worksheet- "NOT acceptable: Normal Tension Glaucoma, secondary glaucoma due to inflammation, trauma, or the presence of any other significant eye patholog..."
I had a traumatic eye injury with an IOL lens implant due to traumatic cataract over 20 years ago, which was all reported on my FAA medicals. I maintained a 1st class afterwards for a few years before I stopped flying. Vision has slowly diminished to 20/200ish in that eye and now appears stable. I have 20/20 in the good eye. I know that at the very least, I will need to apply for a SODA.
5 years ago, extensive testing was performed and everything was negative. Doctors statement was "I favor low-tension glaucoma superimposed on previous trauma". IMO, this was a theory based on "exclusion". My pressures always test in the 10 to 14 range without using any medicated drops (both eyes). My most recent eye exam with a different O.D. said that both eyes look healthy except that 1 optic nerve is very pale, and in his opinion, it is not glaucoma (pressure 10).
Anybody have any opinions? Which direction to go to satisfy the FAA? Is it better to go back for a NTG diagnosis, or try to link it back to the 20 year old (previously reported) injury. Is it a lost cause either way? I am sure the FAA needs some official diagnosis for the vision loss. I thought NTG would be a good diagnosis until I saw "Not Acceptable" on FAA Glaucoma Worksheet.
FAA Glaucoma Worksheet- "NOT acceptable: Normal Tension Glaucoma, secondary glaucoma due to inflammation, trauma, or the presence of any other significant eye patholog..."
I had a traumatic eye injury with an IOL lens implant due to traumatic cataract over 20 years ago, which was all reported on my FAA medicals. I maintained a 1st class afterwards for a few years before I stopped flying. Vision has slowly diminished to 20/200ish in that eye and now appears stable. I have 20/20 in the good eye. I know that at the very least, I will need to apply for a SODA.
5 years ago, extensive testing was performed and everything was negative. Doctors statement was "I favor low-tension glaucoma superimposed on previous trauma". IMO, this was a theory based on "exclusion". My pressures always test in the 10 to 14 range without using any medicated drops (both eyes). My most recent eye exam with a different O.D. said that both eyes look healthy except that 1 optic nerve is very pale, and in his opinion, it is not glaucoma (pressure 10).
Anybody have any opinions? Which direction to go to satisfy the FAA? Is it better to go back for a NTG diagnosis, or try to link it back to the 20 year old (previously reported) injury. Is it a lost cause either way? I am sure the FAA needs some official diagnosis for the vision loss. I thought NTG would be a good diagnosis until I saw "Not Acceptable" on FAA Glaucoma Worksheet.