Question about contacts...

Is it suggested to have contacts for a mild prescription like mine -.50?

I atried to make an appt for a through eye exam today with the Army.
Here is why, I found out about the flight training center at Osan AB and
talked one of the guys who is a member of the aeroclub, I am required to
get a FAA medical done. I want to get FIRST CLASS physical and I know
that I can't read the 20/20 with my right at all times. It is almost not
possible to read the 20/20 anymore it seems, 20/25 sometimes. If I wear
glasses for that exam then it goes on your pilot license as a
restriction, just like your drivers license. I don't really want that,
because sometimes I can see just fine and I don't need glasses for
flying on those days but if it is on your license, you have to have them
on. I thought I can use contacts because FAA's is not a through eye exam
just reading the chart. I want to get contacts for those days which I
can't see well in the distance or at night for "only" flying. I asked if
Army does contacts, no they don't, the sgt at the desk suggested I go
downtown off post and go to a local optical store in Korea. Not sure
about that. Anyway on the 23rd, I will go have a walk in eye exam,
throughly hopefully.

--
PFC Yasar, M
U.S. ARMY
AH-64D "Armt Dawg"
A Co/602d ASB/2ID/EUSA
Camp Humphreys, South Korea

 

Sure. Should work fine for you.

 

Dear John,

You must tell the "Army" that you
are wearing contacts -- even if they
do not ask.

Whether they will "accept" you
with contracts is something of
an "open" question.

Best,

Otis

 

I don't even know where to start though, being overseas at the moment is
another issue as foreign health centers, clinics etc are off limits. I
know there are types of lenses, etc, which ones would be ok for me I
have no clue. I never wore glasses in my life (except pluses) I am going
to need minus for flight and night time.

--
PFC Yasar, M
U.S. ARMY
AH-64D "Armt Dawg"
A Co/602d ASB/2ID/EUSA
Camp Humphreys, South Korea

 

Dear Otis,

The physical is not for the Army. It is for FAA since I am going back to
civilian flying in my spare time. I don't want to have restrictions on
my license as I have good vision at times, but I am willing to use
correction when my eyes need it. Especially at night. I am well under
Army limits with a -.50 or worse -.75, if it progressed. Army limit is
-1.50. I have a lot of room.


--
PFC Yasar, M
U.S. ARMY
AH-64D "Armt Dawg"
A Co/602d ASB/2ID/EUSA
Camp Humphreys, South Korea

 

Dear John,

Then you must check your vision as you have been doing
it. I have learned a lesson from you -- that you are
applying a "higher" standard for judging your chart
than the military does -- since you passed with
flying colors.

Congratualtions on that result.

What I would suggest is that you always check your
vision on your chart, and go "pass" the FAA exam,
since it is basically a simple Snellen on the wall.

Once you have done this -- and wish "sharper" vision
you could buy a mild minus from zenioptical, and
just wear it for night flight. There are no
"rules" against that in the FAA. A mild
minus will make your vision sharper than 20/20,
and Mike states.

And by the same token, you could go to an
OD, and just state that you would like a
mild contact of -1/2 diopter to "clear"
your night vision. Since you are passing
all REQUIRED legal vision test, I am
certain that the OD will support you
when he understands what you
request, and why.

I think you have done a wonderful job
of keeping your vision clear -- and
we are all happy about your success.

Best,

Otis

 

get a soft disposable contact lens. good brands include Acuvue, Focus,
SofLens. you just put them in when you need them. take them out at
nightime when you sleep. throw them away after about 1 month when they
get a little dirty. when they are not in your eyes, they soak in a
solution inside your contact lens case. pretty simple.

 

All things considered, I wouldn't post real information about my identity.
Usenet posts can come back to haunt you.