My medical is up in about a month and I was looking for some clarification about contact lenses and vision. I wear contact lenses because I can't see far very well. I always get confused if this means I'm near or farsighted and how I appropriately answer this question. I know it pretty simple question but when I googled I got various results thanks.

Item 17.b. Do You Ever Use Near Vision Contact Lens(es) While Flying?
The applicant should indicate whether near vision contact lens(es) is/are used while flying. If the applicant answers yes, the Examiner should counsel the applicant that the use of contact lens(es) (bifocal or unifocal) specifically for the correction of near vision is/are inappropriate. The Examiner must note in Item 60 that this counseling has been given.

If the applicant checks yes and no further comment is noted on FAA
Form 8500-8 by either the applicant or the Examiner, a letter will automatically be sent to the applicant informing him or her that the use of contact lens(es) specifically to correct near vision is/are inappropriate for flying.

Titus577 wrote: ...I wear contact lenses because I can't see far very well. I always get confused if this means...

you are what you can see so you are near sighted. Is that your question?

Yes, it answers my question. Now regarding the medical, I'm not able to use contacts for my nearsightednes or it's "not appropriate"? Whatever that means.

Near vision and nearsighted are two separate things.

If you're nearsighted you wear lenses for far vision. If you're farsighted, you wear lenses for near vision (think bifocals for close).

The FAA has issues if you wear contacts to see up close, not if you wear contacts to see far.

Gump

So in my situation I would say no?

You would say no. You wear contacts for distance, not up close (near vision).

Gump

Correct. Thank you for being patient with my question. I think I was confused 5 years ago. Hopefully I'll learn.

TrevDog wrote:

Titus577 wrote: ...I wear contact lenses because I can't see far very well. I always get confused if this means...

you are what you can see so you are near sighted. Is that your question?

"You are what you can see" I will remember that. Sing it: Albania Albania it lies on the Mediterranean and it's chief export is coal.

Also, just a piece of advise, if you have ANY doubts about an answer on the medical application, ASK the nurse/receptionist to let you defer that question till you are talking to the AME. The AME is there to help you, and filling out the application is NOT intended to be some kind of test....

MTV

Though, some kind of common sense test..... Maybe not a bad idea!

Just kidding! Just kidding!

Gump

When in doubt, just say no. Good advice for other things in life too, besides medical applications.