Q&A: Cataract Surgery
By Penny Giovanetti, D.O., Manager, Aerospace Medical Specialties Division
Source: FAA Safety Briefing, July/August 2017
Q. I understand that the FAA will not allow a pilot to fly using monovision corrective lens, (con-acts or eye glasses) where one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other is corrected for reading. What is the FAA position on cataract surgery, where this is done?
A. Surgical monovision is treated the same as acquired monocularity, and requires a Medical Flight Test and Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) after a 6 month adaptation period.
Send your questions to SafetyBriefing@faa.gov. They will be forwarded to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division, without your name, and the answer will be published in an upcoming issue of FAA Safety Briefing.
Penny Giovanetti, D.O., received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford, a master’s in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine from the University of Iowa and a doctorate from Des Moines University. She completed a 27-year career as an Air Force flight surgeon. She is board certified in aerospace medicine, occupational medicine, and physical medicine/rehabilitation. She is also a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association and a private pilot. |