medical cat 1 with glaucoma ?

[goaroundthrust]

Do you automatically loose your medical cat 1 if you have been diagnosed with glaucoma , or can you keep flying ?
anybody know anything on this ?
Thanks

[RatherBeFlying]

My opthamologist knows I'm a pilot -- you do have to tell him you are.

Glaucoma involves the loss of function in individual retinal cells because of elevated intraocular pressure. The progress of vision loss can be halted by controlling intraocular pressure -- the sooner you begin treatment, the more vision can be conserved.

TC will not lift your medical because of glaucoma, but it will be lifted because of unacceptable vision loss.

TC will want to see your visual field test results at your next medical. Talk to your AME about what documentation is required and arrange with your opthamologist to have it available for your next medical.

[goaroundthrust]

thanks , my field of vision is fine , but they want to test my optic nerve since it is larger than normal , also the eye pressure is fine , does that make sense ?

[patter]

Have you been told of a specific diagnosis of glaucoma? Or is it suspected? I wouldn't throw any diagnosis around until it is confirmed. Maybe this has been the case since birth.
The medical profession likes to find things wrong. They make more money that way.

[goaroundthrust]

no diagnosis really ,apparently they just want to make sure that everything is ok . Pressure and field of vision are perfect , thats why i dont understand why they want me to see a specialist ?
According to my history i always had a bigger optic nerve and it has not really changed in the last 6 years .
Very strange indeed ... thanks for the reply .

[FlightSolutions]

Not sure if it would be the same here but my uncle developed Glaucoma in the British Army Air Corps as an attack helicopter pilot. He was limited to 2 crew only and flew till his retirement as a Col. He had probably a 30 year career.