I was just wondering about various airlines policies on pilots who have had laser eye surgery.
Are there any out there that will not hire pilots who have had it done(Canadian companies in particular)?
Or is it as long as you can hold a medical that is sufficient?
Thanks.
Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
I know I have flown with captains who have had it done. As far as I know the only requirement is that you can hold a medical. A couple of months ago transport had an article in the aviation safety newsletter that outlined the proper procedures for getting eye surgery you may want to have a look http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/p ... tm#medical
Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
Thanks for the link Red.
Anyone out there employed with Air Canada, Jazz, Transat, etc. that have had it done?
Any regrets or complications?
Anyone out there employed with Air Canada, Jazz, Transat, etc. that have had it done?
Any regrets or complications?
Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
I've had it done and it's really simple to get your medical back. As far as i know the only place that won't accept you is Japan, everywhere else as long as you can hold the medical it's fine. Don't cheap out on the surgery, find a reputable place to have it done.
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Jack Klumpus
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Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
How long did it take you to get your medical back?
My brother did it a few years ago, Lasik, not Laser, and got his after 3 months. I believe the original TC quote was 6 months.
My brother did it a few years ago, Lasik, not Laser, and got his after 3 months. I believe the original TC quote was 6 months.
When I retire, I’ll miss the clowns, not the circus.
Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
The last I heard was that if you fly two crew you can get your medical back in a month,
if you fly single pilot it is 3 months.
I have been thinking about getting it done off and on for a while now.
I have heard good things about the Gimbel Eye Centre.
if you fly single pilot it is 3 months.
I have been thinking about getting it done off and on for a while now.
I have heard good things about the Gimbel Eye Centre.
Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
Lasik IS laser surgery.
Most airlines have no problems with it. If you use search, you'll find several threads on this very topic
Good luck!
Most airlines have no problems with it. If you use search, you'll find several threads on this very topic
Good luck!
Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not,knows no release from the little things; knows not the livid loneliness of fear, nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear the sound of wings.
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av8tor_assrope
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Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
I want to die like my grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming in terror like his passengers...
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danielpower
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Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
Thanks for sharing the important information.
Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
With the latest techniques can anyone tell me after the surgery and subsequent eye deterioration can contact lenses be fitted? I am a looong time contact lens user but was told at one point after the surgery that contacts would not be an option.
The advice that the AC medical doctor told me was that if my vision is correctable to 20/20 why take a chance? That, along with being a big baby, I haven't done it..... yet.
The advice that the AC medical doctor told me was that if my vision is correctable to 20/20 why take a chance? That, along with being a big baby, I haven't done it..... yet.
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Clyde River
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Re: Airline Policy on Laser Eye Surgery
I had I-Lasik, and I work for AC. The I-Lasik (Interlase Lasik) is about $5000 or so. I would recommend getting the latest and greatest from a doctor that has thousands of procedures under his belt, and offers new equipment in a clean, well run facility. I you feel at all uncomfortable with the office - bail, and look elsewhere. The assessment should be free. I had two prior to actually getting the work done.
Not everyone is a candidate for any particular type of procedure, but that would be determined by the surgeon.
As far as TC was concerned, you have the surgery, and by CARs you MUST remove yourself from service at that time. TC doesn't need to know about that particularly, except you can not fly -- or face the legal and liability ramifications!
You need to have TC medical department forward you the follow up forms to be filled in by the surgeon to allow you to regain you medical status subsequently. Do that pro-actively and get on it after about 2 weeks.
You can apply for your licence back after about 4 weeks, but that is somewhat variable +/- depending on the report and timing of that from the surgeon. I had my licence back in my hands with the updated stick-on medical cert within 4 weeks. Days off - vacation worked fine, although I was a bit tight for the work subsequently. Thanks to some fine work by the TC staff, and a personal visit to the office, I had the documents in order in time.
Although not required, I copied all the docs and communication and gave that to the medical examiner. I keep copies of the TC form photocopied, and have the surgeon fill that in on the follow-up visits, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, then yearly.
I've had no problems, but if you are into very active sports, you might want to get all the information about limitations or expectations, eye protection, etc.
Most people will likely need reading glasses after the Lasik. I can get by without them - most of the time. I have a "glasses available" tag on my licence, even though I can read the near vision chart ok at my medical.
PS - there is always risk to any surgery!
Not everyone is a candidate for any particular type of procedure, but that would be determined by the surgeon.
As far as TC was concerned, you have the surgery, and by CARs you MUST remove yourself from service at that time. TC doesn't need to know about that particularly, except you can not fly -- or face the legal and liability ramifications!
You need to have TC medical department forward you the follow up forms to be filled in by the surgeon to allow you to regain you medical status subsequently. Do that pro-actively and get on it after about 2 weeks.
You can apply for your licence back after about 4 weeks, but that is somewhat variable +/- depending on the report and timing of that from the surgeon. I had my licence back in my hands with the updated stick-on medical cert within 4 weeks. Days off - vacation worked fine, although I was a bit tight for the work subsequently. Thanks to some fine work by the TC staff, and a personal visit to the office, I had the documents in order in time.
Although not required, I copied all the docs and communication and gave that to the medical examiner. I keep copies of the TC form photocopied, and have the surgeon fill that in on the follow-up visits, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, then yearly.
I've had no problems, but if you are into very active sports, you might want to get all the information about limitations or expectations, eye protection, etc.
Most people will likely need reading glasses after the Lasik. I can get by without them - most of the time. I have a "glasses available" tag on my licence, even though I can read the near vision chart ok at my medical.
PS - there is always risk to any surgery!
