Yes, you can become a pilot while wearing glasses or contact lenses. Modern aviation regulations recognize that corrective lenses allow individuals to meet the strict visual acuity standards required for safe flight operations. Eligibility for a pilot medical certificate in civil aviation is determined by the ability to achieve the necessary corrected vision.
Medical Certification: The Foundation for Pilots
Every pilot must hold a current medical certificate to confirm they meet the minimum physical and mental standards set by the governing body, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. A designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), a physician trained in aeromedical requirements, administers this examination.
Medical certificates are tiered into three classes, depending on the type of flying activity. A First-Class certificate is required for airline transport pilots flying commercially, representing the highest standard. Commercial pilots not operating under airline transport rules typically require a Second-Class certificate. The Third-Class certificate permits private, recreational, and student pilots to fly.
Civil Aviation Vision Standards
Civil aviation vision standards focus on corrected visual acuity across different distances. For a First-Class medical certificate, a pilot must demonstrate distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction. Near vision, measured at 16 inches, must be 20/40 or better in each eye, also with or without correction.
Pilots seeking a Third-Class certificate have a less demanding distant vision standard of 20/40 or better in each eye, corrected or uncorrected. Pilots aged 50 and older seeking a First- or Second-Class certificate must also meet an intermediate vision standard of 20/40 or better at 32 inches, which ensures the ability to clearly read cockpit instrumentation. The renewal frequency of these certificates varies significantly by class and age.
Color Vision and Other Essential Visual Requirements
Beyond basic acuity, a pilot must demonstrate the ability to distinguish colors necessary for safe flight duties. This capability is mandatory for all classes of medical certificates and is essential for tasks like identifying navigation lights, chart symbols, and colored light-gun signals from air traffic control. The initial color vision test often involves pseudo-isochromatic plates, such as the Ishihara test.
Failing the initial color vision test does not automatically disqualify a candidate, but it can lead to a restriction on the medical certificate. This limitation often prohibits flying at night or by color signal control. Candidates may attempt to pass an Operational Color Vision Test (OCVT) to remove the restriction, proving their ability to identify colored signals in a functional environment. Other requirements include having a normal field of vision and sufficient binocular function for depth perception.
Military Aviation Vision Requirements
Vision standards for military aviation are more demanding than those for civil pilots, particularly for initial applicants to high-performance roles. Military standards often impose a strict limit on uncorrected visual acuity, recognizing that corrective lenses could be lost or damaged during combat or emergency situations. For instance, a U.S. Air Force pilot candidate must have uncorrected distant vision no worse than 20/70, correctable to 20/20.
Candidates for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilot training must meet an uncorrected distant visual acuity of no less than 20/40, correctable to 20/20. The U.S. Army’s standards for aviators require uncorrected vision to be no worse than 20/50, correctable to 20/20. These stringent uncorrected standards mean that a candidate who meets civil standards may be disqualified from military flight training, though waivers are possible once a pilot is already in service.
Vision Correction Surgery and Pilot Eligibility
Vision correction procedures, such as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), are permissible for civil pilots and are increasingly accepted by the military. The primary concern of regulatory bodies is that the post-operative vision is stable, meets the required acuity standards, and is free of adverse side effects. The mandatory “no-fly” waiting period after surgery has been reduced, reflecting confidence in modern surgical outcomes.
A pilot who undergoes LASIK or SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) must wait a minimum of two weeks before resuming flying duties, provided their treating specialist confirms stability. The recovery period for PRK is longer, requiring a minimum of 12 weeks before a pilot can return to flying. Pilots must submit specific documentation, often the FAA’s Report of Eye Evaluation (Form 8500-7), certifying the absence of complications like night glare, halos, or fluctuating vision.
Preparing for Your Aviation Medical Exam
Candidates who use corrective lenses should prepare for a smooth medical examination process. Before the appointment, visit an optometrist to confirm your prescription is current and provides the sharpest possible visual acuity. Bring your current glasses or contacts to the examination, along with any necessary backup corrective lenses, as the AME will test your vision while wearing them.
Pilots must be prepared to discuss their complete vision history, including the date of their most recent prescription change or any vision correction procedures. If you have concerns regarding your vision or past procedures, discuss them with the Aviation Medical Examiner beforehand. Preparedness with clear documentation helps the AME confirm that your corrected vision meets the specified regulatory standards.