What are the eyesight requirements for airline pilots?

[Trabuco Canyon]

I am hoping to join a flying school and want to know if my eyesight will prevent me from doing so. I have +0.25 in both eyes and I want to know if that will affect me in my flying. I would also like to know the maximum limit of eye power that one can hold when flying and the effect of its correction by laser treatment.

[Morganfield]

Actually, there are three classes of medical certificate for pilots. As to third-class medical certificate, the distant vision must be 20/40 in each eye to qualify for a third-class medical certificate. Near vision must be at least 20/40 for each eye when sight is measured at 16 inches. This way of measuring replicates conditions in the cockpit for near-vision tasks such as reading a chart. For any of the certificates, you must be able to see colors and you can't have an eye condition that interferes with eyesight. Moreover, when it comes to the first-class and second-class medical certificates, your distant vision must be 20/20 in each eye, and both near and intermediate vision must be at least 20/40 in each eye. The near vision must be measured at 16 inches. If you're age 50 or older, you must possess at least 20/40 vision at 32 inches, as well. This ensures intermediate vision is adequate for looking at cockpit flight instruments. Pilots also must have a normal field of vision to earn a first- or second-class medical certificate. Hope this helpful.

[Tracy]

The standards vary from country to country so If in any doubt, you should contact an Authorised Medical Examiner (AME) in the country that you anticipate completing your flight training in.The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority state the following: An applicant may be assessed as fit with hypermetropia not exceeding +5.0 dioptres, myopia not exceeding -6.0 dioptres, astigmatism not exceeding 2.0 dioptres, and anisometropia not exceeding 2.0 dioptres, provided that optimal correction has been considered and no significant pathology is demonstrated. Monocular visual acuities should be 6/6 or better. Distant visual acuity, with or without correction, shall be 6/9 or better monocularly, and 6/6 or better binocularly. Initial applicants who do not meet these requirements in should be referred to the licensing authority. A fit assessment may be considered following review by an ophthalmologist.You will require a comprehensive ophthalmological examination on your initial assessment then every 5 years up to your 40th Birthday and then every 2 years.