As I understand it, the 3rd class medical requires 20/40 in "each eye
separately".

No, one eye is all you need, all the way up to airline pilot. (Think
about this, next time you fly to Heathrow

Your medical will be marked something to the effect that it is good
for student privileges only. Then, before you take your check flight,
you must fly with an FAA examiner and demonstrate your ability to see.
He will then issue you a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability), and
(in a manner I can't seem to recall) your medical cert will be
upgraded.

(It will then probably say that you can fly only when wearing
corrective lenses.)

I have 20/25 corrected in my right eye, peripheral vision only in my
left eye.

all the best -- Dan Ford
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