Strabismus and private license

I want to become a private pilot but have not had my medical exam yet.
I have a very slight strabismus (crossed eye) that manifests from
time to time. It is so slight my doctor does not recommend any
treatment. Will this keep me from getting a medical certificate?
Please email replies to

On 12 Apr 2004 07:19:06 -0700, (DL) wrote:

I want to become a private pilot but have not had my medical exam yet.
I have a very slight strabismus (crossed eye) that manifests from
time to time. It is so slight my doctor does not recommend any
treatment. Will this keep me from getting a medical certificate?
Please email replies to

Not a doctor, but I doubt it.

Also if getting a standard medical fails, you can attempt to get a
SODA (statement of demonstrated ability) which basically means that
you can demonstrate the ability to do the tasks required to fly a
plane. I've heard SODAs are hard to get, but have no personal
experience.

-Nathan

I've heard SODAs are hard to get, but have no personal
experience.

Not at all!
SODA aren't hard to get. There is a guideline that a person must complete to
pass the SODA. For example, color-blinded person must pass light-gun test.
There are guidelines for various condition such as deafness, amputed leg or
arm, and many others. I have no idea about stabismus condition. Assuming
that it does not affect your driving ability, it is safe to assume that you
will pass SODA if they ask you to take. You probably will perform few tasks
such as turning, climbing, possibly under hood work, etc. Nothing that will
make you sweat.
Toks Desalu

DL wrote:

I want to become a private pilot but have not had my medical exam yet.
I have a very slight strabismus (crossed eye) that manifests from
time to time. It is so slight my doctor does not recommend any
treatment.

Hi DL,

Should not cause a problem. I have no depth perception due to my past
history of strabismus, that I had surgically corrected about 15 years
ago.

Medical Examiner had to make a call to the FAA to see if the depth
perception problem I have would prevent me from flying. FAA said as
long as I don't have double vision or any problems driving a car, flying
would be fine.

Allen

Yay! :-)

Thanks, future brothers of the air...

A Lieberman wrote in message ...
DL wrote:

I want to become a private pilot but have not had my medical exam yet.
I have a very slight strabismus (crossed eye) that manifests from
time to time. It is so slight my doctor does not recommend any
treatment.

Hi DL,

Should not cause a problem. I have no depth perception due to my past
history of strabismus, that I had surgically corrected about 15 years
ago.

Medical Examiner had to make a call to the FAA to see if the depth
perception problem I have would prevent me from flying. FAA said as
long as I don't have double vision or any problems driving a car, flying
would be fine.

Allen

I want to become a private pilot but have not had my medical exam yet.
I have a very slight strabismus (crossed eye) that manifests from
time to time. It is so slight my doctor does not recommend any
treatment. Will this keep me from getting a medical certificate?

I shouldn't think so. I have a pilot cert and a current medical cert,
and I am effectively blind in my left eye. (I do have peripheral
vision.)

Please email replies to

Sorry. I don't do that. (In fact, I can't do that. Never set my
newsreader up to do email.)


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

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