Can You Be a Pilot If You Wear Glasses? You Need to Know

Visual impairment, whether associated with the need to correct your closeup or distance vision, can encompass a diverse variety of conditions that can impact someone’s capacity to see clearly at varying distances.

According to the Vision Council, more than 63% of individuals are visually impaired and, as a result, are required to wear glasses or contacts (or choose corrective surgery) to improve their vision. Given that significantly more than half the population is challenged by vision issues, it should come as no surprise to learn that a similar percentage of aspiring pilots would also wear glasses or contact lenses.

So, do you need a perfect vision to be a pilot? Or, said more accurately, is 20/20 vision mandated as a licensing requirement for a pilot in the United States? The short answer is yes; pilots are required to have 20/20 vision. However, do not be misled by the answer to what is essentially an incomplete question.

What you really need to ask is – Can you be a pilot with glasses? Yes, however, the regulations and criteria change based on the type of FAA license you seek to obtain, which is further explained below.

Pilot Vision Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets forth the rules that pilots must undergo a comprehensive medical exam, which includes a complete vision test by an Aviation Medical Examiner to get an FAA Medical Certificate. So, if you wear glasses, can you be a pilot? – is a fair question when one considers –

• The myths and misconceptions that circulate about an issue may erroneously impact the career decisions of many people.
• Pilots are required to have precise visual acuity – at near, intermediate, and far distances to navigate –
• • The controls in the cockpit.
  • Blind spots.
  • Areas of low visibility.
  • Open areas using reduced visual references, etc.

How Is Visual Acuity Tested?

Can you be a pilot and wear glasses? Yes, after your eyes and eyesight have passed the criteria set forth by the licensing governing bodies.

The Snellen eye chart – the one in which rows of letters become progressively smaller, measures how well someone can see without a visual aid. Other vision skills evaluated include depth perception, peripheral awareness, eye coordination, and color vision.

According to the FAA, the eyesight requirements for a pilot depend on the type of medical certificate issued –

FAA Pilot Certificates

The vision requirements for a pilot’s license depend on the type of license you seek to obtain –

Airline Transport Pilot License/Certificate – The Airline Transport Pilot is the highest-level certificate issued and requires a first-class medical certificate as defined in 14 CFR 67.103(e).

Commercial Pilot License/Certificate – This Commercial Pilot certificate is the initial certificate that permits a pilot to get paid for their flying services. The Commercial Pilot certificate/license requires a second-class medical certificate as defined in 14 CFR 67.203(e). Note that the vision acuity requirements for both a commercial and airline transport pilot are the same and shown below –

• A 20/20 distant visual acuity is measured in each eye separately. This can be done with/without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (eyeglasses/contact lenses) are necessary for 20/20 vision, the individual may be eligible only if the corrective lenses/contacts are worn while exercising the privileges set forth by holding a pilot certificate.
• Near vision of 20/40 or better equal to Snellen, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with/without corrective lenses. If the licensee is aged 50+, other criteria exist – with/without corrective lenses.
• The capacity to perceive the colors required to perform the duties of a licensed pilot safely.
• A normal field of vision, among others.

Private Pilot License/Certificate – This certificate is the most basic and popular because it is required for any pilot who would like to fly professionally as a career. The Private Pilot certificate/license requires a third-class medical certificate as defined in 14 CFR 67.303(d)

• A 20/20 distant visual acuity is measured in each eye separately. This can be done with/without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (eyeglasses/contact lenses) are necessary for 20/20 vision, the individual may be eligible only if the corrective lenses/contacts are worn while exercising the privileges set forth by holding a pilot certificate.
• Near vision of at least 20/40, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches as measured in each eye separately, with/without corrective lenses.
• The capacity to perceive the colors required to perform the duties of a licensed pilot safely.

Plus, licenses for students, sports, and recreational purposes.

How to Become a Pilot

Now that you know the answer to the question – if you wear glasses, can you be a pilot? If yes – it is just as important to know the steps to take to reach your lofty goal –

• Look/Research reputable flight schools or training programs that fit your budget, location, and schedule.
• Obtain a medical certificate after an exam by an aviation medical examiner.
  • • The type of medical certificate will depend on the level of pilot license you intend to pursue.
  • Begin your flight training – learn theoretical aspects of aviation while beginning flight lessons.
  • Earn your pilot licenses and ratings – Each pilot license has specific rules in terms of flight hours, written examinations, and practical testing.
  • Gain flight experience/hours.

If you wear glasses can you be a pilot? – The Takeaway

If you have dreamed of soaring through the clouds, but are one of the millions that require eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision, you now have the answer to a most important question – Can I wear glasses and be a pilot? Needing to wear contacts or glasses does not automatically disqualify you from earning a pilot license as long as your vision is correctable and can meet the defined standards.

In conclusion, you can finally break through the myths that incorrectly answer – Can you wear glasses and be a pilot and can pilots wear glasses when learning to fly? So, if you’ve always wanted a bird’s eye view of the world, don’t let the fact that you need corrective lenses or contact lenses hold you back – begin to follow your aviation dreams and goals today.