Pilot does not meet distance vision requirements. Monofocal spectacles (or contact lenses)

required to meet distance (intermediate and near standards). Pilot is required to carry a spare set

Pilot requires multifocal spectacle correction to meet distance, intermediate and near requirements

(as a separate prescription strength is required for different distances). Pilot is required to carry a

spare set of similarly correcting spectacles. This would generally replace a VDL limitation at the

onset of presbyopia.

pathology of the cornea such as keratoconus. Spare spectacles should be available but not used

as the primary correction. Most pilots who habitually use contact lenses will also meet vision

requirements with spectacles. They do not require this limitation and can use instead a VDL or

by an eye specialist every 5 years or 2 years depending on prescription.

An RXO limitation is not required for those applicants considered to have a high refraction unless

there is also associated eye pathology which requires specialist ophthalmological examination.

The periodicity of eye specialist review for those with high refraction can be determined on

The RXO limitation is added to a Class 1 medical certificate by a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

(in consultation with the CAA guidance material and / or a CAA medical assessor). It is used in

cases of complex eye conditions or where there are concerns of potentially progressive ocular

pathology which could impact on flight safety. The periodicity of the specialist ophthalmological

spectacles (or contact lenses) required to meet distance, intermediate and near standards.

Controller is required to carry a spare set of similarly correcting spectacles. Spectacles must not

be removed for intermediate / near tasks.

ATCO has unaided vision within distance requirements but requires correction for near (+/-

intermediate) due to presbyopia. Note that a second pair also required. Look over (1/2 eyes)

frames normally required but full frame single vision near correction may be acceptable for radar

only controllers.

Would apply where distance standards are not met but intermediate and near standards are met

without correction (as would be the case for radar only controllers). ATCO would need to wear

spectacles if operating in a tower environment.

Would only apply for an ATCO working in a radar only environment whose distance vision does

not meet requirements uncorrected but who meets intermediate standards without correction but

would need correction to meet near standards. This would apply to a small group of presbyopic

and mildly myopic controllers (approximately -1.00D right and left with a near add approximately

+2.00D or more). In this scenario, 2 pairs of look over or full frame near spectacles must be

pathology of the cornea such as keratoconus. Spare spectacles should be available but not used

as the primary correction.

Most ATCOs who habitually use contact lenses will also meet vision requirements with spectacles.

They do not require this limitation and can use instead a VDL or VML as appropriate. See note

below regarding contact lenses.

The limitation code for RXO is stated in AMC2 ATCO.MED.B.001 as “Specialist ophthalmological

examination(s), other than the examinations stipulated in Part-ATCO.MED, are required for a

significant reason”.

The RXO limitation can be added to a Class 3 medical certificate by the AM (in consultation with

the CAA guidance material and / or a CAA medical assessor). It is used in cases of complex eye

conditions or where there are concerns of potentially progressive ocular pathology which could

impact on flight safety. The periodicity of the specialist ophthalmological examinations is normally

one or two yearly but is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Same limitations apply as for Class 1 and 2 above.

This limitation should be used for all UK crew who require visual correction, including contact lens

pair of glasses must also be available. If the pilot / ATCO is presbyopic, then a VNL limitation

should also be applied, 2 pairs of reading correction spectacles must be carried together with a

pair of back-up multifocal spectacles.