Do You Need Perfect Vision to Become a Pilot?
When people ask, “Do I need perfect eyesight to become a pilot?”, what they usually mean is whether uncorrected, natural 20/20 vision is a must. The good news is, it’s not. You don’t need flawless eyesight - you just need to meet the FAA’s vision standards, either naturally or with glasses or contacts. That’s one of the most common questions future students bring up at Pelican Flight School.
Before we get into FAA rules, let’s clear up what 20/20 actually means.
What Is 20/20 Vision?
20/20 is a way of measuring distance visual acuity - basically, how clearly you can see something that’s 20 feet away. But having 20/20 doesn’t mean your vision is “perfect.” It simply means you hit a benchmark that’s considered normal. And under FAA medical rules, it’s perfectly fine to reach that level with prescription lenses.
If you’re applying for a pilot certificate - whether it’s for private flying or to build a career as a professional aviator - you’ll need to pass an FAA vision exam as part of your medical clearance.
Here’s what the FAA requires:
Distance vision (each eye): 20/20 or better (correction allowed)
Near vision (at 16 inches): 20/40 or better (correction allowed)
Intermediate vision (age 50+): 20/40 or better (correction allowed)
These rules apply across the board - from private pilot certificates to airline transport licenses. Your vision doesn’t have to be naturally perfect; it just has to meet the FAA’s standard with correction if needed.
Standard Vision vs. Naturally Perfect Eyesight
There’s an important distinction between “perfect” eyes and the level of vision required for pilot certification. The FAA isn’t asking for superhuman vision - it’s focused on safe, functional eyesight that lets you do the job reliably.
You can still qualify to fly even if you have:
Nearsightedness or farsightedness
Age‑related reading difficulties
Mild astigmatism
Eyes that don’t meet the standard without correction
As long as your near and distance vision can be corrected to the required levels, you’re good to go. In other words, even if your eyesight isn’t naturally perfect, you’re still eligible as long as it can be corrected.
FAA medical examiners care about whether you can operate an aircraft safely - not whether you have superhero vision.
FAA Vision Standards
If you’re aiming to become a civilian professional pilot, one of the first things you’ll wonder is whether your eyesight meets federal aviation requirements. A lot of people assume you need “perfect vision” to qualify, but the truth is much more approachable.
FAA Medical Requirements: What the Rules Actually Say
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets different vision standards depending on the medical class of your pilot certificate. These rules are part of the FAA’s medical certification process - meant to ensure safe flying, not perfect eyesight.
Here’s how the near and distant vision standards break down across the three main medical classes:
First Class (ATP)
Distance vision (each eye): 20/20
Near vision (16"): 20/40
Intermediate (age 50+): 20/40
Correction allowed: Yes
Second Class
Distance vision (each eye): 20/20
Near vision (16"): 20/40
Intermediate (age 50+): 20/40
Correction allowed: Yes
Third Class
Distance vision (each eye): 20/40
Near vision (16"): 20/40
Intermediate (age 50+): 20/40
Correction allowed: Yes
What does this mean for you? You can wear glasses or contacts and still qualify - as long as your vision meets FAA standards once corrected. The FAA doesn’t require naturally perfect eyesight, only correctable clarity.
Are Glasses or Contacts a Problem?
Not at all. In fact, plenty of pilots - including commercial airline captains - depend on prescription lenses. What matters is that you can see well enough to meet the FAA standard for both near and distant vision.
If your medical certificate relies on correction, you’ll also be required to carry an extra pair of glasses or contacts on every flight. This isn’t optional - it’s a listed limitation on your medical.
Color Vision Counts Too
FAA exams also include a color vision test. That’s because recognizing runway lights, instrument panels, and warning indicators often depends on color coding.
If you don’t pass the basic screening, you may still qualify by completing an Operational Color Vision Test (OCVT). This gives pilots with certain color perception differences another path to certification.
The Takeaway for Future Pilots
You don’t need flawless eyesight - only vision that can be corrected to FAA standards.
Training and flying with prescription lenses is completely normal.
If you’re over 50, you’ll also need to meet the intermediate vision standard.
FAA rules are designed to keep flying safe - not to exclude qualified pilots.
In short: you don’t need to be born with perfect eyes to become a professional pilot. You just need eyesight that can be brought up to the FAA’s requirements with the help of glasses or contacts.
What If You Have Poor Vision?
A lot of future pilots worry they’ll get turned away if their eyesight isn’t perfect. Here’s the reality: less‑than‑perfect vision doesn’t automatically disqualify you. What matters is whether your sight - with correction - is good enough to safely handle flight duties.
As long as you can meet the FAA’s medical standards using prescription glasses or contacts, you’re still eligible to fly.
What the FAA Really Cares About
It’s not about having flawless eyes - it’s about bringing your vision up to standard. You could be nearsighted, farsighted, have astigmatism, or just need reading glasses as you age. What counts is that your eyesight can be corrected to meet FAA pilot requirements.
If you’re pursuing a:
Private pilot certificate
Commercial pilot license
Certified flight instructor rating
Or another professional pilot credential
…you’ll need to show that your corrected vision meets the following:
20/20 distance vision (each eye)
20/40 near and intermediate vision
Functional color perception (depending on the role)
What If My Vision Can’t Be Corrected?
Most vision issues can be managed with glasses or contacts, but there are exceptions. The FAA may require extra review from an aviation medical examiner (AME) if:
Your vision doesn’t correct to the minimum standard
You have a progressive eye condition like glaucoma or retinal disease
You’ve had surgery with lingering side effects affecting clarity or depth
In these cases, the FAA might ask for additional testing or issue a special issuance - basically, a temporary medical that lets you fly while under review.
Can Eyesight Change Over Time?
Of course. Nearly everyone experiences some changes in vision with age - that’s normal. The important part is that your corrected results stay within FAA limits. If your prescription shifts, no problem - just update your lenses and keep your medical certificate current.
Sometimes you may need a specialist evaluation before renewing, but that’s standard procedure, not a warning sign.
Bottom Line
You don’t need to be born with flawless eyesight. You just need to meet the standards safely. Whether it’s through glasses, updated prescriptions, or surgery, the FAA takes a practical approach.
In the FAA’s own words: “As long as your eyesight can be corrected to the required standard, you can qualify.”
Glasses, Contacts, and LASIK: What’s Allowed in the Cockpit?
Think pilots can’t wear corrective lenses? Think again. Under FAA rules, not only is it allowed - in many cases, it’s required.
Plenty of active pilots - from student flyers to seasoned airline captains - use some kind of vision correction. For many trainees, contacts or glasses are part of the journey from day one.
Required to Wear Corrective Lenses?
Yes. If your natural eyesight doesn’t meet FAA minimums, you must wear glasses or contacts while flying. This rule applies at every certification level, from sport pilot all the way up to commercial airline.
And if you rely on correction to pass your medical, you’ll also need to:
Wear those lenses every time you fly
Carry a backup pair in the cockpit
This isn’t just advice - it’s written directly on your medical certificate. You’ll usually see something like:
“Must wear corrective lenses”
“Must have glasses available”
This isn’t just for older pilots either. Reading glasses with age are completely normal, and the FAA expects and allows for that.
Are Contacts Allowed?
Absolutely. In fact, many pilots prefer contacts because they offer a wider field of view without frames in the way.
But there’s one catch: you must still carry glasses as a backup in case your contacts dry out or fail mid‑flight.
One important restriction: monovision correction isn’t allowed. The FAA requires clear vision in each eye separately. Splitting one eye for distance and the other for near isn’t permitted.
What About LASIK or PRK?
If you’ve had laser eye surgery, the FAA doesn’t penalize you. In fact, plenty of pilots choose LASIK or PRK. The only requirement is that your post‑surgery vision stabilizes and meets FAA standards.
You may have to wait a short period after surgery before flying again, but once cleared by your AME, you’re back in the cockpit - usually without the need for glasses unless your vision shifts in the future.
So far we’ve looked at civilian rules. But what if your goal is a military cockpit?
Commercial vs. Military Vision Requirements
A lot of future pilots get the idea that you need flawless eyesight from one place: the military. But here’s the truth - military and civilian programs follow very different vision standards.
Let’s clear up the confusion so you can see which path fits both your goals and your eyesight.
Civilian Pilots: What the FAA Requires
If your aim is to get a private pilot license, instruct students, or pursue a commercial pilot career, you’ll be following the Federal Aviation Administration’s standards. And the good news is - they’re much more flexible than most people expect.
The FAA allows glasses, contact lenses, or LASIK - as long as your vision can be corrected to the minimum requirements:
20/20 distance vision (each eye)
20/40 near and intermediate vision
Correction in each eye individually, not just together
In other words, FAA rules demand clarity, not perfection.
This flexibility means you can:
Complete training in a civilian program
Work as a commercial or charter pilot
Instruct students once you’ve logged enough time
Build a long-term aviation career
And yes, most civilian pilots fly with corrected vision.
Military Aviation. Stricter Standards
If you’re aiming for a military cockpit - whether Air Force, Navy, or Marines - the bar is higher. Uncorrected vision is often non‑negotiable, especially for fighter and fast‑jet tracks.
Some branches may allow LASIK or PRK, but only if:
Your vision remains stable afterward
You pass advanced performance tests
You show no side effects like halos, glare, or reduced contrast
Even then, a history of surgery or reliance on correction can be disqualifying.
Military programs also check for more precise color recognition and stereo vision. Their training pipeline prepares pilots for high G‑forces, combat, and tactical response - so they screen accordingly.
Which Path Fits You Best?
If your eyesight already requires correction - or you know you don’t meet uncorrected military standards - civilian aviation still offers wide‑open opportunities:
Fly commercially at home or abroad
Build hours as a flight instructor
Eventually captain an airline jet
Bottom line: if you’re healthy, determined, and can meet FAA standards with correction, you can thrive in civilian aviation.
What If Your Vision Changes While Flying?
Eyesight naturally shifts with age, and the FAA knows this. A change in vision doesn’t end your career - what matters is keeping your corrected vision within FAA standards.
Regular Check‑ups
FAA medical certificates must be renewed periodically, and that includes eye exams. If your vision changes slightly, your AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) may just note the update, confirm you still meet standards with correction, and you keep flying.
Most pilots simply adjust their prescription and move on.
Falling Below Standard Temporarily
If your corrected vision drops below FAA minimums, your AME may issue a temporary deferral. That doesn’t revoke your license - it just means the FAA needs more information.
You may be asked for:
A new prescription
An evaluation from an eye specialist
Proof your vision has stabilized (often after surgery)
Once you’re back within limits, your medical certificate can be reinstated.
Long‑Term Changes and Aging Eyes
Vision changes gradually over time. For example:
After 40, many pilots notice near vision getting weaker.
After 50, the FAA adds an intermediate vision check (important for reading cockpit screens at arm’s length).
That’s why bifocals and progressive lenses are common in the cockpit - and completely acceptable.
Even more serious issues like cataracts can often be treated surgically, allowing pilots to return to the skies once their eyesight is corrected to standard.
The FAA’s Approach
The FAA isn’t out to ground pilots unnecessarily. Their goal is safety, not perfection. If your eyesight shifts, they’ll work with you and your AME to keep you qualified whenever possible.
Final Thoughts. Don’t Let Glasses Hold You Back
If you’ve been hesitating on your dream of flying because you don’t have “perfect vision,” it’s time to put that fear aside.
The truth is simple: you don’t need flawless eyesight to be a pilot - you need correctable eyesight that meets FAA standards. Whether you wear glasses, use contacts, or had LASIK, aviation is still wide open to you.
At every step - from private pilot training to commercial airline captain - the FAA sets clear, reasonable, and inclusive rules. They’re not looking for superhuman vision. They’re looking for safe, capable pilots.
So if you:
Already wear corrective lenses,
Expect your eyesight to change with age,
Or have had eye surgery…
…none of that is a dealbreaker.
What defines your career isn’t your prescription - it’s your training, commitment, and passion for aviation.
FAQ
Do I need 20/20 vision to be a pilot?
Not exactly. You don’t have to be born with 20/20 vision - but your eyesight must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye for distance. The FAA cares about how well you see with correction, not whether your vision is “perfect” without glasses.
Can I be a pilot if I wear glasses?
Yes - absolutely. Glasses are not just allowed, they’re common in both general and commercial aviation. Many airline captains wear them every day. Just remember: if you need glasses to meet FAA standards, you’re required to bring a spare pair in the cockpit.
What about contact lenses?
Contacts are perfectly fine, and many pilots actually prefer them for comfort and a wider field of view. The same rule applies, though: your vision must be fully corrected, and you still need to carry a backup pair of glasses in case your contacts fail mid‑flight.
Can I fly if I’ve had LASIK or PRK?
Yes. The FAA accepts both LASIK and PRK as long as:
Your vision has stabilized after surgery.
You don’t have side effects like glare, halos, or night‑vision problems.
You can meet the FAA’s vision standards without further correction.
Plenty of professional pilots choose laser eye surgery, and there are no permanent restrictions once you’re cleared.
What if I’m colorblind?
Color vision matters in aviation for spotting signal lights, reading cockpit displays, and interpreting navigation indicators. If you don’t pass the basic color test, you may still qualify by completing an Operational Color Vision Test (OCVT) or another FAA‑approved alternative.
Can I become an airline pilot if I have poor vision?
Yes - as long as your eyesight can be corrected to FAA standards with glasses or contacts, you’re eligible. Having poor natural vision alone isn’t disqualifying. The only real concerns are uncorrectable conditions or progressive diseases, which is why every pilot must complete an FAA medical exam before professional training.
If you’re ready to start training, Pelican Flight School can help you meet all FAA requirements and get in the cockpit.
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