Conductive keratoplasty (CK)
What the FAA's documents say about conductive keratoplasty (CK), in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Conductive Keratoplasty
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The criteria for initial certification
Six months post procedure, a medical flight test that may be necessary, and annual followup.Among the criteria necessary for initial certification, the protocol lists these three.
After the procedure
- The airman is not qualified for six months post procedure
A medical flight test
- May be necessary (consult with the FAA)
Annual followup
- By the surgical eye specialist
Show the FAA's words: The criteria for initial certification
The following criteria are necessary for initial certification:
The airman is not qualified for six months post procedure
FAA source: Conductive Keratoplasty. FAA date 27 December 2016; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
The following criteria are necessary for initial certification:
A medical flight test may be necessary (consult with the FAA )
FAA source: Conductive Keratoplasty. FAA date 27 December 2016; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
The following criteria are necessary for initial certification:
Annual followup by the surgical eye specialist
FAA source: Conductive Keratoplasty. FAA date 27 December 2016; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: What the protocol lists to provide
Medical records, a status report and FAA Form 8500-7.Medical records related to the procedure
All medical records related to the procedure.
Status report from the surgical eye specialist
A current status report by the surgical eye specialist.
With special note regarding
- Complications of the procedure or the acquired monocularity, or vision complaints by the airman
FAA Form 8500-7, Report of Eye Evaluation
A current FAA Form 8500-7, Report of Eye Evaluation.
Show the FAA's words: What the protocol lists to provide
The following criteria are necessary for initial certification:
The airman must provide all medical records related to the procedure
FAA source: Conductive Keratoplasty. FAA date 27 December 2016; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
The following criteria are necessary for initial certification:
A current status report by the surgical eye specialist with special note regarding complications of the procedure or the acquired monocularity, or vision complaints by the airman
FAA source: Conductive Keratoplasty. FAA date 27 December 2016; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
The following criteria are necessary for initial certification:
A current FAA Form 8500-7 , Report of Eye Evaluation
FAA source: Conductive Keratoplasty. FAA date 27 December 2016; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: Review by the FAA
Special Issuance, after review by the FAA.The protocol says conductive keratoplasty is acceptable for aeromedical certification, with Special Issuance, after review by the FAA.
Show the FAA's words: Review by the FAA
Conductive Keratoplasty ( CK ) is a refractive surgery procedure. It is acceptable for aeromedical certification, with Special Issuance, after review by the FAA .
FAA source: Conductive Keratoplasty. FAA date 27 December 2016; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Good to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
Six months after the procedure
The protocol says the airman is not qualified for six months post procedure.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
The airman is not qualified for six months post procedure
The list is for initial certification
The protocol's list is headed criteria necessary for initial certification, and its last line is annual followup by the surgical eye specialist. It does not list what is provided at later exams.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
The following criteria are necessary for initial certification: … Annual followup by the surgical eye specialist
What the status report notes
The protocol asks for special note regarding complications of the procedure or the acquired monocularity, or vision complaints by the airman. It does not say more about the acquired monocularity, and this page quotes the line whole.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
A current status report by the surgical eye specialist with special note regarding complications of the procedure or the acquired monocularity, or vision complaints by the airman
A medical flight test may be necessary
The protocol says a medical flight test may be necessary, and says in brackets to consult with the FAA. It does not say who consults.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 5
A medical flight test may be necessary (consult with the FAA )
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.