Binocular multifocal and accommodating devices
What the FAA's documents say about binocular multifocal and accommodating devices, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: Bifocal or multifocal contact lenses
What the protocol's list says, and its last line.Among what the protocol says contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) require are one month of use minimum for adaptation and meeting visual acuity standards. Its last line reads AME can issue.
The list
- One month of use minimum for adaptation
- Must meet visual acuity standards
Its last line
- AME can issue
Show the FAA's words: Bifocal or multifocal contact lenses
Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) requires:
One month of use minimum for adaptation
FAA source: Binocular Multifocal and Accommodating Devices. FAA date 29 April 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) requires:
Must meet visual acuity standards
FAA source: Binocular Multifocal and Accommodating Devices. FAA date 29 April 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) requires:
Current Detailed Clinical Progress Note from the eye doctor verifying visual acuity stable, and no significant side effects. AME can issue
FAA source: Binocular Multifocal and Accommodating Devices. FAA date 29 April 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: The eye doctor's progress note
A current detailed clinical progress note.A current detailed clinical progress note from the eye doctor.
Verifying
- Visual acuity stable
- No significant side effects
Show the FAA's words: The eye doctor's progress note
Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) requires:
Current Detailed Clinical Progress Note from the eye doctor verifying visual acuity stable, and no significant side effects.
FAA source: Binocular Multifocal and Accommodating Devices. FAA date 29 April 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: The visual acuity standards
The protocol's table, by class.The protocol's table gives the visual acuity standards for first or second class and for third class.
Visual Acuity Standards
- Distant vision
- 20/20 for first or second class; 20/40 for third class
- Near vision, measured at 16 inches
- 20/40 for first or second class; 20/40 for third class
- Intermediate vision, measured at 32 inches, age 50 and over only
- 20/40 for first or second class; no requirement for third class
Show the FAA's words: The visual acuity standards
Visual Acuity Standards Distant, Near or Intermediate Vision First or Second Class Third Class Distant Vision 20/20 20/40 Near Vision Measured at 16 inches 20/40 20/40 Intermediate Vision Measured at 32 inches; Age 50 and over only 20/40 No requirement
FAA source: Binocular Multifocal and Accommodating Devices. FAA date 29 April 2026; 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.
The list is for contact lenses
The protocol's list is headed contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal). The protocol's title, as Crosscheck registers it, also names accommodating devices; the protocol's own text does not mention them.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) requires:
Intermediate vision is for age 50 and over
The table gives intermediate vision, measured at 32 inches, for age 50 and over only: 20/40 for first or second class, and no requirement for third class.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
Intermediate Vision Measured at 32 inches; Age 50 and over only 20/40 No requirement
One month of use first
The protocol's list for contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) begins with one month of use minimum for adaptation.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) requires: … One month of use minimum for adaptation
The page points to a lens implant summary
The protocol opens by pointing to the FAA's Lens Implant Status Summary, a PDF. Crosscheck's page does not draw on that summary.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 5
See Lens Implant Status Summary ( PDF )
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.