Optic neuritis
What the FAA's documents say about optic neuritis, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
OPTIC NEURITIS All Classes
Short version
The FAA's table has one row for it.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAny history of optic neuritis | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Optic neuritis
- Row A · Special Issuance
Any history of optic neuritis, single or multiple episodes, resolved or currently being treated. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Block 60.
A. Any history of optic neuritis (single or multiple episodes; resolved or currently being treated) … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
The FAA pathways for optic neuritis
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The eye specialist's progress note
From your treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist.Progress note
Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed progress note from your treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist (preferred), no more than 90 days before the exam.
It must include
- A detailed summary of the history of the condition
- Current medications, dosage, and side effects, if any
- Physical exam findings
- Results of any testing performed
- Diagnosis
- Assessment and plan
- Prognosis
- Follow-up
Visual acuity
- Best corrected visual acuity for distant and near vision
- Intermediate too, if age 50 or older and First or Second Class
- If vision standards are not met, that should be discussed
- Whether the visual acuity is expected to change
Items your physician specifically addresses
The table's second item: items your physician specifically addresses.
It must specifically include
- The date treatment completed, or if any ongoing treatment or surveillance recommended
- If the condition has resolved
- The underlying cause, if identified
- Is the presentation consistent with typical or atypical
- Are there any symptoms, current problems, or remaining abnormalities which could interfere with flight or ATCS duties
Show the FAA's words: The eye specialist's progress note
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist (preferred) no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
It must include: • A detailed summary of the history of the condition; • Current medications, dosage, and side effects (if any); • Physical exam findings; • Results of any testing performed; • Diagnosis; • Assessment and plan; • Prognosis; and Follow-up.
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
3. The Clinical Progress Note must specifically include the best corrected visual acuity for distant and near vision (intermediate - if age 50 or older and First or Second Class). If vision standards are not met, that should be discussed. Include if the visual acuity is expected to change.
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
2. It must specifically include: • Date treatment completed or if any ongoing treatment or surveillance recommended; • If the condition has resolved; • Underlying cause if identified; • Is the presentation consistent with typical or atypical; • Are there any symptoms, current problems, or remaining abnormalities which could interfere with flight or ATCS duties
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
“IT MUST SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE” If this language is in your letter, it is to highlight SPECIFIC items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note). Make sure your physician addresses these specific items important for medical certification or clearance.
FAA source: Pilot Information – What a Detailed Clinical Progress Note must contain. FAA date 25 September 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Eye tests and imaging
Visual fields, color vision, an MRI, and copies of any testing.Visual field testing (30-2 or 24-2)
Within 90 days before the examVisual field testing (30-2 or 24-2), no more than 90 days before the exam.
Color vision testing
Within 90 days before the examColor vision testing for each eye separately, with an FAA acceptable computer-based color vision test, within 90 days before the exam.
The test
- Each eye separately
- Particular attention to red desaturation
MRI of the brain and orbits
An MRI of the brain and orbits with and without contrast, for demyelinating disease.
Copies of any testing performed
Copies of any testing performed, such as visual fields.
Show the FAA's words: Eye tests and imaging
4. Visual field testing (30-2 or 24-2) performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
7. Color vision testing must be performed for each eye separately using an FAA acceptable computer-based color vision test, within 90 days prior to the AME exam. Pay particular attention to red desaturation. One-time screening is not sufficient; repeated testing is required, as optic neuritis can affect color vision over time.
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
5. MRI of the brain and orbits with and without contrast for demyelinating disease.
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
8. Copies of any testing performed (visual fields, etc.)
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: The neurological evaluation
From your treating neurologist.Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with your treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
Show the FAA's words: The neurological evaluation
6. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for
Neurologic Evaluation generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
FAA source: Optic Neuritis Disposition Table. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
Row ADefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Block 60.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Special Issuance
Any history of optic neuritis, single or multiple episodes, resolved or currently being treated. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Block 60.
A. Any history of optic neuritis (single or multiple episodes; resolved or currently being treated) … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks its one row, any history of optic neuritis, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with the treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist (preferred) no more than 90 days prior to the exam, with what the table says it must include.
- Item 2. Items the physician specifically addresses, as the table's second item lists them. The FAA's progress-note sheet says that when a letter uses the words "it must specifically include", they highlight specific items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note) for the physician to address.
- Item 3. The clinical progress note's best corrected visual acuity for distant and near vision, and intermediate if age 50 or older and First or Second Class. If vision standards are not met, that should be discussed, and the note includes whether the visual acuity is expected to change.
- Item 4. Visual field testing (30-2 or 24-2) performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam.
- Item 5. An MRI of the brain and orbits with and without contrast for demyelinating disease.
- Item 6. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
- Item 7. Color vision testing for each eye separately, using an FAA acceptable computer-based color vision test, within 90 days prior to the exam, paying particular attention to red desaturation. One-time screening is not sufficient; repeated testing is required, as optic neuritis can affect color vision over time.
- Item 8. Copies of any testing performed (visual fields, etc.).
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks its one row, any history of optic neuritis, DEFER.
A. Any history of optic neuritis (single or multiple episodes; resolved or currently being treated) … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with the treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist (preferred) no more than 90 days prior to the exam, with what the table says it must include.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist (preferred) no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. It must include:
- Item 2
Items the physician specifically addresses, as the table's second item lists them. The FAA's progress-note sheet says that when a letter uses the words "it must specifically include", they highlight specific items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note) for the physician to address.
2. It must specifically include:
“IT MUST SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE” If this language is in your letter, it is to highlight SPECIFIC items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note). Make sure your physician addresses these specific items important for medical certification or clearance.
- Item 3
The clinical progress note's best corrected visual acuity for distant and near vision, and intermediate if age 50 or older and First or Second Class. If vision standards are not met, that should be discussed, and the note includes whether the visual acuity is expected to change.
3. The Clinical Progress Note must specifically include the best corrected visual acuity for distant and near vision (intermediate - if age 50 or older and First or Second Class). If vision standards are not met, that should be discussed. Include if the visual acuity is expected to change.
- Item 4
Visual field testing (30-2 or 24-2) performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam.
4. Visual field testing (30-2 or 24-2) performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
- Item 5
An MRI of the brain and orbits with and without contrast for demyelinating disease.
5. MRI of the brain and orbits with and without contrast for demyelinating disease.
- Item 6
A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
6. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for … Neurologic Evaluation generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
- Item 7
Color vision testing for each eye separately, using an FAA acceptable computer-based color vision test, within 90 days prior to the exam, paying particular attention to red desaturation. One-time screening is not sufficient; repeated testing is required, as optic neuritis can affect color vision over time.
7. Color vision testing must be performed for each eye separately using an FAA acceptable computer-based color vision test, within 90 days prior to the AME exam. Pay particular attention to red desaturation. One-time screening is not sufficient; repeated testing is required, as optic neuritis can affect color vision over time.
- Item 8
Copies of any testing performed (visual fields, etc.).
8. Copies of any testing performed (visual fields, etc.)
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workGood 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 row covers resolved episodes too
The table's one row is any history of optic neuritis, single or multiple episodes, resolved or currently being treated, and it is marked DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
A. Any history of optic neuritis (single or multiple episodes; resolved or currently being treated) … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
Color vision is tested more than once
The table says one-time screening is not sufficient and repeated testing is required, as optic neuritis can affect color vision over time. It does not say how many tests, or how far apart.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
One-time screening is not sufficient; repeated testing is required, as optic neuritis can affect color vision over time.
Two specialists
The table asks for a progress note from the treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist (preferred), and separately for a neurological evaluation from the treating neurologist, each from a clinic visit no more than 90 days before the exam.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating ophthalmologist or retinal specialist (preferred) no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. … Neurologic Evaluation generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
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.