AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2025 - 106

FLY WITH AOPA
MEDICAL LY SPEAKING /
Side effects
Color-blindness and medications
BY LARRY M. DIAMOND
IF YOU PL AN on going for your initial
medical certificate, or have a color-blindness
restriction be aware that certain
medications may affect your color-blindness
test. The risk of an acquired
color-vision deficiency is less than one
percent and is associated with medical
conditions or medications.
The retina in the back of the eye
contains two light-detecting cells called
photoreceptors. The photoreceptors
convert light into electrical signals sent
to the brain via the optic nerve. These
light-detecting cells are the rods and
cones. Rods are highly sensitive to light
and are responsible for night vision and
peripheral vision. Cones detect red,
green, and blue light. Red-sensing cones
make up about 60 percent of cones.
Green-sensing cones make up about
30 percent of cones, and blue-sensing
cones make up about 10 percent of
cones. People with protanopia cannot
perceive red light, those with deuteranopia
cannot perceive green light, and
those with tritanopia cannot perceive
blue light.
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106
AOPA PILOT / March 2025
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Color vision deficiency is inherited
and primarily seen in males. Females are
carriers of the color-blindness gene. Any
abnormalities of the retina, optic nerve,
and visual cortex in the brain can cause
defects in color vision. Diseases like diabetes,
glaucoma, and cataracts can alter
color vision.
Color-blindness in aviation is a significant
issue because of our reliance to
perceive red, green, and blue hues. Pilots
rely on identifying navigation lights, aircraft
position lights, airport beacons,
runway lights, taxiway markings, sectional
maps, and cockpit instruments
Medications that
affect color vision /
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Digoxin
Hydroxychloroquine
Tamoxifen
Alendronate (Fosamax)
that all contain green, red, and blue colors.
The inability to recognize these
colors could lead to misinterpretations
of visual objects, causing endangerment
to the pilot and passengers.
Starting January 1, 2025, digital testing
equipment is required for all initial
medical certificates and current colorblind
restrictions. If the color-blind
applicant with a night flying restriction
passes the digital test, the restriction
will be removed and will not have to
retest at future FAA medical exams.
Larry M. Diamond has a doctor of pharmacy
degree and has been a pharmacist for
37 years. He is a CFII and a pilot for more
than 33 years.
aopa.org/pps
AV I AT ION F INANCE
Q I am currently
AOPA PILOT
INFORMATION
CENTER HOURS
Do you have questions or
need information about an
aviation topic? Access the
team of aviation experts
in our Pilot Information
Center. Call 800-USAAOPA
(872-2672) Monday
through Friday, 8:30 a.m.
until 6 p.m. Eastern time,
with your questions.
Visit aopa.org/membership
to learn about upgrading to
levels of membership with
Pilot Protection Services
coverage included.
researching the feasibility of
buying an aircraft to lease
back to an FBO or flying
club. My corporation would
own the aircraft. Do you do
corporate loans to finance
aircraft?
A AOPA has lenders in
our syndicate that offer
financing for aircraft to be
used on leaseback to a flying
club. Terms will generally
be determined by the type
of aircraft and details of
the leaseback. A larger
down payment, typically 25
percent, will be required with
the additional usage.
aopafinance.com
800-62-PLANE (75263)

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AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2025