Your visual accuity (20/200, etc) doesn't really matter. It's your degree of myopia plus your astigmatism that will matter, and it will read something like -3.50 -0.75, similar to a lens prescription. This is not a lens prescription, though, it is the refractive error due to your misshaped eyes, and it can only be determined while your eyes are dilated. When I took my flight physical, the standard you had to meet before the operation in order to qualify as SNA was -8.00 total, and then you needed to be 20/40 uncorrected after the surgery in order to qualify to be a pilot. I don't know if the -8.00 has changed, but with 20/200 vision I doubt that will be a problem for you anyway. There is also a separate standard regarding the amount of astigmatism you can have. I can break this down further for you if you need.
The Navy/Marines tend to have the most liberal (most advanced) vision standards, which has worked to my benefit and will likely work to yours. If I were you, what I would do now is come up with a game plan to get you where you want to be in 4-6 years, looking something like this:
1. Determine to the best of your ability whether or not you meet the current standards, which is what you are doing now, and good on your for it. Talk to an eye doc about whether or not you are a good candidate for PRK, but don't get it yet. You'll need to find out your refractive error with your eyes dilated.
2. Enroll in / get selected to NROTC, selecting a major appropriate for your skill level and study habits, and excel in everything while keeping your nose clean.
3. Once enrolled and underway, research PRK even further and compare your eyes with the most up to date Navy standards.
4. Get PRK only after you have some time under you belt in NROTC and have done the appropriate research. You have time, and the older you are, the less likely your eyes are to change after the surgery.
5. Once you have 20/15 superman vision, your good grades and good reputation around your unit will get you selected to be a student naval aviator.
Good luck!
The Navy/Marines tend to have the most liberal (most advanced) vision standards, which has worked to my benefit and will likely work to yours. If I were you, what I would do now is come up with a game plan to get you where you want to be in 4-6 years, looking something like this:
1. Determine to the best of your ability whether or not you meet the current standards, which is what you are doing now, and good on your for it. Talk to an eye doc about whether or not you are a good candidate for PRK, but don't get it yet. You'll need to find out your refractive error with your eyes dilated.
2. Enroll in / get selected to NROTC, selecting a major appropriate for your skill level and study habits, and excel in everything while keeping your nose clean.
3. Once enrolled and underway, research PRK even further and compare your eyes with the most up to date Navy standards.
4. Get PRK only after you have some time under you belt in NROTC and have done the appropriate research. You have time, and the older you are, the less likely your eyes are to change after the surgery.
5. Once you have 20/15 superman vision, your good grades and good reputation around your unit will get you selected to be a student naval aviator.
Good luck!
