I am new here but I have read a lot of threads about the eyesight issue and I am very confused. I am going to PLC-C 195 as a ground contract and I know it is possible to switch to air. However, my eyesight is 20/60 in my right and 20/200 in my left so I currently wear contacts. Do I have to get PRK before I can get an air contract or am I going to be stuck with my ground due to my poor vision? Thanks a lot!
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Another eyesight question...
- Thread starter twalton
- Start date
mxracer19
Hanging out in K-Vegas.
I looked into this quite a bit as I'll most likely find myself in the same situation shortly. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is my understanding...
SNFO applicant qualifications are, I believe, 20/200 correctable to 20/20. SNA applicant qualifications are 20/40, correctable to 20/20, PRK waiverable in both cases(LASIK = disqualification). If you are classified as a PRK candidate, and you meet the pre and post operative PRK checkups, a waiver is obtainable. The waiver, coupled with paperwork, is submitted through your OSO and you will be considered if an aviation slot is available. Contacts are a disqualification for applicants, however it is possible that the waiver program for specific soft contacts is still in effect for current Naval Aviators and Flight Officers. However, in either case the contact waiver wouldn't apply to you because you are not a CURRENT aviator. (as a sidenote, my recruiter said they pulled the contact lense waiver program so I'm not sure on the status of that)
Short answer - Yes, you have to get PRK before you can switch to air. PRK is considered a voluntary surgery and as others mentioned before me, the Marines does not look highly upon it post-signing. It can be done.
Hope this helped, but please confirm my answer. I've been told, "Trust, but verify". Seems like very good advice to me.
-Matt
SNFO applicant qualifications are, I believe, 20/200 correctable to 20/20. SNA applicant qualifications are 20/40, correctable to 20/20, PRK waiverable in both cases(LASIK = disqualification). If you are classified as a PRK candidate, and you meet the pre and post operative PRK checkups, a waiver is obtainable. The waiver, coupled with paperwork, is submitted through your OSO and you will be considered if an aviation slot is available. Contacts are a disqualification for applicants, however it is possible that the waiver program for specific soft contacts is still in effect for current Naval Aviators and Flight Officers. However, in either case the contact waiver wouldn't apply to you because you are not a CURRENT aviator. (as a sidenote, my recruiter said they pulled the contact lense waiver program so I'm not sure on the status of that)
Short answer - Yes, you have to get PRK before you can switch to air. PRK is considered a voluntary surgery and as others mentioned before me, the Marines does not look highly upon it post-signing. It can be done.
Hope this helped, but please confirm my answer. I've been told, "Trust, but verify". Seems like very good advice to me.
-Matt
I don't think the limit for SNFO's is that low, my info might be old but that would have definitely disqaulified me.......
mxracer19
Hanging out in K-Vegas.
I looked around a bit and Flash is correct. 20/200 is the cutoff for carrier operations for pilots. 20/200+ requires a waiver. 20/400+ restricts you to aircraft with dual controls. According to about.com, there is no vision requirement for SNFO.
Vision Waiver Requirements:
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/pdfs/Waiver%20Guide%20-%20Ophthalmology.pdf
Vision Waiver Requirements:
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/pdfs/Waiver%20Guide%20-%20Ophthalmology.pdf
SNFO Vision??
You need to go to Navy instead of "about.com" for answers like this.
On the main NOMI site, there is a link to Physical Exams and Standards where you'll find info on SNFO vision requirement (see 1.7).
You need to go to Navy instead of "about.com" for answers like this.
On the main NOMI site, there is a link to Physical Exams and Standards where you'll find info on SNFO vision requirement (see 1.7).