Eye surgery...should I get it and when?

[TNWhiskey]

You cannot be a pilot in the Navy or Marine Corps without be able to see 20/30 uncorrected...you can however be an NFO...there have been several threads about the laser surgeries on this site and they all agree that PRK is the only method currently accepted...if you get Lasik you will be disqualified from flying a military aircraft, period. If you get PRK you have to get a waiver AND your eye measurements pre/post op have to fall within a certain range...they used what are known as diopeters...I don't know the precise number. Before you do anything talk to an OSO and get the exact info...there's been speculation that PRK won't even be waived now or in the near future. As an NFO I believe you'd have to wear glasses only as contacts tend to go bye-bye under G-forces...

 

[pilotwannabe]

i could deal wioht the glasses but i want to be a pilot. if i get prk there is still a chance they wont let me. i still have time to find out im just exploring my options while im still young enough to find another option. but this is what i want to do. i will do more reasearch.

 

[Elder]

Here is the Coast Guard's PRK requirements.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/mcpocg/1trng/expnavyfltschprk02.htm

All Coasties go through Flight Training right along with the Navy and Marine folks here in Pensacola.

 

[Daedalus]

You cannot have the flap removed as Elder hypothesizes. The top layer of cells that are removed are superficial in thickness and do grow back, but the flap is thick relative to the entire thickness of the cornea. The flap will not grow back, and no doctor would do it. Even if a quack was found you would prob be dq'ed because of being blind and they eye having weak structural integrity.

 

[NeoCortex]

pilotwannabe
What's your vision without glasses? If it's good enough you don't have to get PRK.

Ben

 

[reapergm]

Got the o.k. from my OSO today. I am withdrawing my application for the USMC OCC 185 class and getting the PRK asap! Hopefully before December. Wish me luck!

 

[pilotwannabe]

i wish my vision was good enough for me not to have glasses/contacts but it is very bad w/out either.

 

[NeoCortex]

Good luck Reaper, I wouldn't worry too much. I had it done 3 weeks ago and I'm seeing 20/10 now. Just get them to give you something to help you sleep after the surgery. By the way. reccomend getting the Interwave (or whatever they are caliing it). I think it made a huge difference with my eyes. It's more expencive, but I think it's worth it.

PilotWannabe, well then its a dissicion that you have to make, do you really want to be a Pilot, if so, then get the surgery. If you just want to be an officer and you don't care about flying then don't.
Ben

 

[Elder]

Reapergm,

Just make sure the Doctor(s) document EVERYTHING.

I.E. Everything about your eyes PRIOR to the surgery, and all your appointments following the surgery.

 

[reapergm]

Thanks for the heads up Elder.. will do!

 

[jfk]

hey guys, whats a pro req?
is this something i need before i get prk?

and should i get a physical at nas jax before, or after the prk?

 

[Justin]

Originally posted by froghead1
I am having a tough time getting straight answers from my recruiter, and this is an important issue, so I thought this would be a good place to ask. I know there are some other posts about this topic, but I don't think they are quite the same as mine. Basically, I need to know what you can do to get around poor eyesight. I am currently going through the applcation process, and although I am getting a little ahead, I am concerned that if I get prof req'd for Pilot, I will be ok on everything at MEPS except for eyesight. Should I get PRK now and try to get a waiver at MEPS? Or, should I wait and try to get PRK after I am in. I just don't want to get disgualified at MEPS for only having bad eyesight. Thanks!

 

[Justin]

Originally posted by froghead1
I am having a tough time getting straight answers from my recruiter, and this is an important issue, so I thought this would be a good place to ask. I know there are some other posts about this topic, but I don't think they are quite the same as mine. Basically, I need to know what you can do to get around poor eyesight. I am currently going through the applcation process, and although I am getting a little ahead, I am concerned that if I get prof req'd for Pilot, I will be ok on everything at MEPS except for eyesight. Should I get PRK now and try to get a waiver at MEPS? Or, should I wait and try to get PRK after I am in. I just don't want to get disgualified at MEPS for only having bad eyesight. Thanks!

I had PRK surgery because of my bad eye sight and I'm going to OCS Nov 29. Then onto flight school. I would have the surgery first it worked for me.

 

[reapergm]

Well, after my Gunny Sgt gave me the ok last week, I called my OSO today to tell him I was going to get it done. He was really discouraging. Told me he thinks I will be DQd now. Even for ground... STRESSED?!!? ADVICE?!

 

[NeoCortex]

Reaper,
Why does he think you'll be DQ'ed because of the surgery? I"m not sure what to tell you. Everyone that I"ve talked to about it, Flight surgeon, Recurter, etc have all been behind me on the surgery.

Ben