Lasik disqualifying

[app.man.]

I am entering the PLC program (will be going to OCS jrs. in the Summer of 2006). I had LasIk surgery back in June of 2005. I have been approved for ground, but I am well aware that I am completely disqualified from aviation. What is the reasoning behind lasIk being disqualifying? I am seeing 20/15 and my lasIk flap is perfectly healed. My doc. says he doesn't see why it should be disqualifying. He has seen a case of a woman kicked in the head by a horse, but the flap still staying intact. He also says that my night vision should not be compromised at all. So any explanation out there other than the fact that there has not been as much testing done on it compared to lasEk and PRK?

 

[ItsTurboTime]

It's a sudden decompression that is the concern, not a jolt. While it has healed and is quite strong it may not be as strong as the rest of the eye. That's my understanding. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[ChuckMK23]

I thought it had to do something with the small air pocket that is left behind the flap and that it has a possibility of rupturing the flap if you ever have to punch out at a high altitute. I don't know how true this is, just what I have been told.

No it's just that Navy opthamologists are the most uptight anal beureaucrats in entire Navy. It's very much a "not invented here" syndrome. Too bad for us - but thats the hand we are dealt.

 

[app.man.]

Yeah. This is what I have heard. What a shame. Maybe they will get over it and approve lasIk one day.

 

[KBayDog]

No it's just that Navy opthamologists are the most uptight anal beureaucrats in entire Navy. It's very much a "not invented here" syndrome. Too bad for us - but thats the hand we are dealt.

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but various medical/legal/moral requirements seem to be a good force-shaping tool. They can keep a lot of folks out when numbers are high ("Sorry! It's in the order!", but when a service is hurting for servicemen, everything suddenly becomes waiverable:

"You became a deaf-mute quadriplegic when you got high on acid and jumped off the Stratosphere because the cops were chasing you after committing double murder? No worries - I'll get that drug waiver approved, and they just lifted the requirement that you have functioning arms and legs, so we'll push that waiver through, too. That's too bad that you have a 1.2 GPA in your Underwater Basketweaving major at Liberal U., but once again, I can get a waiver for that. Just raise your right hand and sign on the dotted line...oops, sorry about that. Here, I'll just have your parole officer sign for you and vouch for you on the polygraph."

(^Disclaimer: The above is SATIRE!)

 

[wink]

How do you know there hasn't been enough study on LASIK? True their isn't a waiver "study" program like for PRK. But that is only because LASIK didn't make the initial cut and deem worthy of field/operational study. There is a specific physiological reason for it. The procedures are completely different, the flap being the primary difference. Trapped, air, decompression, are the most common reasons given for not authorizing LASIK. The Army accepts LASIK because their flight physiology is different. Navy opthamologist may be anal but to my knowledge, PRK was not "invented" by any Navy doc and they have no interest in promoting any one procedure over another. If anyone is interested in promoting LASIK they can fund a few professional thorough studies and have them published in peer review journals and presented at a conference for debate. If the science holds up someone in the Navy may notice.

 

[NickPollock19]

heh, i'm happy i got my eyes fixed with PRK, more painful, but well worth the flight contract

 

[reapergm]

Amen to that!