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Nugget61's PRK Process

Q regarding the waiver process - About how long should this take? I understand that they're busy and I'm trying to be patient, but I would love to FS before April so I can collect some BDCP cash before I graduate in July. They've had the paperwork for 4 full weeks now, starting the 5th week today. Thanks.
 
Nugget61 - Thanks for posting your experiences regarding PRK.

I'm not sure I understand the pupose of the contact lenses after PRK. Was it for your astigmatism? If you could clarify I'd appreciate it. I have never heard of that before.

Do you happen to know if many/most/all PRK surgeries require post-op contacts?
 
Daisy said:
Nugget61 - Thanks for posting your experiences regarding PRK.

I'm not sure I understand the pupose of the contact lenses after PRK. Was it for your astigmatism? If you could clarify I'd appreciate it. I have never heard of that before.

Do you happen to know if many/most/all PRK surgeries require post-op contacts?
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The first 5 days of post-op, your cornea is completely exposed due to the doc removing the Epithelium for surgery. the lense acts as a bandage to protect your cornea. The epitheliam heals back quick and the contact lense is usually removed about 5-7 days after the procedure. Its standard fro all PRK procedures.
 
I just want to quickly post my PRK experience. Im 4 weeks post op, I was -3.75 both eyes pre op (crappy vision). Im writing to state that your vision is going to continuously change over the first 4 weeks, so keep that in mind. I remember worrying the first week post op because I had double vision and hazing. It has corrected itself and my vision is getting better everyday. Right now im 20/20 in both eyes, and my doctor said it should continue to improve. Know, however many times you hear it, time heals all (or at least PRK eyes). I couldnt be happier with the process and its allowing me to pursue a childhood dream that was previously unreachable before PRK!
 
FWIW, I had my PRK done in 2000; I was one of the original test subjects for USN.

Had my vision tested yesterday at a physical...still 20/15. However, my near vision isn't so good anymore.
 
feddoc said:
FWIW, I had my PRK done in 2000; I was one of the original test subjects for USN.

Had my vision tested yesterday at a physical...still 20/15. However, my near vision isn't so good anymore.
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Thats good to hear that it stuck. If you don't mind my asking, do you think the near vision loss is natural or due to the surgery?
 
nugget61 said:
If you don't mind my asking, do you think the near vision loss is natural or due to the surgery?
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Near vision typically starts declining around the age of 40 - this is completely natural. That said, PRK can speed up that process. YMMV.
 
Ok, I need some feedback from those in the know...

OR called today to say that he got a letter back from the waiver folks and that I was currently denied and to check back when I'm 6 months post op. I was expecting a "your NPQ for the surgery" letter and then later one saying that my waiver was OK, however this is not that.

I don't understand; AFAIK, I should be ok to be waived at 3 months - I was -1.25 each eye pre-op and something like +.25 each post, +.75 astigmatism each eye, reading 20/15-0 and 20/15-2, correctable to 20/20-0. I graduate at the end of July and really want to FS so that I know I have a job lined up and I'm not wasting time sitting around at home after I'm out, plus I'd like to collect some BDCP money.

My OR said that he can't call anyone, can't get any clarification, can't push anything through, can't do anything for me. Is there anything that would be holding me back from getting a 3 month waiver and is there anything that can be done to push me through now?
 
Most of the guys I knew in the fleet that received PRK had to wait up to six months to get back into full flight status. Relax and wait. Not much you can do right now.

-ea6bflyr ;)
 
Hey nugget, I wish I would have sent you a PM I was writing last night. it got long-winded and decided I didn't know what i was talking about but I'm pretty much suspecting the same problem to come up. I've got PRK scheduled in two weeks and was thinking (per pre-op spec below -6.00) that I can get a waiver after 90 days. My thought though, is that MEPS requires 6 months (per Army Reg 40-501, Navy Reg something something).

Now this is the thought I've been having but I don't know if it is true, but the way I've understood it is... after three months you can waive at Aero-medical to take the flight physical (90 days) BUT you can't waiver MEPS to update their physical (what is that MEPS update physical called? in-rec?) for 6 months.

So.. since the MEPS physical isn't part of your application packet but the flight physical is (right?) then you can submit the application, but can't actually go anywhere until the MEPS physical is updated at 6 months.

Does this make any sense?
 
ea6bflyr said:
Most of the guys I knew in the fleet that received PRK had to wait up to six months to get back into full flight status. Relax and wait. Not much you can do right now.

-ea6bflyr ;)
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Well I'll wait if I have to, I'm just starting to get nervous if I will get waived at all (I don't understand why it was denied) and worried that if I need to search for a civilian job than I'm behind the times.

capitoljake13 said:
Hey nugget, I wish I would have sent you a PM I was writing last night. it got long-winded and decided I didn't know what i was talking about but I'm pretty much suspecting the same problem to come up. I've got PRK scheduled in two weeks and was thinking (per pre-op spec below -6.00) that I can get a waiver after 90 days. My thought though, is that MEPS requires 6 months (per Army Reg 40-501, Navy Reg something something).

Now this is the thought I've been having but I don't know if it is true, but the way I've understood it is... after three months you can waive at Aero-medical to take the flight physical (90 days) BUT you can't waiver MEPS to update their physical (what is that MEPS update physical called? in-rec?) for 6 months.

So.. since the MEPS physical isn't part of your application packet but the flight physical is (right?) then you can submit the application, but can't actually go anywhere until the MEPS physical is updated at 6 months.

Does this make any sense?
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MEPS is required before you can final select, the flight physical is a routine that you'll go through regularly once you're in. They won't let you FS without MEPS OKing you. I know of people that MEPS made wait 6 months after PRK and I know some that they only made them wait 3 months (all meeting the 3 month standard). I don't understand this difference.
 
chase580 said:
I found another journal for becoming a Naval Aviator. I think this page might explain your situation.

http://www.takeoffcleared.com/tag/prk-waiver/
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That's Exo's blog, IIRC. It not his, I know its someone's on here.
That's what I hope this letter was (my OR hasn't processed a PRK waiver before) but my OR said it specifically said to reapply for the waiver once I hit 6 months, so I have a sinking suspicion that its from the big poobahs.
 
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