Possible NAMI WAMMY!

[Raptor2216]

So I had my flight physical today...the one thing I had been dreading for a long time. Everything was going smooth...eyes 20/20 and I even managed to pas that stupid depth perception test with the raised circles. Then the eye doc calls me in to "look" at my eyes under the microscope and she tell me that she sees something "weird" on the white part of my right eye. Apparently there were some sort of bubbles under the clear covering. This has never affected my vision before and I never even had a clue it was there but now they have me on hold. I'm still clear to continue training but they want me to come in again two weeks from now for a second look. I also had to give some blood so that they could check the levels of vitamin A in my body because apparently a lack of vit A can cause a similar condition.

This thing was also noted two years earlier on my last flight physical, which was done at miramar, but no one cared back then. Anyway, I was just curious if anyone has ever heard of anything like this? The docs said they had never seen it before so they will do some research on it...whatever that means. Would I have any recourse if they try to tell me I can't fly because of this even though my vision is perfect in all other respects? I have heard some crazy stories before about people totally failing a test or being told they have some rare abnormality that will prevent them from flying and then ending up with a waiver or whatever and going on with their career. Any ideas??

 

[insanebikerboy]

The best thing you could do right now is just wait and see what the Docs say. They aren't out to f you out of flying, but to make certain you actually are safe to do so.

As for waivers, I've heard a lot of different things get waivered, it just depends. Right now just relax, enjoy your time off in the A-Pool, and wait to cross that bridge if it comes. It may not. Biggest thing, don't fret it, it's not like you can change how your eyes are anyways, so just wait and see if you would actually need a waiver, then follow up on it if you do.

 

[Gatordev]

They've never seen it before but they know a reason that may cause it? Sounds like more crack Navy medicine to me (sorry Feddoc). What bikerboy said...relax and wait and see.

 

[Raptor2216]

They've never seen it before but they know a reason that may cause it? Sounds like more crack Navy medicine to me (sorry Feddoc). What bikerboy said...relax and wait and see.

Well, I did some research on the whole via A deficiency problem and here is what google came up with: http://www.unsystem.org/scn/archives/npp02/ch06.htm (specifically about THE CONJUNCITIVA)

I am about 99% sure that is not my issue, assuming I have any real issues. I have a feeling that this is just NOMI being NOMI, trying to scare the **** out of me or the "bubble" in this case. I went is very worried about having issues with acuity or the depth perception test but ended up doing great on those. I'm trying not to worry too much about this because I don't have vision problems and i'm just hoping that this is just NOMI's anal retentive behavior that I heard so much about.

 

[snake020]

Start taking your cod liver oil and move on.

 

[Cobra Commander]

...and I even managed to pas that stupid depth perception test with the raised circles.

I had trouble with that at meps too. I had to stare at those stupid rings for a while before one would pop up. Anybody know why that might be?

 

[Brett327]

I had trouble with that at meps too. I had to stare at those stupid rings for a while before one would pop up. Anybody know why that might be?

Poor depth perception? Just a guess.

Brett

 

[Snacks]

Poor depth perception? Just a guess.

Brett

Now that's funny!!! Virtual rep for that one.

About having a hard time on the depth perception, I had it rough the first time taking the test. A buddy told me to start drinking LOTS of water (so much that you're peeing every 15 minutes) days before your next depth perception test. Tried it, and have had no problems taking that test since. Apparently hydrating helps your depth perception, at least for me.

 

[Cobra Commander]

time taking the test. A buddy told me to start drinking LOTS of water (so much that you're peeing every 15 minutes) days before your next depth perception test.

Thanks for the tip! After I read the first post I got a little nervous thinking about how I could get DQed. I had trouble with depth at MEPS and couldn't figure it out since I've never had trouble judging distance before.

 

[Tom]

I failed the depth perception test at MEPS, but went to a civilian eye doctor (yes, I paid for it) and did another depth perception test and did just fine. The doctor at MEPS accepted the test and I got in.

 

[Godspeed]

Depth perception test.

Here's a great depth perception test. If you can see the boat, you belong no where near an airplane.

 

[MasterBates]

There's a boat?

 

[Kiljoy]

There's a boat?

+1?

 

[Raptor2216]

So, after weeks of running around trying to find one doctor after another and being told to show up for "appointments" when the doctor is on leave and having to wait for an hour before being told to come back a week later, they finally gave me the check in the box.

The thing that irritates me is that now I have to get a waiver for something that has never affected me in any way. I just wonder, at what point does uber-cautious become plain stupid? I can't do anything(PTAD) now for atleast another two weeks while I wait for them to approve the waiver. Now what confuses me is, why do I have to wait until they approve it since the conveining authoiry, the head of opthalmology, has already OK'ed it?? What that tells me is that the last person who will actually help to make the decision has already made it and recommended that I stay in training.

So, exactlly who is responsible for "approving" the waiver? Can you get rejected even though the recommendation has been made that my eyes are good? My vision is well within all of NOMI's specs, i've passed every test they have thrown at me and i've never had surgery or anything even close to it...in fact i'm 20/15...it just seems absurd that they make you go though all this trouble given the circumstances.

 

[Brett327]

So, after weeks of running around trying to find one doctor after another and being told to show up for "appointments" when the doctor is on leave and having to wait for an hour before being told to come back a week later, they finally gave me the check in the box.

The thing that irritates me is that now I have to get a waiver for something that has never affected me in any way. I just wonder, at what point does uber-cautious become plain stupid? I can't do anything(PTAD) now for atleast another two weeks while I wait for them to approve the waiver. Now what confuses me is, why do I have to wait until they approve it since the conveining authoiry, the head of opthalmology, has already OK'ed it?? What that tells me is that the last person who will actually help to make the decision has already made it and recommended that I stay in training.

So, exactlly who is responsible for "approving" the waiver? Can you get rejected even though the recommendation has been made that my eyes are good? My vision is well within all of NOMI's specs, i've passed every test they have thrown at me and i've never had surgery or anything even close to it...in fact i'm 20/15...it just seems absurd that they make you go though all this trouble given the circumstances.

Welcome to the bureaucracy of the Navy/Marines. Get used to it and be happy they're giving you a waiver.

Brett