The Doctor is in! Ask a Flight Surgeon!

[FiveSevenK9]

Hey everyone, I wanted to see if there's an active flight doc in here. I graduated OCS on Nov 8th and have been in TMG since. I just recieved a medical dq for SNA from NAMI as of Nov 22. The letter says "unspecified disorder of cornea H189 Topography out of standards for SNA". Since I was told I had a 50/50 chance for dq back during week 1 of training, I've been doing a lot of research on my issue since then. I have full 20/20, full depth perception, and full field of view. However, NAMI must think I will go blind due to a potential risk of me developing keratoconus as seen on my topography. It is extremely frustrating when I read how NAMI allows cornea cross linking surgery to prevent this issue in active winged pilots and it has approximately a 95% success rate. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem a waiver or surgery is possible for applicants. I am currently waiting to see if I can redesignate as NFO since topography is only performed for SNA. How realistic is it for me to hope I can get CXL surgery as an NFO and Lat-transfer to pilot later down the line? I'll wrap up by saying that for anyone pursuing SNA, I highly encourage you to get a flight physical if possible before going to OCS. The admin process of medical is absolutely messed up between OCS and NAMI these days. Hope to save others from heartbreak.

 

[ChillBeast69]

Hey everyone, I wanted to see if there's an active flight doc in here. I graduated OCS on Nov 8th and have been in TMG since. I just recieved a medical dq for SNA from NAMI as of Nov 22. The letter says "unspecified disorder of cornea H189 Topography out of standards for SNA". Since I was told I had a 50/50 chance for dq back during week 1 of training, I've been doing a lot of research on my issue since then. I have full 20/20, full depth perception, and full field of view. However, NAMI must think I will go blind due to a potential risk of me developing keratoconus as seen on my topography. It is extremely frustrating when I read how NAMI allows cornea cross linking surgery to prevent this issue in active winged pilots and it has approximately a 95% success rate. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem a waiver or surgery is possible for applicants. I am currently waiting to see if I can redesignate as NFO since topography is only performed for SNA. How realistic is it for me to hope I can get CXL surgery as an NFO and Lat-transfer to pilot later down the line? I'll wrap up by saying that for anyone pursuing SNA, I highly encourage you to get a flight physical if possible before going to OCS. The admin process of medical is absolutely messed up between OCS and NAMI these days. Hope to save others from heartbreak.

How would you even get a flight physical before OCS? Did you know that you had this condition before going in? Good luck man sorry that happened.

 

[FiveSevenK9]

How would you even get a flight physical before OCS? Did you know that you had this condition before going in? Good luck man sorry that happened.

I’m not sure how you can as a civilian coming in. I know prior enlisted that got them done before coming to my class. It will definitely prevent this from happening to you if you find a way which I think is worth it. I was perfectly healthy and perfect vision as far as I was aware: 20/20, 40 arc, full field of view etc. Eyeball topography is the one thing I didn’t know about until getting to OCS. Wound is fresh but I understand why they don’t want to take chances on me.

 

[Anthony2000]

How would you even get a flight physical before OCS? Did you know that you had this condition before going in? Good luck man sorry that happened.

Go to an eye doctor and have them run a bunch of test against your eyes then compare it to the NAMI standards. I got PRK and I had every test under the sun ran against my eyes, and compared it NAMIs standards.

 

[Anthony2000]

How would you even get a flight physical before OCS? Did you know that you had this condition before going in? Good luck man sorry that happened.

Most lasik places do free consults. Topography is needed for lasik so you’ll get one. If your topography is abnormal they’ll tell you because they won’t give you lasik if it is (unless it’s a shady doc/condition is able to be operated on)

 

[FiveSevenK9]

Go to an eye doctor and have them run a bunch of test against your eyes then compare it to the NAMI standards. I got PRK and I had every test under the sun ran against my eyes, and compared it NAMIs standards.

This, but see if you can get eyeball topography done. It doesn’t seem commonly available to every optometrist or ophthalmologist out there.

 

[Anthony2000]

This, but see if you can get eyeball topography done. It doesn’t seem commonly available to every optometrist or ophthalmologist out there.

Yeah go to a place that does lasik, they’ll 100% have one

 

[ChillBeast69]

thanks for the advice bros

 

[FiveSevenK9]

Today it was confirmed I am entirely dq from navy aviation. No pilot or nfo. Figuring out my next steps from here.

 

[Empire16]

Today it was confirmed I am entirely dq from navy aviation. No pilot or nfo. Figuring out my next steps from here.

Man. That is some tough luck. What are your options ?

 

[FiveSevenK9]

I was told I can DOR or transfer to supply/swo/crypto etc. nothing really of interest to me right now. I’m going to speak with some Air Force and Army recruiters as well as some specwar people in the navy. DOR is looking like my next course of action but I should keep my commission if I return to the navy. At least I wouldn’t have to do OCS again here. I will have to for any other branch though.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I was told I can DOR or transfer to supply/swo/crypto etc. nothing really of interest to me right now. I’m going to speak with some Air Force and Army recruiters as well as some specwar people in the navy. DOR is looking like my next course of action but I should keep my commission if I return to the navy. At least I wouldn’t have to do OCS again here. I will have to for any other branch though.

Before you decide to DOR get the info from the other service recruiters, I had a kid who during the exam was found to have signs of Keratoconus and was not only DQ from the USN, but the other services as well (we were his 3rd stop).

 

[Empire16]

I was told I can DOR or transfer to supply/swo/crypto etc. nothing really of interest to me right now. I’m going to speak with some Air Force and Army recruiters as well as some specwar people in the navy. DOR is looking like my next course of action but I should keep my commission if I return to the navy. At least I wouldn’t have to do OCS again here. I will have to for any other branch though.

There are slots open for all 3 of those?

 

[FiveSevenK9]

Before you decide to DOR get the info from the other service recruiters, I had a kid who during the exam was found to have signs of Keratoconus and was not only DQ from the USN, but the other services as well (we were his 3rd stop).

Based on your experience, do you know if there’s a difference between suspected keratoconus and diagnosed keratoconus for recruiters? Or are you saying any unusual topography will get me dq like that kid got dq from all military? Normally keratoconus has a crab claw or kissing doves pattern whereas I have yellow circles

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Based on your experience, do you know if there’s a difference between suspected keratoconus and diagnosed keratoconus for recruiters? Or are you saying any unusual topography will get me dq like that kid got dq from all military? Normally keratoconus has a crab claw or kissing doves pattern whereas I have yellow circles

I don't, that is up to the individual services medical guidance, that is why I said before DOR check with the other recruiters and they can look in their manuals. There are some things that one service is more lenient on than another, and there are things where they are pretty much in line. If you are looking to fly the USAF has spots for OTS few and far between, both would probably be concerned about anything with the eyes, but check to make sure. I would hate to see you DOR then find out you can't get into another service or back in the USN.