The Eyes have it - All things Vision-related

[gnarbot]

Hey guys

So I asked my optometrist how good my eyes are and she says I have 20/20, which makes no sense to me because I have a prescription of -1.25 on my left and -.25 on my right. But she went on this long explanation that 20/20 just means you can see an object 20 ft away 20ft away. So then why do I have a prescription? Does this mean I have 20/20 on both eyes? or is my Optometrist wrong?

Thanks

 

[jtmedli]

Hey guys

So I asked my optometrist how good my eyes are and she says I have 20/20, which makes no sense to me because I have a prescription of -1.25 on my left and -.25 on my right. But she went on this long explanation that 20/20 just means you can see an object 20 ft away 20ft away. So then why do I have a prescription? Does this mean I have 20/20 on both eyes? or is my Optometrist wrong?

Thanks

That doesnt sound like a horrible Rx. 20/20 just means that you can read the letters off the chart. The prescription may just be to make your eyes perfect at near/far distances or so on. Ask the optometrist what the numbers are (SPH, CYL) and what they mean. He/She will explain it better than we ever could.

 

[BACONATOR]

Hey guys

So I asked my optometrist how good my eyes are and she says I have 20/20, which makes no sense to me because I have a prescription of -1.25 on my left and -.25 on my right. But she went on this long explanation that 20/20 just means you can see an object 20 ft away 20ft away. So then why do I have a prescription? Does this mean I have 20/20 on both eyes? or is my Optometrist wrong?

Thanks

What your vision is and your prescription are two different things. 20/20 just means you can read the letters on the 20/20 line. While you don't NEED a prescription, I've noticed that most civilian optometrists will "give" prescriptions out to people who don't need it. If you are 20/20 and have a prescription it's because when testing your vision, they'll keep testing until the prescription you're on no longer allows you to see any better. So even if you read 20/20, they'll keep testing prescriptions and have you read lines lower than 20/20 until the prescriptions stop making your vision any better.

So your vision is "perfect" but if they can make it better than 20/20, they will give you a prescription that gives you the best possible vision.

 

[gnarbot]

What your vision is and your prescription are two different things. 20/20 just means you can read the letters on the 20/20 line. While you don't NEED a prescription, I've noticed that most civilian optometrists will "give" prescriptions out to people who don't need it. If you are 20/20 and have a prescription it's because when testing your vision, they'll keep testing until the prescription you're on no longer allows you to see any better. So even if you read 20/20, they'll keep testing prescriptions and have you read lines lower than 20/20 until the prescriptions stop making your vision any better.

So your vision is "perfect" but if they can make it better than 20/20, they will give you a prescription that gives you the best possible vision.

OttoWrote8, On my left eye I have a hard time seeing far away. But my right eye is perfect. So from what you guys are saying I do fine on the vision test for NAMI cause I was very scared for a while that I didnt have perfect vision, which would deter me from becoming a pilot.

That doesnt sound like a horrible Rx. 20/20 just means that you can read the letters off the chart. The prescription may just be to make your eyes perfect at near/far distances or so on. Ask the optometrist what the numbers are (SPH, CYL) and what they mean. He/She will explain it better than we ever could.

Jtmedli, the lady said I only have sphere with is the numbers given -1.25 and -.25.



Also I called 3 other eye doctors and they explained it to me alot better. It turns out my dumb optometrist was referring to me having CORRECTABLE 20/20. In fact my left eye is about 20/50 and my right 20/20. So now that I know my numbers I have to do PRK. (or apply for the lasik program)

 

[PV33]

Eyesight

I am currently a Senior in high school, and I will be attending Auburn University next year. I really want to become a Marine Corps officer but I especially want to be a Naval Aviator preferably helos. I want to attend PLC air next summer, but I'm not sure about my eyesight. I currently wear contacts corrected to 20/20 they are -2.75. Is there any waiver I can apply for if I don't meet the 20/40 minimum, or will I just have to find a different MOS.

 

[texags]

Dude this is the third time you have posted this.

 

[nugget61]

Search "PRK"

 

[gnarbot]

also suppose to be on "ALL VISION related section"

 

[feddoc]

Merged for sake of convenience. PV33, your question is pretty typical. Better that you get your answer in a thread where it (the question) and other accompanying questions are answered.

 

[SenorDan]

For those who fly. Any thoughts on contact lenses vs. glasses? Any reports of eyes drying up with contact lenses?

 

[Dmavs]

Hi All,

New to the forum so bear with me please. I'll keep it short and simple.

Here's the deal, I got my eyes set on becoming a pilot and I'll be starting NROTC in a year when I go into my junior year of college, I have a good GPA, 20 years old, no criminal past, etc. I have it all mapped out basically. However my eyesight is horrible, to say the least(myopic). My Rx for glasses is -8.25 in my right eye and -7.25 in the left one (around 20/800 in both). Two weeks ago I scheduled a consultation with a laser eye center to find out if I was a candidate for LASIK or PRK, turns out I am and all is good. But..Long story short: Pre-Op refractive error limit is what's keeping me up at night. My question to you all is: Do I have ANY chance of getting a waiver given my refractive error? Are these limits written in stone or is there any leeway for someone who is right on the limit or slightly past it?
P.S: I had my cycloplegic exam yesterday, turns out.. RIGHT: sphere= -7.00, cylinder= -1.50 LEFT: sphere= -8.00, cylinder= -0.25. However, after transposition I'm looking at -8.50 in the right and -8.25 in the left. I don't know if the Navy looks at your refractive error after transposition or not? If someone has a clue, please chime in.

Anyway I'd greatly appreciate it if you guys could shed some light on my situation so I can hopefully start eating again haha. Thanks guys

 

[Patty Ann]

question i have 25/20 left and 20/20 in right, i have been tested multiple times and this is the case, if i meet the standard 20/40 am i good to go? (will i need to get my eyes corrected for this small case?)

 

[ea6bflyr]

question i have 25/20 left and 20/20 in right, i have been tested multiple times and this is the case, if i meet the standard 20/40 am i good to go? (will i need to get my eyes corrected for this small case?)

As long as your eyes are correctable to 20/20 and your eyes meet the Navy SNA requirements. I had better than 20/40, but my astigmatism was 2x worse than max allowable, therefore I did not qualify for SNA, but I did qualify for SNFO.

-ea6bflyr

 

[wink]

I am going to pull rank and not use the search function or go back and reread this thread, which I haven't visited in months. What is the latest status on surgery? I am guessing PRK (LASEK) is still approved. I thought that some months ago LASIK was approved as well, but heard through the grape vine that it no longer is. Keep in mind, I am asking with regard to civilian applicants. I have seen plenty of confusion over the years when something is approved for active duty or on a trial basis and the wannabes jump all over it spreading bad gouge.

 

[Raider13]

Has anyone ever gone to MEPS but had their exam marked incomplete pending an "eye consult"? This happened to me yesterday and I am wondering what such a consultation might entail. I know I did fairly poorly on the eye exam and that my eyesight is not very good, so this isn't a complete surprise. I'd appreciate any insight (pun intended) you all may have to offer.