2 PRK concerns. Need help quick!

[shutout39]

1. MEPS has me as 20/60, which from what I read on this forum, would mean that I need PRK before I can get final select. My recruiter has told me, adamantly, not to get it. He said the waivers are hard to get. He said he can get me a contract and have the Navy pay for it. Seems too good to be true...so is it? Leading me to my 2nd problem:

2. Went to get a PRK consultation today and the Doc says that my eyes are 20/30 and 20/40 - 20/35 together. The problem is the lady at MEPS who seemed like she could give 2 craps that my career was on the line rushed me through and no surpise, she has me at 20/60 for my left and 20/60 for my right! My right eye is and always has been better than my left, so I knew something was up.

My concern is that even if I can go back to MEPS, and they get the correct visual acuity, I am right on the border line where I would be shaking in my boots for my flight physical down the road. I am not really sure how the process works when you don't have 20/20 but still are within the said limits. Do they let you fly with 20/35 uncorrected?

Many people on here say that PRK was the best thing they have ever done, so I wouldn't necessarily mind getting the surgery. The $$$ seems worth it in the long run for both my career and my peace of mind. So, again, is my recruiter mistaken on the current PRK waiver policy? My understanding is that unless I am already in they will never pay for the surgery. If so, I am looking at getting the surgery March 8 while my package sits for the April board. That would give me the 90 days to wait for waiver and stay within the 90 day final select requirement. That is how I understand it at least, so if someone could correct me and/or answer some of these questions, I would be very thankful!

 

[twobecrazy]

Is there an echo in the forum lately? I swear this has been talked about recently. Is your recruiter the same as this persons?

http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php/155306-PRK-disqualifying-in-the-application-process

 

[nugget61]

I'll assume you're not trolling and help you out. Mod's will eat you up if you're trolling though.

1. MEPS has me as 20/60, which from what I read on this forum, would mean that I need PRK before I can get final select. My recruiter has told me, adamantly, not to get it.

Yes, you need it. He probably said no as it will possibly make you lose any pro-rec and will change your package (you already hit the 'no' checkbox for having had PRK on your package).

He said the waivers are hard to get. He said he can get me a contract and have the Navy pay for it. Seems too good to be true...so is it?

They're easy to get, they won't pay for it till much later for you unless something major has changed within the past year or so.

Do they let you fly with 20/35 uncorrected?

Read the waiver guide. Its on here and google if you don't have it. You have to be correctable to 20/20 with glasses while you fly, 20/40 uncorrected (post PRK).

Many people on here say that PRK was the best thing they have ever done, so I wouldn't necessarily mind getting the surgery. The $$$ seems worth it in the long run for both my career and my peace of mind... That would give me the 90 days to wait for waiver and stay within the 90 day final select requirement. That is how I understand it at least, so if someone could correct me and/or answer some of these questions, I would be very thankful!

Yes, PRK was great. The money was well spent.
As for the 90 days, again, unless major changes in the past year, its a 6 month wait before you submit your waiver approval paperwork, not 3 months. Thats for when you're already in. I managed to get the NAMI doc on the phone when I was applying in your same situation, trying to get by on the 90 day thing in the guide. At least last year, the 6 months rule applies to ALL applicants, regardless of what your eyes were pre-PRK.
Good luck

 

[TheBirdy]

Let me start off by saying the search function is your best friend. A few of your questions have already been addressed in previous threads in the PRK section.

That aside I'll try to help you out the best I can.

First off, I am not sure why your recruiter is saying that the waivers are difficult to get it. From my understanding, as long as the procedure goes as fine, your 30, 60 and 90 day post op check ups look good and there are no side affects (i.e. halos, etc) the waiver should be obtained with no problem. I want to say that your OR may be wrong about getting you a contract and the Navy paying for PRK instead or you paying for it, because if your vision does not meet the standards for SNA at MEPS, your going to be DQed right there.

The NAMI website says that the current vision standards for SNA are 20/40 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, PRK waiver possible. If MEPS gets your acuity at 20/35 I THINK you will be fine without the procedure. IF this is true, then back to what your OR said, he may be trying to say that if you did pass MEPS with 20/35 and you went through OCS, upon commission if you needed the PRK then it would come out of the Navy's pocket down the road (as I said this is what I think, I could be wrong).

If I were you, I would ask around some more, or better yet contact NAMI. Personally, if I had to get PRK down the line and I had a chance to get it now, I would do it now. Your vision could deteriorate and give you more problems later on, so if you have the money, get the PRK now. My OR told me to get PRK done, so I did in December 2010. He's been pretty spot on with a lot of info (not saying your OR isn't), but I can't really see you having problems getting a waiver unless something goes wrong with the procedure or the post op check ups.

 

[jtmedli]

Just to echo another thread. LASIK is now an option as well as PRK for civilian applicants. There is a thread here about the recent change in policy.

 

[shutout39]

Thanks for the help everyone. I have searched and gone through all the threads for the past 3 years in this section. I guess when you're a college student about to max out your credit card so you can pursue a career, then having a recruiter telling you NOT to get the surgery and possibly jeopardize that career, it's nice to hear it from someone directly tell you that you do, in fact, need it.

I am going to contact NAMI tomorrow and get this straightened away.

 

[JSF_Dreamer]

I had PRK as a civilian and was picked up for SNA my first go. I HIGHLY recommend doing LASIK, though, as it is now an option and all-around better, imo. Contact the Naval Refractive Surgery Center in San Diego (iirc). I called when I was still up in the air as to whether I should have it or not and they were HUGELY helpful. The person I spoke with was very knowledgable and extremely helpful. In hindsight I should have called him back just to say thank you for being so helpful.

Best of luck to you.