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Bdcp - prk

Semisonic9

New Member
Hey guys. I'm a future BDCP candidate (but not SNA or NFO) and I'm trying to plan out the next few months.

My vision sucks, and the communities I'm looking at (Intel, IW, SeaBee) all have fairly low vision requirements. Still, I'd like to get PRK sometime in the next few years. From a financial standpoint, I'd really prefer to get it while I'm in BDCP. I've heard that this isn't possible to do? What's the word on that?

My prescription is pretty strong (-7.00 left eye, -6.50 right eye, with astigmatism in each), if that's relevant.

-S
 

torpedo0126

Member
PRK will fix that easily your prescription, barring your astigmatism isn't out of limits for the laser.

I'm fairly certain you can get PRK whil in BDCP...

You will be paying for it, but you said from a financial standpoint, you would prefer to get in BDCP.
 

Semisonic9

New Member
Right. I have no problem paying for my own, even if they wanted me to get it from Navy surgeons or whatever.

I'd just like to have the option.
 

nugget61

Active Member
pilot
I was given a very firm no on that exact same question, however I was going for sna - don't know if you would be allowed to due to more relaxed vision standards but if you really want the surgery make sure that it's ok before you sign the line.
 

EEYORE7763

New Member
I had the PRK surgery done. Now I have 20/15 in both eyes. Does anybody know how long you have to wait after the surgery to recieve the waiver?
 

nugget61

Active Member
pilot

torpedo0126

Member
Civ applicants = 6 months
Wings pipeline = 3 months (if criteria is met)
Enlisted = I dunno.

Here's the link to the waiver guide. Don't think it'll shed much insight for you on this, but could help you in the future:
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navme...Pages/AeromedicalReferenceandWaiverGuide.aspx

this is kinda true. it depends on how bad your eyes are. if you review the waiver guide or use the SEARCH function, you will find the correct number. If you are less than a certain amount, you need only wait 3 months.
 

knewman

New Member
I was given a very firm no on that exact same question, however I was going for sna - don't know if you would be allowed to due to more relaxed vision standards but if you really want the surgery make sure that it's ok before you sign the line.


I am also going for SNA and asked the same question about PRK while in the BDCP program. I recieved a solid 'no' from my recruiter, he said it would cause disenrollment. However I was also told that it would be ok so long as I fall within vision requirements after surgery, so it is ok as long as you're willing to take the risk. Is there any more official word on this? Has anyone acually had PRK surgery prior to OCS while enlisted in the BDCP program?
 

nugget61

Active Member
pilot
this is kinda true. it depends on how bad your eyes are. if you review the waiver guide or use the SEARCH function, you will find the correct number. If you are less than a certain amount, you need only wait 3 months.

Thats exactly what the eye doc at nami told me :confused:

I am also going for SNA and asked the same question about PRK while in the BDCP program. I recieved a solid 'no' from my recruiter, he said it would cause disenrollment. However I was also told that it would be ok so long as I fall within vision requirements after surgery, so it is ok as long as you're willing to take the risk. Is there any more official word on this? Has anyone acually had PRK surgery prior to OCS while enlisted in the BDCP program?

You'll have to get a waiver if you have PRK (even though your post op vision is OK) so its not an invisible surgery to them. If he told you no, I wouldn't get it done. If you are part of the <1% with problems and you've already FSed, you could lose your SNA contract and still owe the Navy something. I delayed my FS because I wasn't willing to take the risk - find out on wednesday if that risk was unfounded or not.
 

torpedo0126

Member
Thats exactly what the eye doc at nami told me :confused:

maybe be we are talking about different things...i just looked up the waiver guide

If your "plano to -5.50 diopter sphere: three months"

If your "-5.75 to -8.00 or +0.25 to +6.00 total diopter sphere: six months"

You have to wait this amount of time before your doctor can perform the final manifest refraction and you can submit your waiver.

After your waiver is submitted you have to wait for approval.
 

nugget61

Active Member
pilot
maybe be we are talking about different things...i just looked up the waiver guide

If your "plano to -5.50 diopter sphere: three months"

If your "-5.75 to -8.00 or +0.25 to +6.00 total diopter sphere: six months"

You have to wait this amount of time before your doctor can perform the final manifest refraction and you can submit your waiver.

After your waiver is submitted you have to wait for approval.

Thats if you have wings or are in the pipeline. They told me 6 months for all applicants regardless of pre-op measurements.
 

nugget61

Active Member
pilot
gotcha makes sense too.

I am assuming when you say 'pipeline' you mean NROTC and USNA Mids as well?

Now that one I don't know - the doc used the term "pipeline" and seeing as how I don't even have my FS yet I knew I didn't qualify and let it go.
 
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