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Pre op refractive limits

Mdale

New Member
Hey guys,

Does anyone know pre op refractive limits before getting PRK for SNA contract hopefuls ?
 

Deez

New Member
pilot
Careful..if you have astigmatism the limits are much stricter. When I received my PRK waiver in 2007 the limits were 3.5 diopters per eye with astigmatism present.
 

shabuki

New Member
i've had a difficult time trying to find info that doesn't contradict other info i've found...

deez, was that limit +/- 3.5 or just -3.5? also, does can anyone give an estimate as to roughly how often they revise the limits?
 

shabuki

New Member
ok for anyone who is still wondering, the pre op refractive limits are definitely -8 to +3. that's confirmed by some one from NOMI

he said that changes could be made but he doesn't see any occurring in the near future, though i don't know what his definition of near future is
 

RyanF2005

New Member
i've had a difficult time trying to find info that doesn't contradict other info i've found...

I'm having trouble doing the same. I read all the threads on this PRK section of the forum last night, and am seeing a lot of contradiction (or I may be mistaken/confused). I did not want to just ask a question without doing my research first, as I am new to posting. Here are my questions though:

I recently had a PRK consultation done, and the doctor said I was a candidate and that my eyes were within all the limits for the surgery. My current refractive limits are -3.50 & -4.00, L & R eye, and I do not have an astigmatism. I scheduled the surgery for two weeks from yesterday. After doing so, I called my OSO's office and spoke with the Gunnery Sgt. I had previously met with. (Here is where I am confused) He said if my vision was worse than 20/40 prior to surgery, then I was disqualified as a candidate for an air contract, no matter what my vision was after the surgery. If this is correct, then why would so many people have the PRK done?
It was my understanding (through all my research) that if an aspiring Naval Aviator's vision was worse than 20/40, then they would have PRK done, wait the 6 months, apply for a waiver, then start his application process to become a Naval Aviator. Is this correct? (Also, I didn't mention it, but just to be clear I'll be applying through the USMC).

Again I am new to posting, so thank you for your patience.
 

shabuki

New Member
I'm pretty sure your oso is wrong on this one... the waiver guide says nothing about what your pre op vision was (20/XX), it only talks about pre op refraction. your prescription is fine so assuming all goes well you should get it waivered.

as far as your timeline, i'm not 100% sure about what to do before when. i only know that you're right about the 6 month thing and getting a waiver/starting training
 

BigJeffray

Sans Remorse
pilot
i've had a difficult time trying to find info that doesn't contradict other info i've found...

I'm having trouble doing the same. I read all the threads on this PRK section of the forum last night, and am seeing a lot of contradiction (or I may be mistaken/confused). I did not want to just ask a question without doing my research first, as I am new to posting. Here are my questions though:

I recently had a PRK consultation done, and the doctor said I was a candidate and that my eyes were within all the limits for the surgery. My current refractive limits are -3.50 & -4.00, L & R eye, and I do not have an astigmatism. I scheduled the surgery for two weeks from yesterday. After doing so, I called my OSO's office and spoke with the Gunnery Sgt. I had previously met with. (Here is where I am confused) He said if my vision was worse than 20/40 prior to surgery, then I was disqualified as a candidate for an air contract, no matter what my vision was after the surgery. If this is correct, then why would so many people have the PRK done?
It was my understanding (through all my research) that if an aspiring Naval Aviator's vision was worse than 20/40, then they would have PRK done, wait the 6 months, apply for a waiver, then start his application process to become a Naval Aviator. Is this correct? (Also, I didn't mention it, but just to be clear I'll be applying through the USMC).

Again I am new to posting, so thank you for your patience.

This may simply be a difference in terminology. Technically PRK is disqualifying, meaning in order to get a flight/pilot slot after having,you need a waiver. It is disqualifying but waiverable, provided you meet the refractive limits that are in the NAMI waiver guide.
 

RyanF2005

New Member
Thanks for the replies! Reassures me even more, because I was devasted for about a split second. I called another OSO office in TX today, and they told me different that my local OSO office's Gunnery Sgt. originally told me; that it does not matter the pre-op vision. They said go ahead and get the surgery. So in two weeks I plan on getting it still. Now I'm not sure what's next exactly. Let the research begin! Thanks again!!
 

ThunderOne

New Member
I have a question that goes along with the initial discussion.

For my pre-op numbers, will they go off of my MEPS evaluation numbers, or off of the numbers the civilan laser surgery center recorded?
 

Beefalo

Registered User
How much of it is waiverable? Im an active duty PO1 who had PRK at Keesler AFB. Unfortunately my eyes were -8.50. I went into boot camp at -7.75 maybe the eye doc was being friendly and didnt want to process me out :D

Does this mean Im excluded from any commissioning source now?
 
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