PRK after commissioing?

[Phrost_Bite]

What's the rule for PRK after commissioning? The reason I ask is because I think my eyesight is getting worse. I see great now with both eyes and I've always had great vision, but over the last few months I noticed that that my left eye seems a bit fuzzy compared to my right eye. I recently had my flight physical completed and I couldn't read all the letters clearly on that 10 line chart in my left eye till the doc put the machine up to me and flipped the lenses through. He checked that I was qualified and it said on my sheet that I was 20/20 (I'm still confused how that could be if I couldn't read them all in my left eye). Anyways, is it possible to have my eye fixed after I commission or am I just screwed if my eye get worse between now and my pre-API physical?

 

[Topper Harley]

Not exactly sure but normally it's something you should talk to you superiors about. The confusing factor is because you haven't been to API and if you have PRK there will be a waiting period you will have to go to which would postpone your API. You should speak with your superiors and ask them if it is advisable or if they believe your eyesight is good to go as is. Hope that helps but I've never been in that kind of situation. Hopefully someone on here as some experience in that situation or knows someone who has.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Honestly, you may just be thinking about it too much. I did the same leading up to API....was sure that my eyes were deteriorating. Used some weird eye drops to moisten my eyes before I did the pre-API NAMI phys, and actually read 20/25 in one eye (after never reading worse than 20/20 in my life). Fast forward 9 months later, do my physical checking into Meridian, checked 20/15 in both eyes no problem. They removed the "must wear corrective lenses" portion on my upchit, and never had a problem since. Pretty sure I was overhinking it before API

 

[Phrost_Bite]

That's what my wife has been telling me. Maybe it's all just in my head. I swear I couldn't see worth crap. I think I'll talk to an eye doc and see if I would ever really need the PRK. Thanks anyways for the info.

 

[uvuflyer548]

This may be a redundant question but I have been reading through the threads trying to gather all the info I can on PRK. I'm scheduled to have PRK on Thursday and my OR said that I don't need to have any paperwork or anything like that prior to surgery. I'm in the process of applying for an SNA slot but my OR told me because of my vision I'll have to have PRK before submitting my application. I'm 20/70 with a neg 2.25 left eye and neg 1.5 right eye. I just want to make sure I'm not going to complicate things by just going off and having the procedure done even thought my OR said its okay. Any feedback would be great!

 

[JSnake]

Sorry to hijack, but I have a similar question. I'm in BDCP for NFO right now, and I plan on applying for a transfer to pilot when possible. I hear that the top 10% at API get the chance to change to SNA, but my vision is way below standard. Is there any way I can get PRK before OCS while I'm still in school, or right after OCS before API? Would the Navy allow me to pursue a civilian surgeon to get PRK done while under the BDCP contract?

 

[Acart]

I second JSnake's question in wondering about getting PRK after OCS but before API. I was talking to my OR the other day and he told me that the waiver rate he has been seeing for PRK is about 50% and my eyes are no good enough to do pilot but they correct nicely to 20/20 with contacts or glasses. So I am planning to apply for NFO( anything to get in the air would be great), with the hope( even if its small) of getting to fly someday. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[red_ryder]

I think the short answer is, "not really". Usually if you're going to get PRK, you'll have to wait til your first shore tour, since you'll need your eyes for your upchit to fly.

How long does PRK down you for? was it 6 weeks or 6 months? either way, it would be hard to be med down that long.

 

[Van]

To the OP, I'm currently in the same boat as you and MIDNJAC (was). I noticed my left eye seemed a bit worse than my right right around my graduation/commissioning time. I have always seen a little bit better in my right eye than my left but it seemed worse than normal. I'd always been able to read 20/20 left and 20/15 or 20/10 right before but I couldn't read the NAMI 10 line chart with my left and have to wear glasses. The really interesting part is that I read the 20/20 line just fine at my FAA physical the week prior.

I have to get my annual physical done in June so we'll see if I can read 20/20 then. I'm hoping it was mostly just my mind screwing with me and I can keep the glasses in the case at home! It wasn't very comfortable when I tried my helmet on with the glasses!

 

[JSnake]

Does anyone know the policy on PRK during BDCP?