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Upcoming surgery

Cordespc

Active Member
None
Contributor
After 9 months the wait is nearing an end, as I have been notified that I have a pre-op exam scheduled for 17 July, and surgery on 25 July.

I am active duty Navy, but intend to submit a USMC OCS package after successful surgery. Please forgive my ignorance, but does anyone know if I will be able to be accepted whilst awaiting a PRK waiver? I have not had the benefit of speaking with any aviators or prospective aviators who have received this surgery, so any personal experiences and input appreciated.
Cheers,
-Paul
 

nugget81

Well-Known Member
pilot
Depending on your current vision, you may have to wait 3-6 months after surgery to submit your package. I did my PRK on March 17 and have another eye exam at MEPS on June 17.
 

Cordespc

Active Member
None
Contributor
Interesting.....The OSO seems to think I will need to wait a minimum of 6 months after surgery to get NOMI to clear me, and he suggests waiting until those 6 months have passed before applying.

I emailed an HMC at Quantico who tells me I will need pre and post-op specs, and a 90 day post-op exam for clearance. I have heard 6 months from other sources though. Anyone in the know on this one?

Cheers,
-Paul
 

Cordespc

Active Member
None
Contributor
Ok, now I think I have the real low down on the PRK waiver. This comes from a very reliable source:

From the Air Waiver Guide:
"a. SNA and SNFO Applicants (PRK only) http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Text/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/SNA-SNFO%20Accession%20PRK%20Worksheet.doc](Use SNA/SNFO PRK Accession Checklist as guideline to requirements.) [/URL]
Pre-operative refractive error must be no worse than SNFO applicant standards except that maximum allowable hyperopia is no greater than +6.00 D total diopters sphere. Post-operative refractive stability is required and documented as follows. A final manifest refraction must be performed no sooner than three months after surgery for pre-operative refractive error in the range plano to –5.50 total diopters sphere (mild to moderate myopia), and no sooner than six months after surgery for pre-operative refractive error in the range –5.75 to –8.00 or +0.25 to +6.00 total diopters sphere (high myopia or any hyperopia). This final manifest refraction shall be compared to a previous manifest refraction performed at least one month prior to the final. Neither sphere nor cylinder may change by more than 0.50 D in each eye. If the interval change exceeds the standard, further manifest refractions must be performed at one month intervals until stability is demonstrated. Only the final two manifest refractions demonstrating stability with dates should be recorded on the applicant SF-88. The member must meet all other vision standards appropriate to his or her class of duty. A post-operative cycloplegic refraction with date must be reported for SNA accessions.

Submit with the applicant SF-88 copies of all records pertaining to PRK surgery including the pre-operative evaluation, operative notes (laser computer printouts), and all post-operative notes including documentation of the manifest refractions at appropriate intervals.

The member will be enrolled in the Navy PRK Aviation Accession Study upon arrival at NAMI for API (except for USNA midshipmen treated at NNMC Bethesda who are enrolled there)."


So I take it that since my contacts are -4.00 and -4.25, I will be in the 3 month post-op category for waiver purposes. Since I am scheduled for later this month, that should give put me at applying for the January class. Awesome!

Cheers,
-Paul
 

nugget81

Well-Known Member
pilot
Cordespc said:
So I take it that since my contacts are -4.00 and -4.25, I will be in the 3 month post-op category for waiver purposes.

Sounds reasonable to me. Good luck with the surgery! Be sure to use the eye drops...they will be your friends for the first few days. Keep us updated on your status...
 

Cordespc

Active Member
None
Contributor
Had the surgery on Monday, the 25th, and was seeing 20/25 and 20/40 by Friday morning. This is coming from 20/400 in both eyes. I understand it keeps getting better from here on out, I can't wait.

Cheers.
- Paul
 

nugget81

Well-Known Member
pilot
Congratulations on taking the leap! It's been about a week, so you should be past the worst of it. Just take care of your eyes and they will take care of you.
 
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