Waiver Process?

[SNAWannabe]

When do you actually apply or get the waiver for PRK? Must you get that prior to your actually application being submitted. Or do you just get that if and when you are pro rec, then get the waiver when you get your medical, as a part of your final docs?

 

[kmac]

I was BDCP, so I fell into the category of "active duty" but not aviation. All I had to do to have the surgery done was getting the CO's (of the recruiting district) approval. That being in the form of a special request chit, I had a civilian doc do the surgery (same as UInavy). Three months after the surgery I was eligible for the actual waiver which was finally approved two days before I checked into OCS. Like the above post, I didn't get my actual waiver until I was in API.

A point to be made... just because you don't yet have a waiver doesn't mean you don't start the pilot pipeline. I was considered an SNA even though I didn't have the official paper stating the waiver yet.

 

[ben]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of vision did you guys who were SNA before PRK have? If you were good enough to make SNA standards, why did you get PRK? If your eyes weren't quite up to par, how did you get SNA before the surgery?

 

[ben]

Wasn't good enough for SNA beforehand, but with meeting the pre-op and post-op waiver standards, I got SNA. It would have really sucked if I had gotten denied for final waiver approval after OCS, though.

Wow, I didn't know you could do that. I always thought that you had to either meet the standards or have already had PRK at least 6 months prior to applying. You learn something new every day.

 

[Rugger]

NAMI web page- updated 3/2/04

This is what the standards are for sailors and Marines on active duty (IE -you could probably get some civillian eye surgeon to operate on you if you really wanted and paid enough money...) The quick and dirty version is "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."

Your vision has to be 20/30 or worse (The enemy of "good" is "perfect." So if you have good vision already, but want perfect vision (20/20 or better) the risks of an operation outweigh the theoretical benefits...)

If you are near sighted, then your refractive error cannot be more than -8.0 diopters. (Because then Lasix would be a better option for you medically wise, but that would disqualify your from flight in the Naval services)

If you are far sighted, you have to be less than 6.0 diopters.

If you have any astigmatism (not a perfectly round, basketball shaped eyeball) it must less than 4.00 .

Lots more info on this webpage http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/ophthalmology.htm#CRS

Is that clear as mud?

Rugger

 

[NeoCortex]

I"m in the same boat as UI, just way earlier in the process. My application is in, and I had PRK. My understanding, from the recuiter, is that my medical info will be looked at with my FINDOCS.

PS: Rugger, the max vision req is 20/40 corrected to 20/20, with 20/20 near.

 

[andrew]

I personally would be damn sure you got the waiver before signing anything. I do know that you can do this. Because once your in your in and it would sure suck to be DQd from SNA because they did not waiver your PRK. Y

 

[andrew]

If it has been over 3 months since you have gotten the PRK: 1) you get all of your pre and post opp info. and have a follow up exam 2) get a flight surgeon to check and waiver your eyes. 3) they then send it off to be officialy waivered 4) should take 1-3 months to be waivered 5) then you can not get screwed!!!

 

[andrew]

UINAVY-
You might be correct but I also did this 3 years ago. It was for LASIK though. But an Admiral helped me through the process and we followed the exact steps that PRK applicants were following. Back then we thought we might have a chance of getting the LASIK waivered (this particular Admirals son an F-18 driver had LASIK done but after he was in the fleet) but obviously there was no chance in hell. Anyhow, most of the active Navy officers that I asked for info. said "be damn sure that you have your waiver in hand before signing anything". I understand that you were willing to do anything to complete your goal and lucky for you it worked out. In my case, if I would have followed this advice I would be in the Navy for 8 years doing something that I did not want to do. I am not saying that they will not waiver PRK(will not waiver LASIK for SNA) because I believe it is becoming a standard procedure but with so many competitive applications and such little demand for SNA'S compared to 3 years ago you might want to wait 1-3 months compared to signing up for an 8 year commitment that might stick you in a job that you do not want. Trust me I did everything short of knocking on the White House door to get into the aviation program. Luckily for me the Army officially waivered my LASIK and I am going to be able to fly in the military after all. Yes I know this is not the Navy but when its your last whoo ra! for a dream to fly in the military you have to take it and not look back. So my advice still stands to make damn sure you get the waiver before you go signing any dotted line. And yes I know this can be done dont let anyone tell you it cannot. Good luck and "kick the tires and light the fires".

 

[Rugger]

The Devil is in the Details

NeoCortex -

20/40, correctable to 20/20 far/near is the standard for SNA's.

20/30 is the BEST your vision can be for someone in the Navy who wants to get PRK done by a Navy laser center, and later apply for flight training.

Once your are designated, this all changes too.

Rugger

I"m in the same boat as UI, just way earlier in the process. My application is in, and I had PRK. My understanding, from the recuiter, is that my medical info will be looked at with my FINDOCS.

PS: Rugger, the max vision req is 20/40 corrected to 20/20, with 20/20 near.

 

[NeoCortex]

Ah, I see what you are saying. My misunderstanding.

 

[andrew]

UINAVY-
Yes, you are definately correct. I am sorry for putting bad info. on the board. In your case you went about it the right way. It was the same for me. They wanted me to go ahead and start OCS and promised that if anything happened, which would DQ me, then I was automatically out no ifs ands or butts!!! But in my case I was about 98% sure I would be DQ'd due to LASIK. In your case(PRK) you were about 98% sure you were going to get the waiver approved and yes I would have done exactly what you did. Hell you would have a better chance of a condom breaking. Anyhow, sorry about that and I sure am jealous and wish you the best of luck!! PS I dont start for a few more months so if you hear of any news about LASIK from the inside please email me. I have talked to the head of the refractive surgery team and he claims it could be 6 years. For the Army I was supposedly in a pool of 100 aviation applicants they are doing this study with. So I figure it is only a matter of time before the NAVY/MARINES/CG/AF start a study with civilian applicants. GOOD LUCK and I do apologize for the bad gouge I just want people to cover their ass because I was selected then had the (LASIK) surgery in secret and will regret it for years to come. And all that because I did not research the matter and cover my own ass.