No more contact lense waivers?

[whitesoxnation]

I had a PLC-A contract with a contact lense waiver last year, but broke my ankle.

My ankles all healed and I passed my PFT, so I went to get my physical... one Dr (eye DR) told me that he saw they arent doing it anymore.

Another flight surgeon said that, based off of what he knew, I wouldnt get it. His charts said the 20/400 req was for designees... not applicants... but that he would contact a higher up to get more info.

Anyone have any info on this?

 

[Slammer2]

I was down in Pensacola in December for my flight physical. They said that they had just gotten rid of the SCL waiver. I dont know what bearing that has on people who are already winged, or people who already went through the program with the SCL waiver, but as far as applicants/candidates/etc. they arent giving them out any more. Theres info on the NOMI site about how they pulled that waiver. Cant really say more than that.

 

[whitesoxnation]

I was down in Pensacola in December for my flight physical. They said that they had just gotten rid of the SCL waiver. I dont know what bearing that has on people who are already winged, or people who already went through the program with the SCL waiver, but as far as applicants/candidates/etc. they arent giving them out any more. Theres info on the NOMI site about how they pulled that waiver. Cant really say more than that.

dammit!

Anyone know how this will impact me (had the contact lense waiver, broke ankle at OCS)

I just googled 'soft contact lense waiver' and this is what I found (its on page 23)

http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/pdfs/Waiver Guide - Ophthalmology.pdf

 

[thull]

hmm...sounds like a lot of waivers aren't even being considered anymore. Must be a ton of applicants.

 

[Slammer2]

Well, what the flight surgeons told me is that PRK is pretty much the only shot you have at this point when applying - if you're trying to switch from an NFO to Pilot contract.



http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/pdfs/Waiver Guide - Ophthalmology.pdf

Page 23 at the top says that its being changed and possibly deleted.


I wasnt able to find anything in writing about it being gone, but I also didnt look too in depth. My info came from the flight docs telling me and also the OSO office.

 

[Slammer2]

hmm...sounds like a lot of waivers aren't even being considered anymore. Must be a ton of applicants.

I asked the doctor why they pulled the SCL and his response was something like we got together last month and decided that those standards were put in place for a reason so we pulled it. Dont know why, but man its a fun journey!

 

[whitesoxnation]

I asked the doctor why they pulled the SCL and his response was something like we got together last month and decided that those standards were put in place for a reason so we pulled it. Dont know why, but man its a fun journey!

Can you re-word that about standards, doesent make any sense to me

This is all so confusing... when I got my vision checked by the machine you put your forehead into, my distance vision was 20/70, close up 20/50... then when I did it on the charts my distance was 20/200 and my close up 20/20....

 

[Slammer2]

Not really sure. Just asked him out of curiosity about why they pulled it since one of the guys down there with me was trying to get one...he just pretty much told me what I wrote above. Again, just a bit of convo coming from one of the docs down there.

 

[whitesoxnation]

I contacted my OSO office, and they confirmed that there are no more contact lense waivers.

They did say, however, that I might have a chance because I had a contact lense waiver before.

 

[BarrettRC8]

Well, I hope this doesn't effect me. I was previously approved for a SCL waiver over the summer, but have not yet submitted my packet for OCC.

 

[theblakeness]

When the NAMI website first indicated that it was under review, I contacted my OSO to see what kind of bearing it would have on me, since I went to PLC last summer under the SCL waiver.

He told me that it was infact going away, but I would be ok because I was already selected.

 

[Slammer2]

Just a thought - for those of you grandfathered in, I would try to see if your OSO could contact NAMI to make certain that it still applies to you. It might save you from possibly getting a big surprise in the near future. I hope that everyone who got one gets to keep it. If not, keep doing what you gotta do.

 

[wink]

A waiver is granted at the discretion of appropriate authorities. Therefore, it can be rescinded by the same authorities. While the fair thing to do would be allowing those that have the SCL waiver and have been selected to continue, do not be surprised if it changes. Absolutely check with your recruiters and then again before you ship out. If a guy has been commissioned and is in the pipeline it will be unlikely he will lose the waiver. Shouldn't be a problem because they have invested money in him and corrections, via eye glasses, have been permitted for designees for years. Worse case is they tell the SNA wearing SCLs to start wearing glasses.

 

[whitesoxnation]

A waiver is granted at the discretion of appropriate authorities. Therefore, it can be rescinded by the same authorities. While the fair thing to do would be allowing those that have the SCL waiver and have been selected to continue, do not be surprised if it changes. Absolutely check with your recruiters and then again before you ship out. If a guy has been commissioned and is in the pipeline it will be unlikely he will lose the waiver. Shouldn't be a problem because they have invested money in him and corrections, via eye glasses, have been permitted for designees for years. Worse case is they tell the SNA wearing SCLs to start wearing glasses.

In your opinion, what would the odds/probability be for them rescinding a waiver for someone who isn't commissioned yet.

Also, does anyone know if wearing contacts/glasses DQ's you from any acft types? I've been searching and haven't found a definitive yes/no answer.

 

[guim13]

I was in the program until it was cancelled. My oso said that if you already had signed the contract then you were grandfathered, otherwise you are SOL. Good news is if you are close they will allow you to get a waiver. My navy recruiter put mine in the other day. My vision is 20/40 with a astigmatism of 1.75. Anyone know if the Jan Navy board met?