The Eyes have it - All things Vision-related

[wink]

Thread resurrect... the link states that...

"SNA APPLICANTS: SNA applicants with excessive refractive error and disqualifying uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA), no worse than 20/400, who demonstrate successful fit and habitual wear (at least six months) of approved soft contact lenses and meet all other visual standards can apply for a waiver. Uncorrected Visual Acuity (UCVA) should be measured by the Armed Forces Vision Tester (AFVT), Optec 2300, B-VAT, or similar charts with multiple 20/400 letter capabilities. Using the Snellen 20/200 "E" is not an acceptable method of assessing uncorrected visual acuity of 20/400. A history of successful contact lens wear does not guarantee the granting of waiver. "


The way I read that (I did good on the english comprehension section of the ASTB :icon_tong ), I can go to MEPS/NAMI/Wherever and, being a Soft Lens wearer of about 4 years, get a waiver. That seems too easy. No way would they let me be fly with 20/350 and contact lenses in, would they? Or is this in regards to PRK waivers?

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Oh, I'm interested in going Coastie... I assume same standards as they're the same aviators?

I have fallen down on the job. I have not yet talked to the powers that be back at CNRC. The question is whether you will actuially get selected with the contact waiver for an OCS SNA quota. In the past I have come out strongly about the vision issue. But now I feel I need more info on the NAMI soft contact waiver. My guess is they are not applying it to OCS types. Haven't heard of anyone getting selected with contacts yet, and the waiver has been on the street for months. I'll post when I know more.

BTW, if you want the USCG, they may very well be accepting the waiver. Ask them.

 

[wink]

contact lens gouge for navy applicants

Finally I have gotten some word on this soft cantact lens waiver. Believe it or not, CNRC is way behind the eight ball on this. Up until now there was no policy on whether they were going to accept the waiver. It now looks like there will be a message on the street in a few weeks telling recruiters how to procede. It looks like the contact lens waiver will be accpeted but with a twist. Unlike PRK, or corrective lenses for NFO applicants, the contact lens waiver will be considered as part of the "whole man" review of the board. It will be part of the competive process. In other words, if two guys are competing for one spot and have indentical applications but one guy has natural 20/20 or even PRK, he will get the nod over the guy with a contact lens waiver. This is just gouge, though from a very good source.

 

[Wankertank]

That's great news, Wink...this will probably make SNA more competitive than ever. Good luck to all the new SNA applicants <===including me =).

 

[olcyck]

I was pro-rec'ed for pilot about 2 weeks ago. I just got my physical and my eyes were 20/30 and 2/50 at MEPS. They were slightly worse at my own doctor's office at 20/40 and 20/60. No one seems concerned about this so far. As a matter of fact, 3 different recruiters told me "quit my job and start packing". I am very concerned about getting to Pensacola and not passing the eye exam. What exactly will happen if I get to OCS and take their physical and my eyes are not good enough for pilot?

 

[wink]

I was pro-rec'ed for pilot about 2 weeks ago. I just got my physical and my eyes were 20/30 and 2/50 at MEPS. They were slightly worse at my own doctor's office at 20/40 and 20/60. No one seems concerned about this so far. As a matter of fact, 3 different recruiters told me "quit my job and start packing". I am very concerned about getting to Pensacola and not passing the eye exam. What exactly will happen if I get to OCS and take their physical and my eyes are not good enough for pilot?

If you fail the eye test at NAMI you will be lucky if they offer you NFO. They may just send you home. I can't believe your recruiters are not concerned about a 20/50 eye. The limit is 20/40 uncorrected. I predict you will get shot down by the med board and not get a final select. Better consider your options.

 

[RHPF]

Yea, I normally have 20/20 and 20/25 (L/R). At MEPS I had 20/20 and 20/40 in part because the guy was barking at me. And everything on this post is right (hydration, rest, etc). Anyways, even at that my recruiter was concerned about it. I hate to be negative (really) but I would be concerned as well. At this point I am concerned about the depth perception test, so I know the feeling.

Maybe you can work something out for PRK? Or get a contact waiver?

 

[Ironnads]

I was 20/30 at MEPS and NPQ'd at NOMI in 2002. After PRK and a couple of years I made it back only to be threatened with disqualification for some other B.S. Luckily I made it through the second time but the bottom line is this. Many people at OCS will tell you that you have nothing to fear by going to the doc. These people are all full of shit. If you are in pain and not going to die, suck it up and press on.

 

[Kickflip89]

OK, so I had my eyes checked out today and I'm a little worried. Here were the results

My distant vision was 20/30 each eye, near vision was 20/20, color / depth was fine, etc. Everything was great EXCEPT the following:

My RX when all was said and done was -1.25 diopters, and I have both myopia AND astigmatism. Nami says that for myopia, the refraction has to be no greater than -1.5, but for astigmatism, no greater than -1.00.

So....I may not qualify for SNA, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know if I can e-mail someone at NAMI to help me figure out whether I should just apply for NFO or if I still have a shot at SNA?

 

[wink]

OK, so I had my eyes checked out today and I'm a little worried. Here were the results

My distant vision was 20/30 each eye, near vision was 20/20, color / depth was fine, etc. Everything was great EXCEPT the following:

My RX when all was said and done was -1.25 diopters, and I have both myopia AND astigmatism. Nami says that for myopia, the refraction has to be no greater than -1.5, but for astigmatism, no greater than -1.00.

So....I may not qualify for SNA, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know if I can e-mail someone at NAMI to help me figure out whether I should just apply for NFO or if I still have a shot at SNA?

Have your recruiter check into that. That is his job. He may not have the phone numbers or email addresses at his finger tips so be prepared to offer them. Just say you are concerned and was thinking of contacting NAMI at these numbers but thought it would be more appropriate coming from him. See what he says.

 

[Kickflip89]

Maybe if I started wearing contact lenses NOW, then in June, when I said I could report to OCS, I would eligible for a contact lense waiver?

I guess I should start doing that anyhow. There are two things that give me hope:

1) I have no idea what the refraction section of the eye exam means. It says +.25 - 1.25 for one eye, which is a total of -1.00, and +.50 - 1.25 for the other, which is a total of -.75

2) These refraction settings gave me 20/15 in both eyes, and for NAMI it only has to correct to 20/20

Anyway, yeah I'll have to talk to my recruiter and try to get this stuff straightened out. Thanks for the advice Wink.

 

[Flyboy_D85]

Just a little advice and you can take it or leave it, but about a year ago i was seeing about 20/50, I really wasn't not into the PRK, so i started taking these vision formula pills with lutein. When i went to take my physical for SNA i was seeing 20/20 near and distant. Not saying that it will work for everyone but i am medically qualified for.SNA now. It doesn't hurt to try but it worked for me.

 

[joboy_2.0]

I can agree about the supplements. I take bilberry and lutein every day, but I might try one of those vision-specific formulas.

What has worked for me is using reading glasses for all computer/reading work. This reduces eyestrain when doing close-work which causes myopia. I even wear a low + lens while walking around campus. This tends to make my eye attempt to reverse the blur so that when I take my glasses off, my vision is razor sharp.

This is the same effect that your eyes get used to minus lenses. This way, your eyes get used to plus lenses, except this way, your distance vision gets better, not worse. The same effect in the opposite way.

My vision has improved from 20/40 in my left eye and 20/25 in my right at my last opthamologist appointment to about 20/25 in my left eye and 20/15 in my right eye. Again, not saying this will work for everyone, but I've read a lot about pilots doing this and if it's a coincidence, I don't care. I'll dance on my head until OCS if it keeps my vision better than 20/40.

 

[Top_Gun_101]

I got 20/20 at MEPS, but on the civilian eye doctor i got 20/16 which is heck alot better than MEPS, .... and about the depth perception test at MEPS...take your time.

I signed in for the NAVY as an ABE (Aviation Boatwains MAte)...I'm on my long path on getting the wings of Gold

I'll use my G.I. bill to get a BS degree in Aviation and i fail at OCS, I'll fly civilian airCRAP >SO FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION AT OCS<

 

[Brett327]

I'm on my long path on getting the wings of Gold

You can say that again.

Brett

 

[MasterBates]

I got 20/20 at MEPS, but on the civilian eye doctor i got 20/16 which is heck alot better than MEPS, .... and about the depth perception test at MEPS...take your time.

I signed in for the NAVY as an ABE (Aviation Boatwains MAte)...I'm on my long path on getting the wings of Gold

I'll use my G.I. bill to get a BS degree in Aviation and i fail at OCS, I'll fly civilian airCRAP >SO FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION AT OCS<

Just out of curiosity.. Many on this website advised strongly against enlisting if Pilot/NFO is your goal...

Not bashing you, but why did you go the long, difficult and not good odds of making it way, when those that had done that warned you?

Nothing wrong with being an ABE, but I am curious if you goal is Pilot or NFO why you chose that anyways..