Would this disqualify me?

[LoneSailor]

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Optomologist to get an eye exam. The Navy doctor did a full check on my eyes. In the process my eyes were dilated so the doc could take a look at the surface of my retina. Basically to make a long story short, the doc found a crescent shape scar on my left pupil. I have already been to 2 physicians to get opinions on it. It turns out its called chorrio-retinal scarring or something like that. Well I was reffered, again, to another specialist and I am slated to get it checked out tommorrow.

Right now my vision is great, and I was told that the scarring will/does not affect my vision at all. The worst that could happen is I could get a detatched retina, only if it goes untreated for a long period of time. The scar/tear is treatable by laser surgery. I've been told the process is painless, and basically there is no recovery time. I could get the surgery and be able to drive out in the road in the same day with no problem.

Bottom line: will this at all affect my eligibility as a naval aviator??

 

[ben]

not sure if it will help, but try here:

http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/ophthalmology.htm

 

[zab1001]

I'm sure the Navy Doc who did the exam knows a flight surgeon somewhere. Ask him/her for help in determining the effect this wil have. Hell, ask 'em to call NOMI/NAMI in P-Cola.

 

[NeoCortex]

I'm with Zab, if the doc doesn't know a flight surgeon, talk to your recuiter and get an apointment with one or with a military eye doc

 

[LoneSailor]

Well I just got through with another check up from a civillian specialist. He told me it's just a scar, and it doesn't really need treatment. My eye was probobly injured a long time ago without me noticing it and in time it heald by itself. Weird but I really don't remember ever having an eye trauma or anything. I have the photo's they took of the scar in my retina. It looks so weird, it almost looks like a caterpilar in the shape of a crescent

I guess I can breathe a sigh of relief. :icon_mi_1

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[Rotorhead]

You can talk to a Mr. Fritz Koppy at NOMI. He is the one that handles waivers for such issues. I used to work with him alot when I was the Aviation Student Control Officer in Pensacola. Possiblilty of a detached retina is probably enough for them to not want to even take a chance on you. If you think about it, why would they have to? They have plenty of applicants with perfectly healthy eyes, so they dont have to take any chances. Thats usually the stance they take at NOMI, especially when it comes to eyes.

Good Luck

 

[Jaxs170]

You can talk to a Mr. Fritz Koppy at NOMI. He is the one that handles waivers for such issues. I used to work with him alot when I was the Aviation Student Control Officer in Pensacola. Possiblilty of a detached retina is probably enough for them to not want to even take a chance on you. If you think about it, why would they have to? They have plenty of applicants with perfectly healthy eyes, so they dont have to take any chances. Thats usually the stance they take at NOMI, especially when it comes to eyes.

Good Luck

I'll say upfront this was from about 6-8 years ago, BUT, a guy in my ROTC class had a brother who went to NAMI and they found a scar on his retina and he got NPQ'd Could things have changed since then, definitely, so get it checked out by a military doc.

 

[Fongabonga]

I was found to have a TINY(~0.5mm) cornea scar, about 1 o'clock and way out of my line of vision, had to get a consul. I was told that a cornea scratch/scar is a disqualifying trait in itself unless waivered, so I crossed my fingers, had good support from the flight surgeon who gave me the consul and P'cola approved the waiver. What a relief, you basically have to just cross your fingers and hope whoever evaluates it for your waiver can give you a strong recommendation for a waiver. I dont know if you are Marines for Navy but I know for Marines, we had to go through a flight phyical to P'cola standards after finishing OCS prior to TBS. Hope this helps and good luck.

Semper Fi

 

[LoneSailor]

You can talk to a Mr. Fritz Koppy at NOMI. He is the one that handles waivers for such issues. I used to work with him alot when I was the Aviation Student Control Officer in Pensacola. Possiblilty of a detached retina is probably enough for them to not want to even take a chance on you. If you think about it, why would they have to? They have plenty of applicants with perfectly healthy eyes, so they dont have to take any chances. Thats usually the stance they take at NOMI, especially when it comes to eyes.

Good Luck

How do I get in contact with him?

 

[Rotorhead]

I don't have the number anymore. Call NAS Pcola base info, ask for a number to NOMI, then go from there.

Good Luck

 

[Road Program]

I had TWO flight physicals before I submitted my package, and the second was from a pilot/flight surgeon...I guess medicine wasn't enough for him, so he got his wings. Anyhoo...on my first physical they found a little scar on my left retina. Sound familiar? It went into my Sr-43 or whatever the physical form is called and no mention was made of it. I DID get a waiver for having an astigmatism, but only for NFO...no pilot for me. When I went to get my second physical (let's just say it took me a while to get SWO qual'd) from the fighter doc, I told him about the scar and he noted it in my physical and I've heard nothing about it since and that was back in October of 2003. Now my package is in Millington and my detailer said to call him Friday. I'm doing my best not to look at airplanes or think about flying or getting my hopes up at all...don't want to jinx it.

Ok, all that being said, I don't think you have a whole lot to worry about. As far as your retina detaching...do you have any other scars on your body? You ever notice how a scar is tougher than the rest of your skin? Do you really think that's going to be the first thing to tear in your eyeball? Nope, probably the last. Then again, I'm not NOMI...but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.