NFO Vision Waiver for Astigmatism

[teejmc]

I am an NFO applicant with a few questions about the vision requirements. I had two separate separate civilian eye doctors perform examinations concludimg that my vision was 20/30 left eye with spherical -.25 and cylinder -3.00, right eye 20/40 spherical -.25 and cylinder -3.00. Another doctor concluded the same distance acuity and spherical correction with a cylinder of -3.25 left and -3.50 right. according to the second doctors examination I would not qualify for NFO. keep note that these examinations were performed only a couple days apart also that my vision is correctable to 20/20. It seems as though the method of determining refractive error is subjective with room for patient and doctor error.

what are the chances these numbers are wrong?

If it is found that my astigmatism puts me over the allowed limit is there any chance at all for a waiver?

when I go to MEPs are they going to test me for refraction?

if MEPs gives me the thumbs up and then I go to NAMI and my astigmatism is slightly over the limit will I be NPQd?

Is there an option of PRK with pre-op numbers like that?

Is there anyone out there with distance acuity similar to mine that has been NPQd for refractive errors?

 

[ea6bflyr]

I am an NFO applicant with a few questions about the vision requirements. I had two separate separate civilian eye doctors perform examinations concludimg that my vision was 20/30 left eye with spherical -.25 and cylinder -3.00, right eye 20/40 spherical -.25 and cylinder -3.00. Another doctor concluded the same distance acuity and spherical correction with a cylinder of -3.25 left and -3.50 right. according to the second doctors examination I would not qualify for NFO. keep note that these examinations were performed only a couple days apart also that my vision is correctable to 20/20. It seems as though the method of determining refractive error is subjective with room for patient and doctor error.

what are the chances these numbers are wrong?

If it is found that my astigmatism puts me over the allowed limit is there any chance at all for a waiver?

when I go to MEPs are they going to test me for refraction?

if MEPs gives me the thumbs up and then I go to NAMI and my astigmatism is slightly over the limit will I be NPQd?

Is there an option of PRK with pre-op numbers like that?

Is there anyone out there with distance acuity similar to mine that has been NPQd for refractive errors?

1.8 APPLICANT STUDENT NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICER STANDARDS
Must meet Class I standards, except as follows:
Visual Acuity, Distant and Near: No limit uncorrected. Must correct to 20/20 each eye. If the AFVT or Goodlite letters are used, a score of 7/10 on the 20/20 line constitutes meeting visual acuity requirements.
Refractive Limits: Manifest refraction must not exceed +/-8.00 diopters in any meridian (sum of sphere and cylinder) with astigmatism no greater than -3.00 diopters. Refraction must be recorded in minus cylinder format. Must have no more than 3.50 diopters of anisometropia.
Oculomotor Balance: NOHOSH.
Depth Perception: Not Required.
Slit Lamp Examination: Required, and must demonstrate no pathology.
Hearing: Same as SNA Applicant.
Dental Readiness: All Applicants must be Dental Class 2 or better.
Anthropometrics and Height/Weight: Refer to NAVAIRINST 3710.9C and OPNAVINST 3710.37A.
Reading Aloud Test: Required if speech impediment exists or history of speech therapy or facial fracture. See MMD paragraph 15-95 or Physical Exam section of ARWG for text.

Are you certain that it's 3.XX astigmatism? I'd recommend that you take the SNFO Physical Standards to your eye doc to make sure the doc is speaking the same language.