NPQ for LASIK after MEPS - Unsure Exactly What the Issue Is

[Hybrid55]

Hi all,

So I just went through MEPS and everything checked out with my eyes- however, my recruiter just sent me a letter from N3M this morning, which NPQed me for LASIK and stated "A waiver of the physical standards IS PENDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. It then requested the following:

"a current Opthalmology evaluation to include a dilated retinal exam with topography, and eye refractions. Also they requested comments on keratoconus, lattice degeneration and any eye pathology."

Is this normal? Sorry I am a bit uneducated on the medical terms here, but I felt that I provided every single piece of paperwork that the doctors at my LASIK place could have given me for pre-op and post-op tests and appointments. Does this mean I should go back and request that they perform this evaluation?

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you!

 

[BusyBee604]

Hi all,

So I just went through MEPS and everything checked out with my eyes- however, my recruiter just sent me a letter from N3M this morning, which NPQed me for LASIK and stated "A waiver of the physical standards IS PENDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. It then requested the following:

"a current Opthalmology evaluation to include a dilated retinal exam with topography, and eye refractions. Also they requested comments on keratoconus, lattice degeneration and any eye pathology."

Is this normal?

Normal or not, it's what they want to PQ you.

Please let me know your thoughts.

You have to satisfy N3M to be PQ'd, so recommend you start compiling their requested documentation, so you can submit your completed package ASAP!
BzB

 

[TimeBomb]

Hybrid55,
BzB is correct. N3M makes the rules for what they want to see to recommend a waiver. It is up to you to get that information to them if you want them to consider your request. Make sure your information addresses each of the points N3M has cited, otherwise they'll bounce it back to you.
R/

 

[Hybrid55]

Thank you both for your replies! I went to the doctors and had them address the exact questions of N3M. In the latest N3M letter they said the following:

A waiver is disapproved. Applicant fails to meet standards in MANMED Chapter 15, Article 15.

NOT QUALIFIED for 1390/1370 due to deficient depth perception and lattice degeneration.

Can any doc's provide some insight? I have had zero complications and the doctor at my latest appointment said my eyes look great? I don't understand this. My doctor also just did the depth perception test and I passed perfectly to 40 ARC seconds. N3M has these forms and is still giving me push back on depth perception. For the lattice degeneration I don't understand this. My doctor's letter said: "His dilated fundus exam was significant for lattice degeneration with no associated retinal holes, breaks, tears or detachments." I think she worded this strangely and made it sound worse? Because she said it looked fine after dialation and thought there shouldn't be any issues? Should I have her clarify in another letter.

Please tell me this isn't the end of the line?

Thank you in advance!

 

[TimeBomb]

Hybrid55,
I would recommend contacting your recruiter and ask him/her if N3M could shed some light on the deficient depth perception. I don't know what their standards may be, or if the testing method your ophthalmologist used is what they were looking for.

A more significant problem is the second diagnosis. Lattice degeneration is a retinal abnormality that predisposes you to retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness. Since your doc has put that diagnosis in writing, it will be very difficult to un-ring that bell. You may want to get a second opinion from a retinal specialist to try and do some damage control, or even refute the original diagnosis. Again, contacting N3M to see if they'll even entertain a waiver request if you get an opinion by a retinal specialist might be a good first step. Any disease/abnormality of the retina is disqualifying for commissioning.
R/

 

[exNavyOffRec]

This is a general statement, but sometimes civilian docs will say "this will cause no problems" and that may be true but the military may view things differently, while the chances are something may not cause problems the military may be unwilling to take that chance so people have a condition that will keep them out but that condition may never be an issue during their life.

 

[andre lane]

I need help! I got Lasik surgery and I see very well 20/15 each eye with a slight astigmatism of -0.25 and -0.75 before the surgery my astigmatism was -2.50 and -3.25 in the other eye. I looked up the requirements on astigmatism and the highest you can have is -3.00 can this be waviable by N3M?