The Eyes have it - All things Vision-related

[szalona]

Thanks for the info.

The possible long-term negative effects just concern me since I currently do not have any issues with my eyes (besides not meeting the SNA standard) and wouldn't consider the surgery if I wasn't trying to fly. That said, it'll be worth it if it means getting to fly in the Navy.

Now I just need to get my recruiter on board since I did technically pass at MEPS.

I got a waiver and got my medical approved before I had surgery (20/40 with civilian optometrist), so I submitted my package and got the a-okay on everything prior to surgery. My recruiter was very on board with everything, so fingers crossed for you haha. The timeline for SNA seems to be pretty backlogged, so if you have the time, I’d recommend looking into surgery.

Also, what was your recovery timeline like? I’m in grad school currently and I’m planning on getting the surgery done at the end of this month. I’m anticipating taking a little over a week off for it. Hopefully I’ll be good enough to go back in person after that. I’m also thinking I might be able to watch some lectures online during the week I’m away. Does that sound plausible to you?

Recovery with that minimal of a correction was very swift. I used my laptop with sunglasses around day 3/4ish. I’d try and take 72 hours off with no/minimal screen time just to avoid eye strain. 100% very doable though! I’d just avoid doing a lot of activities before you get your bandage contact lenses removed.

 

[Jpl100]

I got a waiver and got my medical approved before I had surgery (20/40 with civilian optometrist), so I submitted my package and got the a-okay on everything prior to surgery. My recruiter was very on board with everything, so fingers crossed for you haha. The timeline for SNA seems to be pretty backlogged, so if you have the time, I’d recommend looking into surgery.



Recovery with that minimal of a correction was very swift. I used my laptop with sunglasses around day 3/4ish. I’d try and take 72 hours off with no/minimal screen time just to avoid eye strain. 100% very doable though! I’d just avoid doing a lot of activities before you get your bandage contact lenses removed.

It was my understanding that you could only submit an application after getting the waiver 6 months post-surgery. Were you able to submit an application before the surgery because you were technically passing at MEPS?

 

[Mouselovr]

The possible long-term negative effects just concern me since I currently do not have any issues with my eyes (besides not meeting the SNA standard) and wouldn't consider the surgery if I wasn't trying to fly. That said, it'll be worth it if it means getting to fly in the Navy.

Now I just need to get my recruiter on board since I did technically pass at MEPS

The question I’d ask yourself is what is your vision on average? Sometimes our eyes are off, don’t respond well to certain tests or are done incorrectly.

20/30 is a perfectly acceptable range to pass the NAMI vision test. You’ll just need to wear corrective lenses in the AC. 20/50, you’ll need the surgery.

Not to fear monger as it’s a minority, but I’ve had a lot of friends drop/be dropped from the flight program, even post winging. Some had LASIK/PRK exclusively to become military pilots. Almost all of those individuals had very poor eyesight prior to surgery, so the surgery was life changing regardless of their shift in career.

So I’d recommend asking yourself “is the risk of this surgery worth it for a career that *may* not pan out?”

If yes, then the surgery/waiver are very straightforward.
If no, id recommend getting your eyes re-checked for peace of mind.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I got a waiver and got my medical approved before I had surgery (20/40 with civilian optometrist), so I submitted my package and got the a-okay on everything prior to surgery. My recruiter was very on board with everything, so fingers crossed for you haha. The timeline for SNA seems to be pretty backlogged, so if you have the time, I’d recommend looking into surgery.



Recovery with that minimal of a correction was very swift. I used my laptop with sunglasses around day 3/4ish. I’d try and take 72 hours off with no/minimal screen time just to avoid eye strain. 100% very doable though! I’d just avoid doing a lot of activities before you get your bandage contact lenses removed.

It was my understanding that you could only submit an application after getting the waiver 6 months post-surgery. Were you able to submit an application before the surgery because you were technically passing at MEPS?

When a person has surgery after getting a PQ letter they have to disclose the surgery to the recruiter, if a person was selected for SNA then once NRC is notified they will issue a TNPQ letter until the time frame has passed and there is medical documentation saying the recovery is complete, then a new PQ letter is issued. This is for any medical event not just vision correction surgery.

If the recruiter has knowledge of an applicant having surgery and does not disclose this info to his COC that recruiter can then be in the hot seat.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

The doctor recommended PRK over LASIK since I compete in BJJ and train boxing/MMA regularly. Also, apparently PRK has a lower chance of developing dry eye and nighttime effects compared to LASIK (even though the chances of both are small).

I had LASIK and my recovery was fast, it has been years but I do remember talking to people that has PRK thinking I am glad I didn't go that route after hearing about their recovery.