What eye surgeries disqualify you from the military?

U.S. Military begins conducting laser eye surgeries. Air Force and some other branches permit PRK surgery. Candidates who had LASIK performed on them were automatically disqualified from consideration. PRK is accepted by almost all military branches.

What eye problems disqualify you from the military?

However, for entrance into USMA or Army ROTC programs, the following conditions are disqualifying: (1) Astigmatism, all types over three diopters. (2) Hyperopia over eight diopters spherical equivalent. (3) Myopia over eight diopters spherical equivalent.

What eye surgery does the military accept?

PRK and LASIK eye surgeries, permitted by the military for the last two decades, have enabled many people to join and do specialized jobs who otherwise could not have qualified.

Can you join the military after having LASIK eye surgery?

Answer: The Department of Defense allows individuals who have had the LASIK procedure to receive a medical waiver and enter military service. You will need to provide copies of all medical records and at least twelve months has to have elapsed since the surgery.

Why is LASIK disqualifying for the military?

Does LASIK disqualify you for military service? Not really, but a waiver for LASIK may be required to enlist or resume active duty. While you cannot return to work immediately after surgery, you should after full recovery without post-operative complications.

What could disqualify you from joining Army or even the military

Is myopia disqualifying military?

The exclusion criteria for entry into the USAF is −8.00D of myopia without a waiver, which significantly limits the prevalence of high myopes and ultimately the total number of myopic participants present in this study population.

Why does the military prefer PRK?

PRK has a long track record of success as a vehicle for delivering spectacle-free vision for armed forces personnel who deploy into conditions where glasses or contact lenses would be a handicap.

Can you join Army with eye surgery?

Rules in the Indian Army

After any surgery for eye correction, you must have a healthy retina. With a 6/6 vision, INDIAN ARMY will qualify to join any branch. Except for Army Aviation. However, because the maximum age for joining NDA is 19, the Indian Army does not permit LASIK surgery.

Is eye surgery allowed in Army?

Candidates for the National Defence Academy (NDA), Navy, and Air Force, as well as Other Rank (OR), etc., cannot go for LASIK / PRK at the entrance level (JCOs). Candidates who have had LASIK or PRK will not be accepted for aircrew jobs in the Army.

Does laser eye surgery disqualify you?

According to the American Refractive Surgery Council (ARSC), 15 to 20 percent of patients are considered ineligible for the surgery. Certain factors, such as pre-existing conditions or unstable prescriptions, can disqualify you from LASIK.

Does the Air Force accept laser eye surgery?

Refractive surgeries, better known as LASIK and PRK are fully covered for Airmen meeting procedure requirements (Illustration by Air Force Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base).

Can you join the military with astigmatism?

Yes you can join. When you sign up, you will have a physical, part of it is an eye exam. At worst, you will have to wear glasses to correct the astigmatism. The army will provide any glasses needed.

Can you join the military with corrective lenses?

Poor vision typically will not limit your ability to serve in the U.S. Military, so long as your vision problem can be suitably corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision correction surgery.

What does 20 70 vision look like?

The ratio measurement of vision describes visual acuity, or the sharpness of vision, at 20 feet from an object. For example, having 20/70 vision means that you must be at 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 70 feet.

Why would the military reject you?

The reasons the Army won't accept you are numerous; they include age and weight restrictions, medical and criminal histories, and even certain tattoos, according to the team at We Are the Mighty. Similar reasons exist for the other branches, as well.

Can I join Army with myopia?

A candidate should be able to read 6/6 in a distant vision chart with each eye with or without glasses. Myopia should not be more than 3.5D and hypermetropia not more than 3.5D including Astigmatism.

Does laser eye surgery disqualify you from being a military pilot?

Before 2007, candidates who underwent LASIK or PRK became disqualified. But after the Air Force revoked this rule and changed their policy. Prior to this rule, candidates who had laser eye surgery were not eligible for Air Force aviator roles. But as of now, LASIK treated candidates can undertake aviator roles.

Is PRK eye surgery detectable?

Since there is no flap in PRK, it is not possible to detect it or diagnose on slit lamp examination. In rare cases if there is some residual scar, that can be seen on slit lamp examination. The only way to detect an eye that has undergone PRK is by doing an advanced test called a Corneal Topography.

How can I join the Army with eye problems?

Can I join the British Army with laser eye surgery?

You must be at least 22 years of age at your application. The total pre-operative refractive error was not outside the limits for selection i.e. +6 or -6 dioptre in either eye and the best spectacle corrected visual acuity was within selection standards.

Is LASIK surgery allowed in British Army?

Vision only in one eye. Inability to close one eye at a time. Squint or squint surgery in the previous six months. Laser eye surgery will not be accepted.

Can you join the Royal Navy after laser eye surgery?

For those that have undergone laser eye surgery, they must be over the age of 22 on application and months must have elapsed post procedure. Ear, nose and throat disorders Ongoing ear, nose, throat or sinus disease.

What disqualifies you for PRK?

Patients with diseases like keratoconus or glaucoma will not be candidates for PRK. If you have scarring from eye injuries or botched eye surgeries you also are likely to not be a candidate. Eye issues are likely to make you unable to undergo any vision procedures.

How many years does PRK last?

How Long Does PRK Last? PRK is considered to be permanent. However, it cannot prevent eyes from aging, nor the optical conditions that can develop as a result. If you have PRK surgery at 40 years of age or older, you can expect these changes to occur.

Is PRK worse than LASIK?

LASIK and PRK are equally safe, and both work well. Around 9 out of every 10 people who have one of these procedures have 20/20 or better vision afterward without the need for glasses or contact lenses. If you're active, you might prefer LASIK because you'll have clear vision faster.