PRK for vision correction

MidwestMom

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My daughter is a current 2/c and wants to leave her options open for flight school. She just had a PRK evaluation about an hour ago. She stated that as a 2/c she must have the procedure done fairly soon to be able to apply. She understands that even with vision correction she might not be selected or there may not be any openings, but wants to be ready just in case. Is there a specific deadline to have PRK done? (She was planning on doing this over the winter holiday time, but it will affect her partipation in her winter sport.)
 
Cadets have to do the flight physical in the spring of 2/c year. The last followup appointment is generally 60 days from PRK surgery so winter break is usually the last opportunity to get it done before the physical. I am also pretty sure that you can't miss any school days because of PRK so the summers or holidays are the only opportunities to get it done.
 
I've heard that they finally approved lasik surgery, so maybe your DD should look into that as another option. Lasik is generally a quicker surgery.

I thought they did flight school physicals in the fall of the 1/c year as well? I know you're not here right now BR2011 but Golf company sent out sign ups for 1/c to have a flight physical done a couple of months ago...
 
hmm, I could be wrong. I just remember needing to have it done before the end of Christmas break when I was considering flight school.

You may want to double check the lasik for pilots. I know it is heading that way but I'm not sure that is currently the policy. Related to that though the solicitation for astronaut candidates just came out and it allows for astronauts to have had Lasik. I don't think that will be in the Ensign billet list though...
 
yeah I kind of doubt we'll be taking any astronauts this year...but it will be interesting to see how many flight school spots 2012 gets. If I remember from that billet list we have posted on here, 09 had around 20, 10 had 7, 11 had over 20.

So have you completely decided against flight school? How's that 110 treating you?
 
I considered it a little more but I don't think I'm going to do it. I'm not sure I'm ready to lock up another 8 years of my life.

110's are awesome. I highly recommend getting one first tour. Your class will probably get the ones that my class is on right now so they will have a better idea on how to fit you into your job.
 
That'd be great if we still have the option to go to a patrol boat. I'd be really interested going to an FRC if they open them up to males...
 
Notice the banner ad on this thread is from 1-800- contacts? :rolleyes:
 
My USNA Second Class son had PRK last month ... and is progressing nicely, may even be perfect ... I'm not sure when his final follow up is ... Your daughter should be able to find out the schedule ... and it likely would be much more accurate than anything found on this forum (barring an official post!) ... let her handle it ... if she skips it and misses flight, well, it's a learning lesson for her ...
 
PRK is a more involved recovery than Lasik. Make sure that you look into and discuss this with the surgen who will be performing the procedure. Our group follows PRK patients much more closely and frequently than Lasik patients. Not sure how this can be worked out with the academy schedule.
 
PRK is a more involved recovery than Lasik. Make sure that you look into and discuss this with the surgen who will be performing the procedure. Our group follows PRK patients much more closely and frequently than Lasik patients. Not sure how this can be worked out with the academy schedule.

Cadets usually get it during christmas leave of their 2/c year at the academy. This allows a decent recovery period without the stress of academics, as well as enough recovery time for the surgery so that the cadet can be evaluated for a flight physical. The human eyes typically stabilize in the early twenties, which is the age of an average 2/c cadet (20-22).
 
My USNA Second Class son had PRK last month ... and is progressing nicely, may even be perfect ... I'm not sure when his final follow up is ... Your daughter should be able to find out the schedule ... and it likely would be much more accurate than anything found on this forum (barring an official post!) ... let her handle it ... if she skips it and misses flight, well, it's a learning lesson for her ...

That's great to hear! Thank you!
 
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