Waiver for LASIK/PRK

*Not sure if this is supposed to be under the DoDMERB sub-forum or not, so let me know*

I want to be a pilot (fighters is my goal), but my uncorrected vision is not great, although I'm not entirely positive that it's worse than 20/40. My corrected vision in both eyes is about 20/20 or very close to it. If all other aspects of my candidacy for UPT are outstanding, would I be able to get a waiver for LASIK/PRK? I've asked multiple friends of mine currently enlisted in the AF or AFROTC and I've gotten a different answer each time. Can someone clarify?

FacFortiaEtPatere said:

*Not sure if this is supposed to be under the DoDMERB sub-forum or not, so let me know*

I want to be a pilot (fighters is my goal), but my uncorrected vision is not great, although I'm not entirely positive that it's worse than 20/40. My corrected vision in both eyes is about 20/20 or very close to it. If all other aspects of my candidacy for UPT are outstanding, would I be able to get a waiver for LASIK/PRK? I've asked multiple friends of mine currently enlisted in the AF or AFROTC and I've gotten a different answer each time. Can someone clarify?

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I'm not sure which forum this should be under, although it's probably not DODMERB. But to give you some information, my DS had PRK surgery after completing Field Training. His detachment gave him information and forms concerning the surgery, requirements for after-surgery visits, and what additional information and documentation he would need to bring to his flight physical at Wight-Patterson AFB (assuming he was selected for UPT). He had to stay an extra day at WP while they reviewed the PRK results. He passed the physical, and recently graduated from UPT.
My DS was worse than 20/40 prior to UPT; I'm not even sure you would even need surgery if your eyes are around 20/40.

Sleeplessnights said:

I'm not sure which forum this should be under, although it's probably not DODMERB. But to give you some information, my DS had PRK surgery after completing Field Training. His detachment gave him information and forms concerning the surgery, requirements for after-surgery visits, and what additional information and documentation he would need to bring to his flight physical at Wight-Patterson AFB (assuming he was selected for UPT). He had to stay an extra day at WP while they reviewed the PRK results. He passed the physical, and recently graduated from UPT.
My DS was worse than 20/40 prior to UPT; I'm not even sure you would even need surgery if your eyes are around 20/40.

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That's good to know; I was worried that I would not be permitted to get PRK/LASIK or go to UPT if my vision was not up to AF standards for pilots. Thank you so much for the info, and congratulations to your DS for making the cut.

Perhaps he and I will fly together one day.

You want to make sure you get the eye surgery after you join ROTC or the SA. You also want to make sure your eyes have stopped changing. College age may be old enough for your eyes to stop changing.
This is from USNA medical considerations to admissions http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/MedicalAppendix1.pdf

Procedures to change the refraction (Corneal Refractive Surgery) performed with the excimer laser, including but not limited to photorefractive keratectomy, laser epithelial keratomileusis, and laserassisted in situ keratomileusis are disqualifying if any of the following conditions are met: the presurgical refractive error in either eye exceeded a spherical equivalent of +8.00 or -8.00 diopters, pre-surgical astigmatism exceeded 3.00 diopters, at least six-month recovery period has not occurred between last refractive surgery or augmenting procedure and accession medical exam, there have been complications and/or medications or ophthalmologic solutions required and postsurgical refraction in each eye is not stable. Additionally, history of any incisional corneal surgery, including but not limited to partial or full thickness corneal transplant, radial keratotomy, astigmatic keratotomy, or corneal transplants are disqualifying.”