Quick question

I heard from a friend in AFROTC that glasses are now permitted for fighter pilots and that they are only required to wear specially designed glasses while in flight. Is this true? And if it is, does that mean that I (I wear glasses) do not have to get lasik?

Thanks!

They have a vision standard for pilots, if you are in the parameters and selected for UPT they will do Lazik for you, so don't go off and do it yourself thinking this will help you in getting a pilot slot. It actually could cause a med dq.

Pima said:

They have a vision standard for pilots, if you are in the parameters and selected for UPT they will do Lazik for you, so don't go off and do it yourself thinking this will help you in getting a pilot slot. It actually could cause a med dq.

Click to expand...

Yes, thank you, I am fully aware of the DQ you will get if you choose to do lasik outside the academy. But my question was whether is it true that pilots can now fly WITH glasses. I am actually not looking forward to getting lasik and was wondering if glasses or contacts would be suitable for fighter pilots.

Chockstock said:

Yes, thank you, I am fully aware of the DQ you will get if you choose to do lasik outside the academy. But my question was whether is it true that pilots can now fly WITH glasses. I am actually not looking forward to getting lasik and was wondering if glasses or contacts would be suitable for fighter pilots.

Click to expand...

Fighter/bomber/tanker/transport....doesn't matter.

The vision standard for acceptance to UPT is probably what you're actually asking about? That changes at the needs of the AF. IF the SGH (AF Surgeon General) has determined that we have a shortage and that students with XX/20 corrected with corrective lenses will be accepted to SUPT...then that's okay. If they have the "20/20 uncorrected for entry to SUPT" then that's that.

ONCE you're in SUPT or a pilot, as long as your eyes can be corrected to 20/20 by lenses, then you fly.

My original F-15 IP...tall super skinny guy...with coke-bottom glasses.

From ROTC website
# Normal color vision
# Distant vision – pilots, uncorrected to 20/50
# Near vision – pilots, uncorrected to 20/20
# Meet refraction, accommodation and astigmatism requirements
# Corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier
# Have no history of hay fever, asthma or allergies after age 12- is this like any allergies?

Are these standards before lasik or after you get lasik?

Those standards are for after your corrective surgery. Also, at this time, lasik is not an option for hopeful pilots. The procedure that the Air Force performs is PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). Lasik surgery involves using the laser to cut a flap in the cornea to correct the vision. PRK uses short blasts from the laser to shear off the tissue on the outside of the cornea to reshape it. The recovery time is longer and more involved.
I am not sure of the process for getting PRK done via AFROTC, but I know that at USAFA the cadets getting PRK this year have been being screened and tested for the last two years. The selection process for PRK is competitive. The number being approved for the surgery has dropped this year, also. In the class of 2011 only 35 cadets got the surgery during the first week of August. There will be a second group getting it immediately after the return from Holiday break in January, but it will be a much smaller number.

Stealth_81

It is the same process if they are on scholarship. When they are a Jr or 2 dig they get the surgery.

My nephew was AFROTC at Texas A&M University. Wears glasses - has for a very long time. Was selected for ENJJPT. Has not had corrective surgery. Graduating tonight from F-16 training at Luke AFB. Leaves in October for first assignment in Aviano, Italy.