Pilot success vs Lasik?

AF6872 said:
It is my understading that LASIK is still not approved as a corrective procedure by NAVY but is still under review because of the corneal flap coincident with the surgery. Study is not conclusive regarding corneal flap detaching during high G's for pilots or flight officers or detached flap while at sea without access to an eye surgeon. The current approved procedure is PRK and is done at Bathesda for those qualified MIDS during their last couple of years (like after vision stabilises after about 20 or 21 years of age during firstie year). That would be after 2 for 7 but I don't think that is a requirement only the age and physical maturity. Busses run up to Bathesda for surgery and then back and forth for further evaluation. 20/200 is pretty bad and usually considered visually impaired without correction. I don't think any 20/200 would ever be considered as a pilot. But then again I have seen some really blind pilots as a bartender in the O Club. Then again that was quite a few years ago. I know they are a lot better now.
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Please read my above posts in regards to LASIK in Naval Aviation.

Currently the Navy standards (not necessarily what is available at USNA) is:
Pilot Applicant: PRK: Approved
LASIK: Approved with some restrictions
Naval Flight Officer Applicant: PRK: Approved
LASIK: Approved

Designated Pilot(ie "winged"): PRK: Approved. LASIK: approved, but must be done at one of the designated study sites
Designated NFO: PRK & LASIK both approved at any Naval facility

Again, before any Naval Aviation applicant undergoes said procedures they should discuss with either NAMI or a local Naval Flight Surgeon.

Please everyone, for the love of god, the rules have changed, please do not pass on the bad gouge that LASIK is automatically out. That is not the case anymore, but there are certain restrictions so talk with a flight surgeon or NAMI before going that route.
 
I defer to KP who knows more about flight medicine than anyone else on this forum. Sorry for the wrong information. I thought LASIK was still under study and restricted to a certain window of those applying and accepted into the study group. Didn't know it was an approved procedure. Rules do change.:wink: Anyone considering elective should discuss it with their doctor or flight surgeon for the up to date information.
 
I don't think any 20/200 would ever be considered as a pilot. But then again I have seen some really blind pilots as a bartender in the O Club. Then again that was quite a few years ago. I know they are a lot better now.

In response to this, my son, 08 was 20/200 bilateral on I day, is now a winged tailhook aviator
 
As a 20/200 uncorrected and trying to find a pitching deck at night? Before LASIK I was 20/200 without glasses or contacts. My drivers license was coded visually impaired without corrective lenses. Uncorrected how could anyone see the Fresnel Lens or a visual wave off from the LSO if com died? How could they see the deck?:biggrin: Delta I bet he had some corrective measures other than contacts or thick glasses. Good for him and I wish him a long and illustrious career and thank the medical community for their advances over the past forty years.
 
Yes he had PRK. I was responding to the comment that 20/200 was not a candidate for pilot. Thanks for your comments he loves it
 
An old book I was forced to read in college: "Cyborg: Evolution of the Superman". Medical science by leaps and bounds.:thumb:
 
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