Astigmatism requirements

Art.Perea

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
175
So I read on the DoDMERB website that an astigmatism greater than 8.00 or less that -8.00 is disqualifying, assuming I read it correctly. Yet, I hear if you have an astigmatism at all, you are disqualified. So I am a little confused and worried because West Point has been my dream school for years. My astigmatism is -1.75 and -1.50. So does that count as a disqualification? Also, I have 20/20 vision when wearing glasses and contacts, if that helps at all.
 
No. The limit is 3.00 diopters. Assuming you're looking at the right numbers on your prescription, you're well under that limit.

The ±8.00 (±6.00 for USNA) diopters is for general refractive error, being myopia or hyperopia (nearsightedness or farsightedness).


Go through DoDMERB and have them make the decisions before you start making assumptions, though.
 
I am looking at the right number. My mother is an optician so she is helping me with all of this eyesight lingo. I hope the limit is 3.00 Thank you very much.
 
I am looking at the right number. My mother is an optician so she is helping me with all of this eyesight lingo. I hope the limit is 3.00 Thank you very much.
DoDI 6130.03, April 28, 2010

5. VISION

a. Current distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least one of the following (367):

(1) 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye (369.75).

(2) 20/30 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye (369.75).

(3) 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye (369.73).

b. Current near visual acuity of any degree that does not correct to 20/40 in the better eye (367.1-367.32).

c. Current refractive error (hyperopia (367.0), myopia (367.1), astigmatism (367.2x)), in excess of -8.00 or +8.00 diopters spherical equivalent or astigmatism in excess of 3.00 diopters.

d. Any condition requiring contact lenses for adequate correction of vision, such as corneal scars and opacities (370.0x) and irregular astigmatism (367.22).
 
DoDI 6130.03, April 28, 2010

5. VISION

a. Current distant visual acuity of any degree that does not correct with spectacle lenses to at least one of the following (367):

(1) 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye (369.75).

(2) 20/30 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye (369.75).

(3) 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye (369.73).

b. Current near visual acuity of any degree that does not correct to 20/40 in the better eye (367.1-367.32).

c. Current refractive error (hyperopia (367.0), myopia (367.1), astigmatism (367.2x)), in excess of -8.00 or +8.00 diopters spherical equivalent or astigmatism in excess of 3.00 diopters.

d. Any condition requiring contact lenses for adequate correction of vision, such as corneal scars and opacities (370.0x) and irregular astigmatism (367.22).
d. Any condition requiring contact lenses for adequate correction of vision, such as corneal scars and opacities (370.0x) and irregular astigmatism (367.22).


From what I've read, astigmatism also is classified as regular or irregular. In regular astigmatism, the principal meridians are 90 degrees apart (perpendicular to each other). In irregular astigmatism, the principal meridians are not perpendicular. Most astigmatism is regular corneal astigmatism, which gives the eye a football shape.

Irregular astigmatism can result from an eye injury that has caused scarring on the cornea, from certain types of eye surgery or from keratoconus, a disease that causes a gradual thinning of the cornea.
 
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