Coast Guard Pilot (vision)

H2Opolodude

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2012
Messages
85
I am currently considering going to the Coast guard academy and I am looking into becoming a pilot. Is it possible to receive laser eye surgery at the academy in order to qualify for being a pilot?
 
Is it possible to receive laser eye surgery at the academy in order to qualify for being a pilot?

The short answer, which I assume is all you need to decide whether or not to apply to the Academy, is "Yes." If you apply, earn an appointment, and decide to attend, you can learn more about the request process for the procedure.
 
Thank you. I do plan on applying, I guess my question was more whether or not they have an option to perform the surgery if it was requested. Otherwise, I was wondering if it would be encouraged/discouraged to get the corrective surgery before going to the academy.
 
Otherwise, I was wondering if it would be encouraged/discouraged to get the corrective surgery before going to the academy.

I would not recommend getting corrective vision surgery as a civilian if you're interested in military aviation since, unless the medical standards have recently changed, the procedure must have been performed at a Military Treatment Facility in order for the applicant to remain eligible for flight school. If your uncorrected vision doesn't meet service accession standards then maybe you'd want to consider having the surgery in advance, but realize it will most likely disqualify you from flight school. In addition, assuming the surgery does improve your vision, you'll need to go at least 12 months (post-surgery) without any complications to even be found medically qualified for accession since most elective surgeries are disqualifying.
 
Got it. Well, I have taken my medical tests from Dodmerb and I qualified--not sure if this means I meet the standards(?). I guess my best bet will be to wait until I am in the academy to worry about any surgeries.
 
Well, I have taken my medical tests from Dodmerb and I qualified--not sure if this means I meet the standards(?)

Service standards vary slightly, primarily between the sea-going versus other SA's, but if DoDMERB has found you medically qualified for either USMMA/USNA then you'll most likely also be medically qualified for USCGA.
 
I believe the Naval Academy performs corrective surgery at the Academy, but with CGA you arrange it yourself and must finance it, but with their approval of the doctor, timing, etc.. My son had his corrective surgery done at home during the summer after his 3/C year. They required PRK rather than Lasik.
 
USNA has bethesda - now walter reed medical center for all their eye surgeries. I often see the mid's around bethesda -
as for NROTC - at VMI - my son was given permission from unit - which they outlined his freshman year would be given after his sohpmore yr - summer, before he returned for his junior yr. He then had to get the surgery on the out side - on his own dime. Just as an aside, my son is dependent status under TRICARE - eye surgery for correction (PRK) is consideration elective and thus NOT available for him at Bethesda as dependent. (I add this because I know there are some out there who are also in same situation- child is military dependent while in college as scholarship ROTC)
All reports, followup checkups were passed along to unit. The NAVY only allows PRK - there is some difference of who allows what and when among the services (other scholarship cadets at VMI with other branches have shared their requirements as they watched my son do the Navy's) larry's mom
 
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