Air Force Pilot Vision Requirements: Refractive Errors

afrotc2022

afrotc2022

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Joined
Jul 5, 2017
Messages
73
Hi All,

OK, so I've been doing some research on the USAF FC1 Refraction requirements for eyesight. Here are my results from DODMERB:

Right Eye: Sphere: -2.25 Cylinder: +0.50 Axis: 0.92
Left Eye: Sphere: -1.00 Cylinder: +0.75 Axis: 0.87

That might be Greek to some people...sorry.

I think, from my research, that this is out of standards for a FC1. Any thoughts? Will I have to get an ETP, or is it waiverable? Will PRK/LASIK correct this, and should I do that ASAP if I go the AFROTC route? As far as I know, USAFA will do it for you, AFROTC makes you pay out of pocket.

Thank you all for your time!
 
I don't remember how the cylinder and axis play in, but those sphere numbers should be waiverable.
 
BLUF: Don't worry about your eyes, have fun with your last 1.5 years of high school.
Your eyesight is good enough that you can fly with corrective lenses. Your eyes might even be too good for USAFA PRK.
Source: Mine are worse and I have the choice between PRK and corrective lenses.
DO NOT under any circumstances have PRK or Lasik done before you enter the military because as far as I know it is medically disqualifying.
 
How did you get your exam results from DoDMERB? Are they available on the portal somewhere?
 
c17hopeful said:
BLUF: Don't worry about your eyes, have fun with your last 1.5 years of high school.
Your eyesight is good enough that you can fly with corrective lenses. Your eyes might even be too good for USAFA PRK.
Source: Mine are worse and I have the choice between PRK and corrective lenses.
DO NOT under any circumstances have PRK or Lasik done before you enter the military because as far as I know it is medically disqualifying.
Click to expand...

Sorry, this question is way late...lol.
I'm assuming you're USAFA...will it be different If I do AFROTC? (Because it looks like that's the way things are headed for me). I know USAFA folks get PRK done for them if they need it, while AFROTC don't...
 
afrotc2022 said:
c17hopeful said:
BLUF: Don't worry about your eyes, have fun with your last 1.5 years of high school.
Your eyesight is good enough that you can fly with corrective lenses. Your eyes might even be too good for USAFA PRK.
Source: Mine are worse and I have the choice between PRK and corrective lenses.
DO NOT under any circumstances have PRK or Lasik done before you enter the military because as far as I know it is medically disqualifying.
Click to expand...

Sorry, this question is way late...lol.
I'm assuming you're USAFA...will it be different If I do AFROTC? (Because it looks like that's the way things are headed for me). I know USAFA folks get PRK done for them if they need it, while AFROTC don't...
Click to expand...
Still don't get it done before you go. Wait for a military doctor to tell you what you need to do
 
Everyone goes through a graduation eye exam during 3* year. If you are interested in flying, AND require the surgery in order to be PQ, you are 1st priority to receive LASIK/PRK (there may be other factors that go into it as well, but that is the general idea). Corrective surgery will be discussed during the eye exam, and emails with further instructions go out afterwards to surgery candidates. If your vision needs correction, but the prescription is slight enough that you are still PQ with glasses, you are second priority and are not as likely to receive it. However, you may be able to get surgery further down the road, and at any rate will still be able to pursue a pilot slot.
 
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