Astigmatism waiver chances

N

NS2019

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Oct 21, 2019
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I was disqualified for having astigmatism in excess of 3 diopters. I was offered a nursing scholarship Army ROTC and currently going through the waiver process. The remedial I received:
R152.35 Obtain a corneal topography exam with a written interpretation and the original color
topography results REQUIRES A PHYSICIAN'S APPOINTMENT: Please obtain a NEW evaluation by an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a corneal topography examination. Please ensure the examination includes a written interpretation, report, and the original color topography results.
I competed the remedial and the optometrist said I had high regular astigmatism with normal corneal thickness with no signs of keratoconus or other diseases. Without glasses I see 20/200 in both eyes and correct to 20/20 in both eyes. My prescription:

OS +4.25 x-5.50 x 007
OD +4.50 x-5.25 x176
I am wanting to become a nurse in the army. What are my chances getting a waiver?
 
In your case, it’s hard to predict the outcome.

The medical specialists on the Army side do not typically recommend waivers for cylinders worse than -5.00 diopters. It’s just too high of astigmatism.

However, the waiver authority is the CG of cadet command who may grant the waiver anyway (despite the recommendation of “no” from the doctors) if he feels he may not meet the nurse quotas for this year.
 
GoCubbies said:
In your case, it’s hard to predict the outcome.

The medical specialists on the Army side do not typically recommend waivers for cylinders worse than -5.00 diopters. It’s just too high of astigmatism.

However, the waiver authority is the CG of cadet command who may grant the waiver anyway (despite the recommendation of “no” from the doctors) if he feels he may not meet the nurse quotas for this year.
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Just received the news and got the waiver! So happy to be medically qualified!
 
NS2019 said:
Just received the news and got the waiver! So happy to be medically qualified!
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Thanks for circling back on this

It’s good to know how the services are dispositioning waivers.

Looks like the Army needs nurses so it’s good they got another one in the fold.

Thank you for wanting to serve. [emoji106]
 
Same situation. DS got single disqualification from USMA because of astigmatism exceeding -3 diopter. He got LOA On October 2. How can DS get waiver granted? His recent prescription says his astigmatism diopter was -3.0.
 
Waytogo said:
Same situation. DS got single disqualification from USMA because of astigmatism exceeding -3 diopter. He got LOA On October 2. How can DS get waiver granted? His recent prescription says his astigmatism diopter was -3.0.
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In general, if all other aspects of the eye and vision exam are within standards, there is a chance for waiver so long as astigmatism is not worse than -5 diopters.

Seems like your DS hovers around -3 diopters depending on the day. Can’t guarantee anything but chances are decent for a waiver provided all else normal.
 
Thank you. The code is D155.80. Does it mean all other aspects are good except the astigmatism diopter?
 
What was the remedial info DODMERB asked from you for the excessive astigmatism?
 
If the new prescription has your DS right at -3.0 diopters, then you may get a straight up qualification from DODMERB.

If your DS had only that one remedial, then you can assume the other parts of the vision and eye exams met the DODI standards.

If this does have to go for a waiver, I suspect the chances are good since the astigmatism is not worse than -5.0. Someone was on this forum earlier this spring and he got a waiver for, I think, -3.25 or -3.50.
 
GoCubbies said:
If the new prescription has your DS right at -3.0 diopters, then you may get a straight up qualification from DODMERB.

If your DS had only that one remedial, then you can assume the other parts of the vision and eye exams met the DODI standards.

If this does have to go for a waiver, I suspect the chances are good since the astigmatism is not worse than -5.0. Someone was on this forum earlier this spring and he got a waiver for, I think, -3.25 or -3.50.
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Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it. :)
 
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