DQed for Keratoconus, Waiver submitted

M

momo1512

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Joined
Jan 6, 2023
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16
My son was recently disqualified for suspected keratoconus in one eye. I sought a 2nd opinion and that my doctor did confirm the eye disease. Trying to figure out our options at this point. He is a candidate for the cross-linking procedure but I don’t want the surgery to be an automatic disqualification. Does anyone know if waivers have been provided in the past for keratoconus and if cross-linking procedure was required for approval? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

His vision is currently 20/15 in right eye and 20/25 in left eye (with KC)
 
momo1512 said:
My son was recently disqualified for suspected keratoconus in one eye. I sought a 2nd opinion and that my doctor did confirm the eye disease. Trying to figure out our options at this point. He is a candidate for the cross-linking procedure but I don’t want the surgery to be an automatic disqualification. Does anyone know if waivers have been provided in the past for keratoconus and if cross-linking procedure was required for approval? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

His vision is currently 20/15 in right eye and 20/25 in left eye (with KC)
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wow, I had never heard of that, so I looked it up. I'm sorry that your son was diagnosed but it sounds like you caught it before it was causing him issues and it's possible it can be corrected before he has to have more invasive surgery later on. So that is probably a blessing in disguise.

Have you contacted the USMA and asked to speak to their medical professionals? I am guessing with a rare diagnosis like that their decision will be very case specific. Good luck with whatever treatment plan you go with and best wishes for a quick and complete healing! (and also lots of best wishes with the waiver route!)
 
NavyHopefulMom2027 said:
wow, I had never heard of that, so I looked it up. I'm sorry that your son was diagnosed but it sounds like you caught it before it was causing him issues and it's possible it can be corrected before he has to have more invasive surgery later on. So that is probably a blessing in disguise.

Have you contacted the USMA and asked to speak to their medical professionals? I am guessing with a rare diagnosis like that their decision will be very case specific. Good luck with whatever treatment plan you go with and best wishes for a quick and complete healing! (and also lots of best wishes with the waiver route!)
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Thank you for your reply! I have not spoken to USMA medical professionals - didn’t know that was an option. I will definitely reach out to them tomorrow. Do I just go through our contact at West Point?
 
First, I will say that I am sorry to hear of your son’s eye issues but am glad that it was discovered early. The specific condition is considered an automatic disqualification by DODMERB, as you probably know. My son required, and received a waiver for a medical issue last year from USMA, USNA, and NROTC (non-vision related.) I will pass along what I was told. The main considerations for if a condition is waiverable are: is the condition still present (like a food allergy or past injury that may have been present earlier but resolved)? if the condition is still present is it progressive? Would the condition hinder the ability to train or interfere with military duties later?

Many conditions are waiverable but some are not. The best advice I can give is to see if admissions (RC at USMA) requests a waiver for your son. If they do request a waiver you will know that there is a chance of a waiver. Normally ANY recent surgeries can disqualify you from service until DODMERB has a chance (or the academies) to evaluate the surgical effectiveness and long-term prognosis. If the condition is one that might be wavered if surgically repaired you might be able to speak with a physician at Keller Hospital (USMA medical facility) and find out how long after surgery your son would need to wait before qualifying for a waiver (if waiverable after repair.) You can also search these SAF threads. There have been others with the same condition and you can track there comments. Good luck and thanks to your son for his willingness to serve. His vision is the ultimate concern.
 
MarTac said:
First, I will say that I am sorry to hear of your son’s eye issues but am glad that it was discovered early. The specific condition is considered an automatic disqualification by DODMERB, as you probably know. My son required, and received a waiver for a medical issue last year from USMA, USNA, and NROTC (non-vision related.) I will pass along what I was told. The main considerations for if a condition is waiverable are: is the condition still present (like a food allergy or past injury that may have been present earlier but resolved)? if the condition is still present is it progressive? Would the condition hinder the ability to train or interfere with military duties later?

Many conditions are waiverable but some are not. The best advice I can give is to see if admissions (RC at USMA) requests a waiver for your son. If they do request a waiver you will know that there is a chance of a waiver. Normally ANY recent surgeries can disqualify you from service until DODMERB has a chance (or the academies) to evaluate the surgical effectiveness and long-term prognosis. If the condition is one that might be wavered if surgically repaired you might be able to speak with a physician at Keller Hospital (USMA medical facility) and find out how long after surgery your son would need to wait before qualifying for a waiver (if waiverable after repair.) You can also search these SAF threads. There have been others with the same condition and you can track there comments. Good luck and thanks to your son for his willingness to serve. His vision is the ultimate concern.
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Thank you for the advice! USMA has requested a waiver on his behalf so at least that means there’s a chance. I’m not sure how willing a physician at Keller Hospital would be to speak with me, but I am willing to exhaust any and all avenues. I’ll find an ophthalmologist at the hospital and reach out to them tomorrow. Thank you so much!
 
momo1512 said:
Thank you for the advice! USMA has requested a waiver on his behalf so at least that means there’s a chance. I’m not sure how willing a physician at Keller Hospital would be to speak with me, but I am willing to exhaust any and all avenues. I’ll find an ophthalmologist at the hospital and reach out to them tomorrow. Thank you so much!
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Just a suggestion.....Have your son reach out, NOT you! Almost all the academies expect to see candidates working on their own issues, without parent help (at least on the front end). What you discuss between family members no one will know about, but generally staff at academies will not discuss issues with parents (unless your son is 17). Just a suggestion:)
 
First, sorry to hear about your son's situation. My son is currently going through the same thing. He was diagnosed with keratoconus in one eye early in high school at a routine eye exam. We found out that this condition (apparently) runs in my wife's family. After his diagnosis, we (and he) made the decision to have the cross-linking procedure done. That's been almost 2 years ago. Since then, his vision has been perfectly stable, and we do not believe that there has been any progression of this condition. He is scheduled for his DODMERB physical/eye exam(s) very soon, so we will find out if his early treatment will make him "waiverable". I will share any news as it becomes available. He's comfortable with whatever outcome he will be faced with right now...God has a plan for him and if this door closes, we are 100% certain that others will open.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
First, sorry to hear about your son's situation. My son is currently going through the same thing. He was diagnosed with keratoconus in one eye early in high school at a routine eye exam. We found out that this condition (apparently) runs in my wife's family. After his diagnosis, we (and he) made the decision to have the cross-linking procedure done. That's been almost 2 years ago. Since then, his vision has been perfectly stable, and we do not believe that there has been any progression of this condition. He is scheduled for his DODMERB physical/eye exam(s) very soon, so we will find out if his early treatment will make him "waiverable". I will share any news as it becomes available. He's comfortable with whatever outcome he will be faced with right now...God has a plan for him and if this door closes, we are 100% certain that others will open.
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Thank you for sharing your story! I’m hoping this works out in favor for both of our sons. I will definitely keep you updated on our outcome and any progress that’s been made.
 
momo1512 said:
Thank you for sharing your story! I’m hoping this works out in favor for both of our sons. I will definitely keep you updated on our outcome and any progress that’s been made.
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I am in a similar situation to you. Were you able to get hold of a physician at the Keller army hospital? I have been getting transferred to different places all morning. If you did then what did you ask them for?
 
picklerick said:
I am in a similar situation to you. Were you able to get hold of a physician at the Keller army hospital? I have been getting transferred to different places all morning. If you did then what did you ask them for?
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I did not speak to a physician at Keller Hospital. But I’ve been told to have any medical records and documents ready to be submitted when asked.
 
momo1512 said:
My son was recently disqualified for suspected keratoconus in one eye. I sought a 2nd opinion and that my doctor did confirm the eye disease. Trying to figure out our options at this point. He is a candidate for the cross-linking procedure but I don’t want the surgery to be an automatic disqualification. Does anyone know if waivers have been provided in the past for keratoconus and if cross-linking procedure was required for approval? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

His vision is currently 20/15 in right eye and 20/25 in left eye (with KC)
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Im getting cxl done next month for the same situation.
 
momo1512 said:
Keep me updated! It’s a super easy procedure. Good luck to you!
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Awesome im very anxious about it but that’s awesome to hear that it is a easy procedure I just hope I can get into the military after getting it done. Keep me in you guys prayers and I’ll do the same.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
First, sorry to hear about your son's situation. My son is currently going through the same thing. He was diagnosed with keratoconus in one eye early in high school at a routine eye exam. We found out that this condition (apparently) runs in my wife's family. After his diagnosis, we (and he) made the decision to have the cross-linking procedure done. That's been almost 2 years ago. Since then, his vision has been perfectly stable, and we do not believe that there has been any progression of this condition. He is scheduled for his DODMERB physical/eye exam(s) very soon, so we will find out if his early treatment will make him "waiverable". I will share any news as it becomes available. He's comfortable with whatever outcome he will be faced with right now...God has a plan for him and if this door closes, we are 100% certain that others will open.
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Any update on your son’s situation? We are still waiting…
 
So, on his DoDMERB exam he was DQ'd for a single disqualification for the keratoconus (as expected), and he is currently Under Waiver Review. He has not been asked to provide any additional medical information as of yet. The examining physician noted that his condition should not have any service limitations, but that's not really what matters. So, we wait...
It's a bit frustrating as, other than that pretty insignificant condition, he is a kid who is in excellent physical health.
 
We are in the exact same boat. Have not heard anything but from what I’ve read, we should hear something in April. I will keep you posted!
 
momo1512 said:
My son was recently disqualified for suspected keratoconus in one eye. I sought a 2nd opinion and that my doctor did confirm the eye disease. Trying to figure out our options at this point. He is a candidate for the cross-linking procedure but I don’t want the surgery to be an automatic disqualification. Does anyone know if waivers have been provided in the past for keratoconus and if cross-linking procedure was required for approval? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

His vision is currently 20/15 in right eye and 20/25 in left eye (with KC)
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A waiver is possible from AROTC if your DS gets CXL for the KCN.

AROTC will probably not grant a waiver if your DS has current KCN.

CXL is the only option your DS has to get a waiver from AROTC. Not guaranteed, of course, but it gives your DS a chance.
 
Hello, I'm an AFROTC senior (Pilot select) who recently got diagnosed with KCN Dec 2022 during my IFC examination at Wright Pat AFB and I recently saw your post about the KCN and CXL procedure, Was anyone able to get a waiver for either? I'm currently in the same boat as well. I submitted my first waiver attempt end of May after my CXL procedure and I was temporarily denied being told by AFRS that I have to have 6 months' stability post-op CXL for the waiver to be granted. So I have been waiting all summer and I am about to resubmit my waiver next week in hopes it gets granted. I'll keep everyone post. I also found the wavier standards for KCN and CXL if this is helpful for anyone it inserted below

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I hope this is helpful to anyone
 
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