Pima
10-Year Member
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If you are talking about PRK no they will not do that during UPT. Main reason why is because it would mean you would not be able to fly for 6 mos.
You can pay for it on your own while you are in college, but again make sure you have given yourself enough time for your eyes to heal according to the USAF standards. This is where it gets tricky. Most docs will tell you to wait until you are 20. USAFA will not do it until they are 20. The problem for AFROTC cadets is that they need to do SFT in the summer of their rising junior yr. They can't schedule the surgery until the know when they are going to SFT. They will need to do it that yr because if selected for UPT they will go for their FAA FC1 physical at Wright Pat AFB. They have to be far enough out from the surgery as to not need a waiver.
Is your eyesight correctable with glasses?
You can pay for it on your own while you are in college, but again make sure you have given yourself enough time for your eyes to heal according to the USAF standards. This is where it gets tricky. Most docs will tell you to wait until you are 20. USAFA will not do it until they are 20. The problem for AFROTC cadets is that they need to do SFT in the summer of their rising junior yr. They can't schedule the surgery until the know when they are going to SFT. They will need to do it that yr because if selected for UPT they will go for their FAA FC1 physical at Wright Pat AFB. They have to be far enough out from the surgery as to not need a waiver.
Is your eyesight correctable with glasses?
This should get you started. It describes the Active Duty program, but the guidelines would also apply to you. In this case, you would fall under the "aviator" classification.
Both PRK and LASIK are now accepted, but as @Pima mentioned, you will still have to ultimately clear your physical at WPAFB, and it can be tough to get the stars to align so that you are out of recovery in time.
It's funny how many pilots and CSOs I've flown with that wear glasses.
Both PRK and LASIK are now accepted, but as @Pima mentioned, you will still have to ultimately clear your physical at WPAFB, and it can be tough to get the stars to align so that you are out of recovery in time.
It's funny how many pilots and CSOs I've flown with that wear glasses.
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Pima
10-Year Member
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My DS wears glasses as a pilot. Hence, my question of is the vision correctible with glasses.
Our DS was on the cusp. He pleaded with us to let him get the surgery. MY DH being a flier said no, not when you are on the cusp. 2 yrs later at 20, he was no longer on the cusp. His vision had changed for the better. The last thing you want to do is mess with your eyes if you want to fly. Hence, why even USAFA will not pay for that surgery until the cadet is 20.
Our DS was on the cusp. He pleaded with us to let him get the surgery. MY DH being a flier said no, not when you are on the cusp. 2 yrs later at 20, he was no longer on the cusp. His vision had changed for the better. The last thing you want to do is mess with your eyes if you want to fly. Hence, why even USAFA will not pay for that surgery until the cadet is 20.
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Just to keep the information completely accurate, USAFA will not do the surgery until the cadet signs their commitment papers at the beginning of Junior year. It’s not based on age although most will be 20 by then. My son was 19 when he had his done because he is young for his year group.
Stealth_81
Stealth_81
Yes. my eyesight is correctable with glasses.
I see. thanks alot for giving me information.
My son is at UPT right now. While he passed all his vision tests, he still needs to fly with glassses. When he went to UPT, they gave him about 8 pairs of glasses. Some for flying and some for every day use. He was at the cusp and had himself re-examined again at UPT in order to avoid having to use them, but they said he needed to use the glasses. They did tell him that if he did get a fighter plane out of UPT, there would be no issue having the air force fix his eyes. Basically they were telling him he should get his eyes fixed if he got a fighter.
