Taking Contacts Out For Optometric Exam

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Soylent

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On the papers I received from Concorde, it said that I should take out my contacts three days before my optometric exam. Do you guys know the reason for this and if it is really necessary? I wear Focus Dailies which are extremely thin, so I doubt that they would cause any problems. I don't want to be disqualified on a technicality that could have been easily prevented and I plan on taking my contacts out, but I'm just curious about the reasoning.
 
It is thought that contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea, preventing it from assuming its natural shape. This can lead to inaccurate measurements.
 
Exactly what Luigi59 said. It was more prevelent about 15 - 20 years ago, but can still hold true, especially for the extended wear contact lenses.
 
Do you think I will be alright if I wear my daily contacts 4-5 hours the night before the exam? I forgot that I have an interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Student Advisory Board the night before the exam, and the last time I bought glasses I purposely (but stupidly) bought the ugliest pair in the store and I would rather not wear them.

I guess I should get used to wearing some ugly glasses if I want to get into West Point.
 
Soylent,

If you are having this much trouble following instructions, have you considered that the military might not be your cup of tea.
 
Or think of it this way, by wearing the glasses, it will help to solidify your desire to go to a service academy.

Even wearing your contacts for as little as an hour can distort the cornea enough to throw off the eye exam.
 
USNA69 said:
Soylent,

If you are having this much trouble following instructions, have you considered that the military might not be your cup of tea.
Click to expand...

Oh my god, because I asked a question about a situation I have never heard about my future has been told! Oh jesus, being inquisitive at 17 is suddenly a sign of not being successful in the military.


Where did I ever have trouble following directions? I acknowledged that Concorde advised not to wear contacts three days beforehand, and I asked if it was really necessary because I wear one of the thinnest and advanced contacts on the market. I don't believe Concorde ever told me not to ask questions.

I think that if you have this much trouble with your demeanor while trying to help people, you should try a different forum.
 
Soylent said:
I think that if you have this much trouble with your demeanor while trying to help people, you should try a different forum.
Click to expand...

You come on this forum repeatedly looking for validation of your inability to follow instructions. That is an insult to this foruim. Perhaps you are on the wrong forum.

If you will check your DodMERB eye exam form you will note that it does not "advise" that you do not wear your contacts. You have to certify and sign that you have not worn your contacts AT ALL (emphasis mine) for the past ____ days. Wearing the contacts for 4 hours the night before would waste both the examiners and the DoDMERB system's time and also my taxpayer dollars. And it would also place you in a very embarassing, but well deserved, position with the examiner.

Sorry if I was a bit harsh but I daresay I do have your attention now. One of my major peeves is the inabliity to follow instructions. At least you asked. There are qualified c/o 2011ers sitting on the sideline now because they didn't get along with their math teacher and instead of asking for a recommendation passed along one from a physics teacher. Bottom line. I don't think you will get any sympathy in your desire not to follow instructions from this forum.

Good luck.
 
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USNA69 said:
You come on this forum repeatedly looking for validation of your inability to follow instructions. That is an insult to this foruim. Perhaps you are on the wrong forum.

If you will check your DodMERB eye exam form you will note that it does not "advise" that you do not wear your contacts. You have to certify and sign that you have not worn your contacts AT ALL (emphasis mine) for the past ____ days. Wearing the contacts for 4 hours the night before would waste both the examiners and the DoDMERB system's time and also my taxpayer dollars. And it would also place you in a very embarassing, but well deserved, position with the examiner.

Sorry if I was a bit harsh but I daresay I do have your attention now. One of my major peeves is the inabliity to follow instructions. At least you asked. There are qualified c/o 2011ers sitting on the sideline now because they didn't get along with their math teacher and instead of asking for a recommendation passed along one from a physics teacher. Bottom line. I don't think you will get any sympathy in your desire not to follow instructions from this forum.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I am not looking for validation to not follow directions. The only form that came with the Concorde packet was for the Medical History only and the optical exam forms are mailed exclusively to the optical examiner. If I had that form where it asked for a signature, I would not have even asked the question.

To quote my first post "I don't want to be disqualified on a technicality that could have been easily prevented and I plan on taking my contacts out". The whole "cup of tea" remark just seemed a bit demeaning.
 
This young, articulate, and inquisitive candidate came to this forum for advice and guidance. As always RetNavyHM provided the requested information in a clear, concise, and non-judgmental fashion. RetNavyHM makes this forum stand out above and alone from the others, and his contribution to the cadet candidates and their parents cannot be overstated.

Perhaps the DOBMER portion of this webboard would be best limited to RetNavyHM as his own special corner to help these extraordinary youngsters, as he seems uniquely qualified to do so. When others respond, as often as not, the waters seem to be muddied with incorrect, or worse yet, completely irrelevant and counterproductive opinion.

Soylent, I don't believe that inquisitiveness, even stubborn and sometimes infuriating inquisitiveness, in a 17 year old is a negative as far as success in the military is concerned. If that were the case the military would be run by unimaginative morons. Your own measured responses suggest you have a good head on your shoulders and I would urge you to pursue admission to the USMA. It is a place like no other and well worth all of the trials and tribulations required to secure an appointment. Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.
 
Welcome to the forum Soylent!!

You did a great job of defending yourself! I can understand the frustration of USNA69, there are quite a few kids who, for one reason or another, done want to or don't feel like following instructions. USNA69 is correct that there are kids everyyear who spend the admissions process looking for a loophole - sounds like you are not one of them though! :thumb:
Right now you have a choice to make which hopefully a year from now will be insignificant! My daughter had to miss a practice and a game during her senior fall season because of her DoDMERB physical - she was pretty bummed out but got through it.
So kiddo - get a new pair of glasses, wear the old ones or go blind! :wink: Good Luck to you! :smile:
 
Haha, nope but his mother should certainly be proud from the posts I've read on various forums.
 
I didn't mean for this to turn into the little battle that it did.

Thanks to everyone for posting. RetNavyHM, you are definitely an invaluable source for info on here. I can even appreciate USNA69 for giving me that much more drive to seek an appointment.
 
If you take your contacts out, will they let you wear glasses during the exam instead? From my understanding, you need correctable 20/20.. and this goes for prescription wearers as well? 2 appointments ago when I visited the clinic, they told me my eyes were 20/20, but the last time, they told me my right eye was 20/30. Before the dodmerb exam, should I think about bringing some sort of prescription...glasses..? contacts not allowed?
 
No, you won't wear your glasses during the eye exam.

Your eye examiner will perform a series of tests, one of which is called "Refraction".

This is the test that the eye doctor uses to determine your exact prescription. During a refraction, the doctor puts the instrument called a phoropter in front of your eyes and shows you a series of lens choices. He or she will then ask you which of the two lenses in each choice looks clearer.

Based on your answers, the doctor will continue to fine-tune your power until reaching a final prescription that is then used in your eyeglasses and contacts.

Refraction determines your level of farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.
 
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