When the DODMET doctor checked my eyes he said they were in excess of - 8.00 diopters. I decided to get a second opinion and that optometrist said they were NOT. How do I tell the air force they got the wrong info? Just send the real prescription to the academy?
Vision Disqualification
- Thread starter Ultimatun
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Ravens
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You will have to wait until DODMETS sends the eye exam to DODMERB. Once at DODMERB, they will review the info and send you a letter stating DQ or Remedial Requested. This will be your opportunity to send in additional paperwork (AMI) to dispute the findings of the DODMETS doctor. Unfortunately, you really can't do anything until DODMERB makes a determination.
So even if they don't ask for remedial I can send it if I'm DQ?
Ravens
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I don't think that they will just DQ you automatically based on the "findings" of one doctor or physician assistant at a DODMETS facility. More then likely, DODMERB will place a Remedial Requested on your file with the following type of code and description.
Code Description
R259.10 Applicant pending Disqualification for D155.60 Hyperopia - refractive error greater than +8.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) must complete AMI(s) before waiver processing may be considered.
I don't know what your exact medical finding is so this is just an example of what it will look like.
Code Description
R259.10 Applicant pending Disqualification for D155.60 Hyperopia - refractive error greater than +8.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) must complete AMI(s) before waiver processing may be considered.
I don't know what your exact medical finding is so this is just an example of what it will look like.
Ohh ok that makes sense. I'll update this thread with what happens!
Refractive error greater than 8 is an automatic disqualifier, for which they will issue a DQ, not request remedial. Your refractive error is objective and not subject to interpretation, so there is nothing that would require remedial information. If the OP is competitive the SA he is applying to will seek a waiver. At the same time, he can attempt to challenge the DQ with other evidence.
The best thing he can do is attempt to convince the DoDMET eye doctor to amend his report if it is indeed inaccurate. If I were the OP, I would attempt to set up a meeting with the DODMET doc, explain that 8.0 or higher is a DQ, bring the current presecription and ask if the doc would be willing to re-examine. If the original DODMET doc amends his report to anything less than 8.0, then the applicant's status will change from DQ to Q, as there will no longer be evidence of a disqualifying condition. Submitting a different doctor's report creates conflicting evidence that DoDMERB then has to consider and weigh. My guess is they will give more weight to their own independent doc than your personal doc.
Ravens
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If you call the DODMET doctor who performed your examination, I guarantee you that they will not change their initial findings. Furthermore, they are instructed by DODMERB which whom they are contracted with to not provide results to the patient of the exam. Try and call and ask for them to fax or email a copy of your eye exam to you. If they understand their role in the process, they will tell you that they are not allowed to release that information....even to you, the patient. They will tell you that you can get a copy of the exam by contacting DODMERB.
I will call the DODMET doctor and talk to him about my situation. Maybe ask him if I can send him a copy of the exam I just got done.
I just did exactly what I recommended, successfully I might add, for a slightly different issue. DoDMERB will tell you to do what you recommend, but the better path is to do what I recommend. I found out what the disqualifier was afterDodmerb review, not before, but the best way to address the issue is directly at the source
pikakemae808
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DS had the same situation. The doctor who did the initial exam could not release the exam information. Initially, he measured at 8.5. With his own doc, it was 1.75. Huge difference. We needed to request a copy from DODMERB by submitting a written request. Knowing that the eye exam information was incorrect, we immediately scheduled a follow up exam with our own doctor. We had them complete a copy of the form and submitted, then emailed it. At anytime, you can submit documentation to DODMERB (read the Reference Doc on DODMERB). Because they are in their busy season, it will take some time to review documents, etc.
The DODMERB doc incorrectly reported DS's corrected vision resulting in automatic disqualifier. We had a second and third opinion stating vision is correctable. The DoDMERB doc would not speak with us or compare reports for accuracy despite begging 
and pleading (I mean, this is his future we're talking about!). We sent all reports we had to DODMERB and, most likely, drove our contact at DoDMERB insane with questions. We also contacted the waiver authority at the SA once their decision had been made to find out specifics to the denial. This allowed us to tell them we know a mistake was made. We successfully had the DQ overturned.
and pleading (I mean, this is his future we're talking about!). We sent all reports we had to DODMERB and, most likely, drove our contact at DoDMERB insane with questions. We also contacted the waiver authority at the SA once their decision had been made to find out specifics to the denial. This allowed us to tell them we know a mistake was made. We successfully had the DQ overturned.CadetAviator
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I had a very similar thing happen in my case. The optometrist who examined me made an error on the diplopia part of the exam and marked that I had diplopia when I did indeed not have it. After hearing the diagnosis from DODMERB I scheduled a follow up exam with the examining doctor and he found that he had wrote down the wrong thing and so sent an update to DODMERB.
I just received an official decision that my myopia is too excessive to waiver. I will contest it, of course. But until then, would you guys happen to know if the -8.00 diopters limit is for both eyes combined or just in one eye? The forum won't let me attach a photo but my numbers are:
OD (Spherical)= -7.50
OS (Spherical)= -6.75
OD (Cylinder)= -4.25
OS (Cylinder)= -5.50
The cylinder measurement is the astigmatism measurement I THINK.
My astigmatism is still worse than 3 diopters but hopefully if the myopia issue is resolved the astigmatism waiver will be granted.
OD (Spherical)= -7.50
OS (Spherical)= -6.75
OD (Cylinder)= -4.25
OS (Cylinder)= -5.50
The cylinder measurement is the astigmatism measurement I THINK.
My astigmatism is still worse than 3 diopters but hopefully if the myopia issue is resolved the astigmatism waiver will be granted.
AirsoftRanger
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The diopter is a measure of a single lens curvature.
My dad recalled that several Marines with him at Camp Pendleton in '42 no longer needed glasses at the end of boot camp, due to better nutrition. I have always wondered about the mechanism that caused this improvement.
Hey guys I sent my civilian doctor exam into DODMERB through my medical technician and still got disqualified. I kept wondering why and talked to a doctor and they said the academy might be adding up my spherical equivalent and the astigmatism, which would put me over the -8 limit. Does anybody know if that’s what the academy does or if they use another criteria (like adding spherical equivalent and half of the astigmatism)?? Thank you! Also, I attached my prescription.
Ravens
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Ok, although I am not a doctor, I will take a stab at this one.
Of the three numbers on your contacts or glasses prescription, the last two refer to astigmatism:
Of the three numbers on your contacts or glasses prescription, the last two refer to astigmatism:
- “Spherical” indicates whether you are nearsighted or farsighted. A plus sign indicates you are farsighted, a minus sign indicates you are nearsighted. The higher the number, the stronger your prescription.
- “Cylinder” measures what degree of astigmatism you have, or how flat or irregular your cornea is shaped.
- “Axis” is measured in degrees, and refers to where on the cornea the astigmatism is located. Axis numbers go from 0 to 180.
I actually got two DQs. One for astigmatism and another for the spherical equivalent. But good news!! I got a remedial! I have to get some tests done and I might be able to get the decision overturned. The waiver authority told me that for basic commissioning standards they add the spherical equivalent to HALF of the astigmatism which would put me above the DQ limit but below the unwaiverable limit. For pilot commissioning standards they add the spherical equivalent to the WHOLE astigmatism, which would DQ me for a waiver as well (the limit for waivers is +/- 10 diopters). I will keep you guys updated and I hope this info helps someone in the future!!
The same exact thing occurred with my DS! It was maddening and ultra consuming! We were all amazed by such a misdiagnosis which caused weeks of sleepless nights for our entire family. Glad your situation was resolved!
Do you have any updates?
Unfortunately not as of now. I’m still in the process of getting the exams done. Thanks for the check up though!!