Vision standards cga vs. usna

usnakid18

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Does anyone know how the vision standards differ amongst the USCGA USMMA and USNA?
 
USCGA vision disqualifications

  • Uncorrected visual acuity worse than 20/400 in either eye.
  • Vision not correctable to 20/20 in either eye.
  • Refractive error exceeding plus or minus 8.00 diopters (spherical equivalent).
  • Astigmatism exceeding 3.00 diopters.
  • Anisometropia exceeding 3.5 diopters.
  • Refractive error corrected by orthokeratology, kerato-refractive, PRK, laser, or any other corneal enhancement.
  • Color perception deficiency, either complete or partial.
 
I'm not positive but the USNA eye requirements are very similar. I'm certain that 'Color Vision' is a DQ for both the USNA and NROTC.
 
For USNA Appointment - mine was DQ'd but waiverable with vision worse than 20/40. (his was 20/50 and that was the only value out of the allowable range.)

The problem also lies not with just the minimum requirement but also with the number who are in the waiverable range as only X number are allowed and when that is met the DQ will hold.

Eyes and Vision Disqualifications
Below is a listing of those eye and vision disqualifi cations that are the most prevalent. This listing, while comprehensive, does not contain all possible disqualifications for eyes and vision.

1) Vision not correctable to 20/20 in both eyes is disqualifying. Refractive error exceeding + or –6.00 diopters and astigmatism exceeding 3.00 diopters is disqualifying.

2) Substandard color vision is disqualifying. Requests for waiver of the color vision standard are normally not considered. Color vision is also retested on Induction Day.

3) Many chronic eye diseases/conditions such as keratoconus, glaucoma, optic atrophy, uveitis and retinal degenerations are disqualifying. A waiver is normally not considered.

4) Procedures to change the refraction (refractive surgery) including but not limited to: Lamellar and/or penetrating keratoplasty, radial keratotomy and astigmatic keratotomy is disqualifying. Refractive surgery performed with an Excimer Laser, including but not limited to, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK), and Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is disqualifying if any of the follow conditions are met: the pre-operative refractive error exceeded +6.00 or –6.00 diopters (spherical component only) in either eye, pre-operative astigmatism exceeded 3.00 diopters, at least six-month recovery period has not occurred between last refractive surgery or augmenting procedure and accession medical exam, there have been complications and/or medications or ophthalmic solutions required and post-surgical refraction in
each eye is not stable.

5) If you wear glasses or contact lenses, take them with you to your DoDMERB eye examination. If you wear soft contact lenses, do not use them during the three days preceding your examination. Do not use hard or gas permeable lenses for 21 days before your examination. If you are undergoing orthokeratology or other forms of corneal refractive treatment, do not use your rigid lenses for 90 days.

from the USNA Catalog
 
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2) Substandard color vision is disqualifying. Requests for waiver of the color vision standard are normally not considered. Color vision is also retested on Induction Day.

Color vision is considered for waiver approximately 2% of the time (20 to 24 candidates each year) by the Superintendent, not by DoDMERB, incidentally, one of the only medicals not decided by DoDMERB. The rest of that information I can not confirm.
 
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maximus, where did you get that number, just curious as son has received appointment, 3 noms (1 presidential, 2 congressional) but was DQ'd for Color blindness, we are now waiting waiver decision so am hoping that your numbers are right!
 
Color vision is considered for waiver approximately 2% of the time (20 to 24 candidates each year) by the Superintendent, not by DoDMERB, incidentally, one of the only medicals not decided by DoDMERB. The rest of that information I can not confirm.

What is it that you cannot confirm - what you have written about the 2% and not decided by DodMERB or the information published by the Academy in their Admissions catalog?

I can not confirm this but have been told in the past that the 2% is for all vision waivers. - not correctable to 20/20 and color vision are typically the only items that are considered for a waiver.
 
Larry Mullen confirmed that the color vision waiver is one of the only quasi medical waivers not decided by DoDMERB, the Superintendent grants that waiver.

We also called the USNA Eye Doctor's office and the doctor confirmed that the Superintendent waivers approximately 2% (approx. 24 candidates) for Color Vision deficiency a year. The waiver does not change your DQ for unrestricted line officer, you will leave the academy as either an LDO or USMC.

That is the only eye information that I can confirm.
 
Maximus, Read through past posts and found you all are in the same boat with the color blindness DQ. Have you spoken to anyone at the academy regarding how long it takes,or how often they consider waivers? My husband and son are a lot more patient than I am but then I've never had any patience! My son wrote and asked LT admin officer who said it usally takes a month but its been a little over a month since he received notice of the DQ and it looks like you've been waiting longer than that. Just curious as to what you know. Thanks and good luck to your son!!!
 
Except that USCG does not have "non-line officers" so that option does not exist.
 
Vision not correctable to 20/20?

If they(USNA) give 20-24 color def. waivers per year, does anyone know how many waivers they grant for not correcting to 20/20? Read there is a limit, but just curious how many or how often.
 
sorry-misread

They 'consider' 20-24 cases per year. Wondering how many eye waivers are actually granted.
 
Assuming that they grant any waivers...Do you know if color blind and vision waivers are together for a total of 20 to 24 or is that number only for color blind?
 
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