Vision waiver

Blueman

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May 14, 2016
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If a person has an LOA from USMA with stellar background but was DQ'ed for -9.0 nearsightedness, is a waiver still a possibility? A relative has been waiting for a waiver since summer but hasn't heard still and is getting discouraged. She had no problems as long as wearing contacts or glasses. Is it a difficult one to get a waiver? Are they very strict with the -8.0 maximum? I know that other branches might be tougher with vision, but I wasn't sure with USMA. Is there anyone here who actually got a waiver for worse than -8.0?
 
Unfortunately most of the post we get for DoDMERB issues are like yours, questions on what are my chances or looking for advice. Most do not post their ultimate results. Getting a waiver for refractive error greater than 8.0 or -8.0 diopters is difficult. It is not necessarily the refractive error itself that is the main issue, but with refractive error that large there is an increased chance of retinal detachment.
Waivers will be difficult, but here is a reported waiver for refractive error of -8.37 for USNA https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/dodmerb-waiver-struggle.45077/

Here is another post, but we do not know if they ever got a waiver, https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/i-am-medically-disqualified.51825/

Best of luck and let us know the ultimate outcome.
 
Just curious, but why are you asking for "a relative"? It should matter most to them... is it a daughter? Niece?

In many instances, slots are filled with those not needing eyesight waivers first, then those requiring waivers are selected as needed. Many times vision problems result in restricted duty, and that limits the options for the military.
 
Unfortunately most of the post we get for DoDMERB issues are like yours, questions on what are my chances or looking for advice. Most do not post their ultimate results. Getting a waiver for refractive error greater than 8.0 or -8.0 diopters is difficult. It is not necessarily the refractive error itself that is the main issue, but with refractive error that large there is an increased chance of retinal detachment.
Waivers will be difficult, but here is a reported waiver for refractive error of -8.37 for USNA https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/dodmerb-waiver-struggle.45077/

Here is another post, but we do not know if they ever got a waiver, https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/i-am-medically-disqualified.51825/

Best of luck and let us know the ultimate outcome.


Hi 5Day, I didn't post my waiver results because I didn't have my DODMERB exam yet. Just preparing for what's to come haha.
 
@DROGE456 Yes, I saw that you were still active on this board. I didn't mean to specifically point you out, but just referenced your thread for some good information.
 
The being said, I did email Mr. Mullen and he said "Prior to the current waiver authority, waivers were rare. That said there is a new waiver authority and I don't have a track record on that Ophthalmologist yet. That's why to sooner you complete your Admissions package, the sooner they can download you, and the sooner you can obtain your exams and find out."

Lets hope this new waiver authority/ophthalmologist is more generous with myopia. Good luck Blueman
 
Not sure if anyone was following this thread still, but here's the outcome. She was DQ'ed twice after appealing, and although she could have pushed further if she really wanted, the ophthalmologist did not feel good about putting a "blind" person in a military leader position, compromising her own safety and others. She decided to give up on her USMA dream and has started actively pursuing plan B instead. Because she received LOA so early, no one expected this outcome, but it does happen. For those who are hoping to get a waiver with extremely bad eyesight, it's something to keep in mind.
 
Not sure if anyone was following this thread still, but here's the outcome. She was DQ'ed twice after appealing, and although she could have pushed further if she really wanted, the ophthalmologist did not feel good about putting a "blind" person in a military leader position, compromising her own safety and others. She decided to give up on her USMA dream and has started actively pursuing plan B instead. Because she received LOA so early, no one expected this outcome, but it does happen. For those who are hoping to get a waiver with extremely bad eyesight, it's something to keep in mind.
Thank you for sharing. Best of luck to DD in all her future endeavors!
 
Thank you for sharing. Best of luck to DD in all her future endeavors!
Oh, as I stated in my original post, it wasn't DD. It was a relative. The reason why we were so emotionally involved was that she and my DD are the same age and found out that they were both applying to SA at the same time. We've been keeping in touch, updating and encouraging each other every step. It would've been incredible if they both got appointments together, but we were all heartbroken for her.
 
HI Blueman. If you dont mind me asking, did DD/relative get requested for a waiver or did she just appeal the DQ?
 
HI Blueman. If you dont mind me asking, did DD/relative get requested for a waiver or did she just appeal the DQ?

DD and the relative girl were strangely enough both DQ'ed for bad eyesight. However, my DD's eyes weren't as bad as the girl, so DD got a waiver very quickly and easily. That's why we thought the same would be true with the girl. The family was surprised when we told them DD got a waiver within a few weeks of getting initial DQ because they were waiting and waiting nervously. We literally didn't have to do anything; it was automatic. They figured it was just taking longer for the waiver (waiver was requested for her since she had LOA already), but after remedial work, she was ultimately denied twice for waiver.

As long as you have conditional appointment, a waiver is always always requested on your behalf without you doing anything. If your waiver is denied, I think you can start the appeal process.
 
Blueman, What was her vision? And your DD's as well, if you don't mind. My DS is 20/600 correctable and he's colorblind. He sweated that one out, but passed the vivid red/vivid green test and was cleared. We read and were given a lot of conflicting info on the situation and he was very worried about it. I'm curious about other experiences here.
 
Blueman, What was her vision? And your DD's as well, if you don't mind. My DS is 20/600 correctable and he's colorblind. He sweated that one out, but passed the vivid red/vivid green test and was cleared. We read and were given a lot of conflicting info on the situation and he was very worried about it. I'm curious about other experiences here.

The girl's eyesight was as stated in my original post (above). DD's myopia wasn't that bad. Can't remember the exact number but better than -4.0, most likely 20/400 and correctable to 20/20 both eyes. We were actually even shocked that DD was DQ'ed initially since we didn't think it was all that bad. Perhaps since 20/400 seems to be the cutoff and she was on borderline? Who knows. We just assumed it was a routine "soft" DQ and sure enoug, waiver was granted within a few weeks. Which branch is your DS looking at? I believe USCGA and USNA might be stricter with color blindness (something to do with water), USMA being the most lenient, but I may be wrong. I also heard that the academy standards may be stricter than enlist, but again, I may be wrong.
 
Academies, ROTC and OCS are stricter than enlisted eye standards. USMA is also stricter with color blindness.
 
The girl's eyesight was as stated in my original post (above). DD's myopia wasn't that bad. Can't remember the exact number but better than -4.0, most likely 20/400 and correctable to 20/20 both eyes. We were actually even shocked that DD was DQ'ed initially since we didn't think it was all that bad. Perhaps since 20/400 seems to be the cutoff and she was on borderline? Who knows. We just assumed it was a routine "soft" DQ and sure enoug, waiver was granted within a few weeks. Which branch is your DS looking at? I believe USCGA and USNA might be stricter with color blindness (something to do with water), USMA being the most lenient, but I may be wrong. I also heard that the academy standards may be stricter than enlist, but again, I may be wrong.

Sorry, I forgot to answer your question, he has only applied to USMA. He has awarded a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship back in November and was accepted to The Citadel in September, so his plan B is at least a go.
 
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