Will I be DQ from a pilot slot?

[HighVoltage]

I have -3.5 in my right eye and -2.75 in my left eye and I don’t have astigmatism or any other conditions. I read on the air force website that your eye site must be no worse than 20/70. Will I be DQ from having a pilot slot even if I get LASIK?
Thanks,

 

[JulietTengoWhiskey16]

High Voltage,
I just posted a similar question, and didn’t realize you already inquired.
My understanding is you will be disqualified .... read this. Be sure to scroll down about “pilot vision requirements”

Standards | Medical Requirements | U.S. Air Force Academy

All candidates admitted to the U.S. Air Force Academy must meet the medical standards, including height, weight, vision, hearing, dental, and others.

www.academyadmissions.com

I wonder if the cadets can get corrective surgeries after acceptance and Then become pilots....? As it states the “complete Air Force vision exam is accomplished second year”
Good luck...

 

[Stealth_81]

There is an opportunity to get vision correction surgery at USAFA and become a pilot. My son had the surgery and now flies F-16s.

Stealth_81

 

[JulietTengoWhiskey16]

Thank you Stelth_81
That is a relief to hear.

 

[BobbyBall]

To add on to the current responses. You can get LASIK or PRK after you commit your 7 years essentially. So after the first day of your 2 degree year, you can try and get eye surgery done at the Academy. As long as your vision is correctable, you shouldn't worry about getting DQ'd.

 

[daavve]

I wouldn't get LASIK or any other eye surgery before you go to USAFA. When I went in 2004 everyone who had surgery before they went to the Academy didn't pass the flight physical. If you do have surgery, the military prefers to do it. They want to make absolutely certain that your eye can handle the G's.

They can do the surgery in the Cadet Eye clinic.

 

[JulietTengoWhiskey16]

To add on to the current responses. You can get LASIK or PRK after you commit your 7 years essentially. So after the first day of your 2 degree year, you can try and get eye surgery done at the Academy. As long as your vision is correctable, you shouldn't worry about getting DQ'd.

Ok. Great, thanks BobbyBall

 

[tchr5thgrd]

I have a nephew that commissioned through AFROTC. He is currently flying F16s, and he wears contacts. I asked him about this, because I thought that pilots weren't allowed to wear contacts/glasses. He said that it isn't a problem. Perhaps it is a case by case basis.

 

[HueyNation]

I have a nephew that commissioned through AFROTC. He is currently flying F16s, and he wears contacts. I asked him about this, because I thought that pilots weren't allowed to wear contacts/glasses. He said that it isn't a problem. Perhaps it is a case by case basis.

Contacts are fairly common amongst pilots who need vision correction - back in UPT a good number of my buddies opted to join the contact lens program thru optometry to avoid having to wear glasses with their helmets. Even operationally now most folks here wear contacts on their flying days, myself included - it gets rid of that bulk in front of your eyes (especially ideal to not have them with NVGs), plus there's no danger of your vision fogging up.