Naval Aviator Eyesight Question?
February 20, 2010 by admin
Filed under FAQ on advance for astigmatism
Hello, I am currently a freshman in college and I have applied for a NROTC scholarship for next year. I would love to be a naval aviator and I know I have what it takes. So let me get to the point, my eye sight is around 20/200 uncorrected with a slight astigmatism. With my contacts I have 20/20. If I have competitive grades, and are given the opportunity to get my wings from ROTC, will I be able to receive a waiver and get PRK eye surgery to correct my vision, or do you believe it would be smart to start looking else where. Thank you for your time.
For naval aviators in the Marines, there is a soft contact lens waiver available. I am not sure about naval aviators in the Navy, but the vision requirements are otherwise identical.
AVIATION APPLICANTS
Applicants who desire to apply for a guaranteed position in aviation must pass two additional requirements, a cycloplegic eye exam and the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB). Aviators (pilots) must have 20/40 or better vision in each eye. However, as of 1 June 2005, applicants outside those requirements may apply for a contact lens waiver. Applicants must have uncorrected vision better than 20/400 and be correctable to 20/20 with soft contacts. In addition, they must be able to show they’ve worn soft contacts for at least six months without any type of problems. Naval Flight Officers(co-pilots/navigators)
must simply have vision correctable to 20/20. Applicants who have had their vision surgically corrected should be aware that only vision
correction through the PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) procedure is eligible for aviation. Applicants who have had their vision corrected through the LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) procedure are disqualified for aviation, but may apply for the ground or law program.”http://www.und.nodak.edu/org/mao/MarineP…
Good Luck!
Nope,
The Navy has NOT approved PRK eye surgery for flight school candidates yet.
They are still in the middle of their study on PRK.
That’s why Naval Academy Midshipmen are allowed PRK
They are using Midshipmen who have PRK and go into flight training for the study.
But they have not approved PRK for anyone else, yet.
There are actually some in the Navy, who do not want PRK approved.
Up to now, top ranked midshipmen who wore glass’s, usually went into the Submarine service.
Now they are getting PRK and going to Flight School.
You do not meet standards the way you are now for pilot training. They only allow 20/40 uncorrected to get into flight school. You can however get into the Navigator program so at least you will be in the plane, just not flying it.
You can get laser surgery and if you are corrected to 20/40 or better you can apply for flight training but you should find out FOR SURE just what type of laser surgery they will authorize. Be a bummer if you got the wrong type and that permanently disqualifies you.
See reference below.
Good luck.
PRK and you’re good. First guy’s wrong, if you went to the Academy they’d pay for it, but its coming out of your own pocket since you’re reserves (gay I know, I’m personally not necessarily looking forward to spending $5000 to be eligible for flight school but it’ll be worth it)
EDIT: Jeeper is definitely wrong, he isn’t speaking from experience, which I am.
PRK has been an accepted and regular part of aviation for a few years now. There are no guarantees for the outcome of the surgery, but the Navy will pay for it now.