<p>I had three surgeries on the muscles surrounding my eyes when i was 3 yrs. old (because they were weak, which made me cross-eyed). Does that qualify as "eye surgery" even though nothing was done to the eye to improve my vision, but only the tissue surrounding it in order to point said vision in the right direction?</p>
<p>This is what the USNA FAQ page said:
[quote]
All forms of surgical, laser, and mechanical procedures performed to improve vision are disqualifying for admission. Extremely few waivers have been granted for students who have received this type of medical treatment. In general, it is prudent to delay all refractive surgery procedures until after the progression of nearsightedness associated with growth in eye size has ceased (beyond age 21 for many people).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>i think it does qualify as "eye surgery" (my brother had a similar procedure because of a lazy eye) but the quote says "performed to improve vision" and if the surgery was performed to correct crossed eyes, then I wouldn't think that would be considered improving vision..IMO</p>
<p>i did have 2 eye surgerys when i was in first and second grade (for lazy eye). but if i am not interseted in flying can i still qualify for the academy? Does it matter?</p>
<p>You will get medically DQ by the DODMERB however you should be able to get a waiver for it.</p>
<p>Yes, what you had is called strabismus surgery, and it does count as eye surgery. </p>
<p>Some people who have corrective surgery for crossed eyes have subnormal vision and/or depth perception. The surgery itself may be waiverable, but if you have persistant subnormal vision or depth perception you may be DQ'ed. It will depend on your individual situation, and the Academy will likely request more detailed vision testing to ensure you have normal vision.</p>
<p>no, now my eyes are fine, i used to not have any depth perception like everyone else has, i could tell things were closer or far away but my eyes worked diffrently to compare things. i also couldent see 3D objects-(like when they give you those funny glasses and have you look at those booklet things) now i can see fine. </p>
<p>do these same rules apply for the other service academies?
and why does it matter if we had surgery or not?</p>
<p>Depth perception and visual acuity (the measure of how well you can see, like 20/20) develops by age 5-6. If your eyes aren't lined up and given a clear image, the eye and brain do not develop properly. If that happens, depth perception is subnormal and sometimes one eye cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or contacts to see 20/20. You will have to verify with each academy what their requirements for vision and depth perception are. They usually differ for acceptance and PQ. </p>
<p>My best advice to you is to get your vision completely tested by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to tell you whether you have normal vision and depth perception (stereopsis). </p>
<p>Many people who have strabismus surgery at the age of 2, 3, 4 or 5 have fully normal vision. You are lucky - your parents had your eye health checked and took corrective action at a young age so you have a good chance of having normal vision. Even if your vision is not normal you may still be able to obtain a waiver (though probably not a PQ). Either way, it's better to go into the process with all the facts. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>okay, so hang on for a second...it is okay that i had those surgeries on my eyes, or do i need to get a waiver? i can see fine now, so i dont get why it would matter to them if i had surgery done or not.</p>
<p>You will need to tell the academy that you had the surgeries and they may require additional testing to document that your vision is, in fact, normal. </p>
<p>It is very hard for the patient to tell that his/her vision is "normal" if they have never known anything different. Many paople who have vision that is less than 20/20 or less than full depth perception function very well in life and have no frame of reference on which to base their perception of normal vision. Thus, testing is the only way to measure and ascertain how your eyes function. Have you had your eyes tested and know for a fact that both eyes are correctable to 20/20 and you have 20 arc-seconds of depth perception? If so, then you can rest a little easier b/c it is likely you wouldn't be disqualified.</p>
<p>I do not know the individual academy criteria, but I can certainly see the justification for not accepting and/or non-PQ'ing anyone with subnormal depth perception.</p>
<p>
[quote]
okay, so hang on for a second...it is okay that i had those surgeries on my eyes, or do i need to get a waiver? i can see fine now, so i dont get why it would matter to them if i had surgery done or not.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You will need to report it.
It doesn't matter if you think it matters or not.
It matters on several levels, none of which changes the fact that you need to report it.</p>
<p>Whether or not you will need a waiver is still far down the road at this point. DODMERB is the first step. Report the surgery, get your eyes tested, get DODMERB results, and follow-up from there. If you need a waiver, you will be notified.</p>
<p>Don't report and run the risk of being turned away come I-DAY for "failure to report." Not exactly the way you want to approach your application to an institution that holds to honesty and integrity as a core value.</p>
<p>the last time i was tested was about 1 year ago, they said i had normal depth perception and my eyes were 20/20, so i was really happy to hear that! i am just worried about this, it has never occured to me if my eyes would be good enough or not. i am sure i will be okay though, i suppose if my eyes are not perfect by the time i get tested there will be someting to to improve them (glasses) so i will be okay. </p>
<p>what do you mean by-dont report...being turned away...for "failure to report?"</p>
<p>meaning why would i not report?</p>
<p>xcpetersen:
What will happen is this:
You will complete your medical history and note that you had eye surgery. You will have an eye exam by an optomotrist and color vision screening done as a part of your medical exam.
DoDMERB will probably want more "information" - if so, they will issue a "remedial" to you that may or may not involve a questionairre, complete birth to present medical records (including those that involve the eye surgery) and/or another visit to an optomotrist or opthamologist.</p>
<p>Don't worry - they will make a complete review of you and your history before they make a determination. If you are indeed DQ'd then admissions at the academy to which you apply can request a waiver for you.</p>
<p>Note - the original post refers to surgery to correct nearsightedness, ie, LASIK or PRK. NO ONE should be getting either surgery done before applying, at this time anyway.</p>
<p>Finally, my "advice" to you is to go forward. Know what to expect and don't sweat it - do have a Plan "B".</p>
<p>
[quote]
what do you mean by-dont report...being turned away...for "failure to report?"</p>
<p>meaning why would i not report?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Perhaps I should have substituted the word "disclose" for "report!"</p>
<p>The "failure to report" is in reference to medical/surgical history that is not reported on the DODMERB forms. [it has nothing to do with failing to report- as in "show up"- for I-day]. If you fail to list a history of color blindness, for example, an "automatic disqualifier" (with few exceptions), and you get an appointment, and on I-Day when you are retested your color blindness is "discovered," then you stand a very good chance of being sent right home for "failing to report" a medical condition on your admission forms.</p>
<p>So the advice is to complete the DODMERB forms accurately. It would be most unwise to lie, omit, or otherwise attempt to circumvent the reporting of medical or surgical history. </p>
<p>Don't worry what "will be." Just get your forms done and get them in. If you are qualified- great. If not, then you will have a chance- and a process- to appeal that. </p>
<p>So one step at a time.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It would be most unwise to lie, omit, or otherwise attempt to circumvent the reporting of medical or surgical history.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I concur. </p>
<p>DODMERB Disqualification Code D252.00 - Failure To Disclose Information</p>
<p>Of the 400+ reasons for earning a DQ from DODMERB, this one might be one of the hardest to waive.</p>
<p>There have been stories here (I cannot verify if they are true or not) of Midshipman being sent home weeks AFTER reporting when something was discovered in their medical files that had not been disclosed.</p>
<p>Be honest, disclose everything, deal with the DQ/waiver process if necessary.</p>
<p>okay, thanks for all of your help, i really dont think that i will have any trouble with it, so i will just go with the flow! ;)</p>