medical waivers for vision

<p>I hear that not having 20/20 vision is a problem that requires a waiver. How does this affect your chance of admission? Does this put you behind those without waivers? I know the qualifications are more stringent in other areas, ie Sat scores are on average 50 points higher in both Math and Verbal if you have a waiver. What other issues are there? I hear that you may not hear of admission until the very end in April or later. Is this true? Thanks.</p>

<p>It doesn't require a waiver. I have -3.00 diopters in both eyes... about 20/100 or worse. -6.00 is the worst before disqualification, and you can't get a waiver for it. I even failed the depth perception test twice and no waiver was needed.</p>

<p>I was (and remain) blind as a friggin cave shrimp. Part of my "waiver" was getting sent to NAPS.</p>

<p>Thanks, but I thought NAPS was to give kids a chance to spruce up their academics- how does going to NAPS help blind folk see? Do kids with medical waivers get sent to NAPS for some reason? I am confused!</p>

<p>Basically, only ABOUT 30-35% of the class can have vision worse than 20/40. As a second class I believe you can then qualify for PRK surjery, too. If you have an LOA, from what I've heard you get priority on the vision waiver, but that's not certain. The competition for vision waivers is tough, but if you're a top candidate you'll get one.</p>

<p>If you reference the new catalog under Admissions, the Appendix A - Medical Considerations for Admissions has changed tremendously with respect to eyes and vision. The paragraph in this year's addition is a small paragraph, in previous editions it used to be about 1 full page through at least the Class of 2008. In the previous catalogs you needed a waiver for non 20/20 acuity in each eye...which was automatically considered by the board....in now-a-days it seems from reading the small paragraph in 05-06 catalog that there is no vision specification (means it isn't disqualifying)...unless I missed it somewhere.</p>

<p>My son does not feel the need to wear glasses or contacts even though his vision is not quite perfect (I don't know the number). He was "waiverable" for eyes, but received a waiver way back in October I believe, from Dodmerb. He did not even apply for the waiver, they just sent it. But if what you say is true, I can't belive they waivered him for his eyesight.</p>

<p>Those needing vision waivers end up competing with the entire pool of candidates requiring medical waivers of any type. There is a maximum number of appointees in any class which require waivers, somewhere in the range of 30-35%. (for specifics, consult the admissions catalog.) Thus the competition is more rigorous for those requiring waivers of any type.</p>

<p>Vision waivers are usually automatic, (no special request or application necessary) as long as the candidate's vision is within the maximum allowable range. (Otherwise, disqualification) </p>

<p>Generally speaking, those requiring waivers and without LOA are notified later in the process.
Good Luck,
CM</p>

<p>
[quote]
Thanks, but I thought NAPS was to give kids a chance to spruce up their academics- how does going to NAPS help blind folk see? Do kids with medical waivers get sent to NAPS for some reason? I am confused!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>No more than I was.</p>

<p>I just distinctly remember "Vision" being listed as a reason on my paperwork, and I don't think they meant my ability to look into the future.</p>

<p><shrug></shrug></p>

<p>Hey, it's the government!</p>

<p>On the subject of vision wavers...I recall hearing somewhere that Navy has relaxed it's standards to 20/40 being the point where you need a 'waiver'. At first our daughter showed up needing a waiver with one eye 20/15, but the other 20/25...and DoDMEREB called that 'waiverable'. Somewhere late last year we got a letter telling us she was "qualified" - with that one eye not being a perfect 20/25. </p>

<p>Anyone else remember this 20/40 as the threshhold?</p>

<p>Peskemom: our son last year tested 20/30 in one eye (20/20 in the other), deemed by DoDMERB as "waiverable," but still requiring a vision waiver. </p>

<p>This year we went for a briefing with the admissions office during the CVW and the 20/40 cutoff was mentioned. It sounds like the vision requirements have been relaxed starting this admission cycle as opposed to last year. They also stressed, however, that color blindness (to red and green) was still a disqualifier.</p>

<p>so how do we know if we received a vision wavier? on my dodmerb status paige, it says
"D257.70 - Unaided distant visual acuity worse than 20/40" and listed as "waiverable" </p>

<p>but how do we know if we recieve a waiver?</p>

<p>From my son's experience, the waiver becomes automatic if the candidate comes in line for an appointment.
CM</p>