<p>Hi everybody, I was medically qualified back in March for USNA. No waiver or anything like that was stated on the letter. Now that comes as a surprise because my eyes are nearly 20/400. I was wondering if I would be able to qualify for PRK or even be eligible for a pilot slot? My mid host at my CVW told me that if my eyes are correctable to 20/20 with contacts or glasses then I should be ok. Thanks!</p>
<p>You will most definitely require PRK to be eligible for a pilot slot. The Academy will examine your eyes during your Junior year and determine if you are a candidate for PRK.</p>
<p>I don't know if you guys have been reading this Air Force post,</p>
<p>but does the "better than -3.75 then get a waiver, then surgery after pilot training" rule apply in the Navy as well?</p>
<p>Zoobernarf, be careful! the navy definitely DOES NOT follow air force rules. below is what i posted to peter on this same question on the serviceacademyforums.com website:</p>
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flight medical requirements and waivers are controlled by NOMI/NAMI and not DODMERB.</p>
<p>the current rules definitely don't allow SNA's to have 20/400 uncorrected vision. there was a brief time when apparently they allowed waivers with contact lenses or glasses, but that went away again. now the only way is to get PRK or LASEK (which is a form of PRK). right now LASIK is a permanent DQ- don't ever get it without talking to a flight surgeon first.</p>
<p>you can really read all about PRK for Naval Aviators here:
PRK</a> - Airwarriors</p>
<p>in particular, there are some sticky threads on vision requirements for SNA's here:
vision</a> requirement for SNA confirmed - Airwarriors
The</a> PRK process from start to finish - Airwarriors</p>
<p>be careful though- the first of these threads talks about a contact lens waiver that was happening back in 2006. this is gone now.</p>
<p>by the way, depending on your uncorrected vision, there may be an enforced waiting period of up to 6mo after you get PRK before you can even apply for a waiver. since you can't get PRK until you are 20yo, i've seem some recommendations for early junior year as the best time for PRK for those that want ot be SNAs- it allows enough waiting time after the surgery to get a waiver and select SNA in time.</p>
<p>i know a lot about this because i've been researching it since i'll need a PRK waiver myself.
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<p>^^^^^^^^Pretty sure the contacts/glasses was only proposed. Don't think it ever actually happened.</p>
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^^^^^^^^Pretty sure the contacts/glasses was only proposed. Don't think it ever actually happened.
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<p>i went back and looked at the thread- it might have only been proposed for pilots too, and not SNA. i didn't see anyone writing in the thread who was an SNA and claimed they actually got a waiver for contacts- just a bunch of people who said their recruiters told them they could. so it might have all been wrong.</p>
<p>anyways, PRK is the way! :)</p>
<p>^^^^^^^The links you posted to airwarriors appeared to be several individuals with conflicting opinions who were all sure they were correct. The thing to keep in mind is that there are entry level visions requirements to enter the program and then a more lax set of requirements once one becomes an Aviator. I think this has led to some confusion.</p>
<p>and for me, i'm actually not going to do a thing until a flgiht surgeon sees me and tells me exactly what i need to do and what papers i should file. when i was first on airwarriors.com, i read the following nightmarish story of one person getting the WRONG surgery and getting totally screwed!
Eye</a> surgery...should I get it and when? - Airwarriors</p>
<p>What an awful tale....wonder what ever happened to him?</p>
<p>Wow....
definitely good stuff to learn from. It sounds like anyone going for the aviation that doesn't meet vision requirements uncorrected should just wait until the academy tells them what to do.</p>
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<p>Yes, there actually was a contact lens program for a time, not sure what has happened to it.</p>
<p>I was referring to the statement that SNAs were allowed to enter the program with 20/400 and wear contact lens or glasses. Don't think it ever happened.</p>
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I was referring to the statement that SNAs were allowed to enter the program with 20/400 and wear contact lens or glasses. Don't think it ever happened.
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<p>It for sure never happened with Academy SNAs. We were told about this program in sept of firstie year, but it got pulled within days of service selection. That being said, I can't comment on whether or not the program was ever activated, only that no Academy guys got to flight school with it</p>
<p>Between 20/200 and 20/400 is considered Service Group 3. SG3 can only fly dual controlled aircraft with another qualified pilot in the other seat. It has been this way at least since I was an Ensign. SG3s could therefore not complete the solo portion of the flight training syllabus. I can't imagine the reasoning that would even cause them to consider it.</p>