Originally Posted by
WildSmurf
I had a student ask me these questions so here I post to help him out. Just a side note, I told him to talk to a Navy Aviator so he could get the most current information about the Navy, but I would like to hear your answers.
1.) In the Navy or other branches, what does the vision have to be? As in corrected to 20/20 per eye, or 20/20 collective. This is that he has one eye that is 20/20 and another eye that is lower, but can be corrected to 20/20?
Generally Navy, USMC (and USCG?) require 20/20 uncorrected in each eye.
Other services typically may allow 20/50 - 20/70.
Originally Posted by
WildSmurf
2.) Is their a drop off point where the vision is to bad, that he can not be accepted even if it is corrected to 20/20?
Waivers used to be unheard of in the navy, so basically you need 20/20 in each eye with no correction. I have have not heard anything different but maybe others know more.
Originally Posted by
WildSmurf
3.) Is there a difference between in the vision of a fighter pilot and a cargo or support pilots eyes?
Generally, no. Once you complete flight training (or start training in some services) your uncorrected vision can degrade. Once they have the spent the money, they will let you wear glasses.
Originally Posted by
WildSmurf
4.) If it can be corrected, does this include contact or glasses, or some type of eye surgery (if accepted at all)
Correction means glasses or maybe soft contacts. You woll not be allowed to use hard contacts.
Vision surgery is whole 'nother issue...
You must meet the service branches pre-surgery specifications, they may not accept surgery if your original vision was far out of whack.
You must the right kind of surgery (usually PRK, possibly LASIK).
You must have a successful surgery with no complications, and complete a stabilization waiting period.
If you can then pass that services uncorrected requirements, you are good-to-good. Laser surgery, if it meets all their requirements, does not count as correction.
But be advised that there is some risk with surgery...not only could you fail to meet military specs, but you could end up not able to hold an FAA 1st class medical. The risk is small but very, very real...do extensive homework before getting surgery.