Vision Q's
 

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?
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?
3.) Is there a difference between in the vision of a fighter pilot and a cargo or support pilots eyes?
4.) If it can be corrected, does this include contact or glasses, or some type of eye surgery (if accepted at all)?

Any answers or first hand knowledge would be great.
Thanks for your time.
WildSmurf.

There are several Naval Aviators on a website called www.airwarriors.com

The subject of vision requirements, overall life, selection process, etc can be found there easily under the 'search' function. Those topics are discussed there in a very detailed manner, up to date, and are really helpful. Just don't post any questions there unless they are really specific and can't be answered anywhere else under the 'search'.

Good luck!

I will tell you my experience with the Air Force. When I was getting my medical one year ago, the limit was 20/50 correctable to 20/20 in each eye. I have heard now that they are thinking about changing it to 20/200, but it could have just been a misinformed recruiter. Since I am 20/50 I would really like some breathing room so I hope it is true.

As far as different vision standards for each type of flying, that is not true for the Air Force and I imagine it is the same for the Navy. They can't tell if you are going to be a fighter pilot or a cargo pilot when you apply and they don't want to invest a large amount of money training someone who is limited to a specific type of airframe.

And don't get any eye surgery until after you talk with a recruiter. If it doesn't meet their standards, you will be denied no matter how good your eyesight is now.

Generally Navy, USMC (and USCG?) require 20/20 uncorrected in each eye.

Other services typically may allow 20/50 - 20/70.

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.

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.

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.

The Navy standard on entering is 20/40 correctable to 20/20. Like you said, once you finish, your eye's can continue to get worse as long as it is correctable to 20/20. Not sure what the limit is...how bad they can get. There is a diaopter range I believe.

I would like to thank everyone for their answers. I have advised him to get an account and ask his own questions on this site and at others given. Sorry it took so long to get back to this site but work is starting to pick up. Again thank you.

The wildsmurf