PearlPilot

Something that I am really self conscious about.(maybe a little too much). I have not yet started my flight training, but will do so starting from May (hopefully). I currently have 20/20 vision with contacts. I have been wearing them for about 2+ years now and I was too lazy to pick up a pair of glasses. But I know it is required for the medical. Last year I when I went for my annual exam my eyes were fine and they gave me the same prescription. (left -1.50, right -.75). But this year the prescription changed. My eyes have gotten a little worse. I got -2.25 on the left and -1.25 on the right. I was really worried. I read a ton of articles about how you should exercise and eat the right food. I have been running almost every day and avoiding eating foods with a lot of sugar. Am I being a little too sensitive here?

KZ1000Shaft

It sounds like you are worried about diabetic retinopathy in which case, unless you have diabetes, I think you may be a little too sensitive on the subject. How old are you? Your eye sight can and will change. As a general rule it will stabilize after reaching your early-mid twenties. It may still shift after this point, but usually no more than about a quarter diopter. Eventually you might start to get that old man I need reading glasses shift in your vision as you pass 40 (presbyopia for you technical types). These ages are just general rules of thumb, you may be different. If your optometrist says your eyes are healthy, I wouldn't worry. If you are at all concerned get yourself checked out ASAP as early detection has the best outcome. As long as your vision can be corrected to 20/20 you will have no problems getting a medical. For instance I have a correction of -4.5 (that’s the really really sh!tty line, above the E on the eye chart) and with glasses I can see 20-15 and with contacts I can read the 20-10 line. Just make sure you are correctable and have healthy eyes and I wouldn't worry.

On a side note, keep up the exercise and healthy eating habits. You will benefit greatly all over for this and it is much better (an easier) to stay in shape than regain shape, even though round is still a shape.

PearlPilot

I am 21 now, I am concerned because my father has diabetes but he was not diagnosed till into his mid 30's. But I think if I took care now I should be good. My doctor did say that my eyes are good. Thanks for your advice!

rickair7777

At your age, expect your distant vision to change some over the next few years, then it it should stabilize by age 30 and remain stable for decades. After age 40 your near vision may change, requiring bifocals. This is all normal and not a problem for airline pilots.

Note: Your refractive error looks close to 20/100. If you cannot see 20/100 or better WITHOUT correction in each eye, a few US airlines might not hire you, and most foriegn airlines won't either. The 20/100 used to be the FAA requirement (dropped 10 years ago), and a few US airlines still require it. I would expect most or all US carriers to drop this requirement as time passes (and people sue them). At your age, it shouldn't affect you unless you want to work for a foriegn carrier.

Regarding diabetes, the medical establishment has come to the conclusion that most adult-onset diabetes can be prevented by diet and exercise. My father had exactly this experience, lost a bunch of weight, improved the diet (still drinks) and his blood sugar is just fine now. You should probably research it, and evaluate your lifestyle to decide what your risks are and what you can do about it.

BDGERJMN

FWIW, I had 20/20 in college but toward the end started straining to see 20/20. When I started flight school(AUG 98) in the Navy, they gave me cheaters. Over the next 5 years my eyes worsened to about 20/40 (20/100 dilated) due to astigmatism. They then stabalized there. I recently had PRK on both eyes on the Navy's dime. I am seeing 20/15 in both eyes and can nearly read the 20/10 line two months later.

If you are considering any kind of corrective surgery, I would highly recommend PRK. It is more painful, but in the end much safer, better healing, and less long term side effects than LASIK.

If you are considering any kind of military aviation, LASIK will be a disqualifier, at least right now for the Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard. I cannot speak for the Army or AF but have heard the same. PRK is the only approved procedure I'm aware of.

Good luck, PRK was the best thing I have done.

Bdger

LAfrequentflyer

I'm active duty AF and had PRK done as well. I went from 20/400 and 20/650 to 20/20 in both eyes.

PRK is the way to go...You can avoid the pain by following directions and start taking the pain meds ASAP - even if you don't need them...

-LAFF

Derek

What are the differences between the two procedures and what does PRK stand for?

KiloAlpha

http://www.prk.com/whatisPRK.html

Derek

Interesting, thanks a bunch! Still don't know if I could trust someone with my eyes just because there still is that small chance of something going wrong...

BDGERJMN

PRK and LASIK are essentially the same laser procedure. The difference is in how they get the laser to the Cornea. In Lasik, they cut a flap in the outer layer of the cornea(either with a blade or another laser and peel the flap back, zap your eyes, put the flap back and it heals.

PRK, they scrub the outer layer away(corneal abrasion) zap your eyes, put a soft contact lense over the abrasion for 5 days until it heals and walaa. As LAFF said, there is a fair amount of pain in PRK but he's spot on, if you stay ahead of the pain meds you're golden. One thing to check before you do it. THe Navy and I'm sure the AF have strict guidelines as to how far your eyes can be off with respect to diopters and other parameters before they will allow a PRK waiver. I have a friend who flies up at SPI and wanted to get into Navy OCS. He did and got a flight spot only to get told there that he wasnt' waiverable. Big screw upon the Navy's part and wasted alot of time and money.

Here's the navy's waiver guide on PRK:

2. 1. A waiver may be submitted no earlier than:

U.S. Navy Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide Ophthalmology - 19

1.  
   1. a. 3 months for myopia less than -6.00 diopters spherical equivalent (SE)
   2. b. 6 months for myopia greater than or equal to -6.00 diopters SE
   3. c. 6 months for hyperopia (SE) measured under cycloplegia

1. 2. Visual Acuity - each eye with or without corrective lenses must be:
   1. a. Class I - 20/20-0/10 letters
   2. b. Class II and III - 20/20-3/10 letters or better
   3. c. Corrective lenses must be worn while flying if needed to achieve the VA standard
2. 3. A normal postoperative slit lamp exam
   
3. 4. There must be no symptoms that would be cause for concern when considering the performance of the member’s usual flight duties
   
4. 5. If topical medication is still required (other than artificial tears) then restriction of flight activities to the local area would be prudent
   
5. 6. An enhancement or "touch-up" must meet the same guidelines.

1. 1. May obtain PRK at their expense from civilian sources of care.
2. 2. Pre-operative refractive error measured under cycloplegia must not exceed - 8.00 to + 3.00 (SE) and 3.00 diopters of cylinder.
3. 3. Anisometropia should not exceed 3.50 diopters (using SE for each eye).
4. 4. SNA applicants must meet refractive, cycloplegic, and vision standards postoperatively.

1. 1. Shall be treated at a DOD refractive surgery center.
2. 2. Following review and endorsement by two local flight surgeons, and an optometrist or ophthalmologist and concurrence of the commanding officer, the CRS/PRK AMS template may serve as a LBFS and a 90-day aeromedical clearance notice may be issued.
3. 3. The flight surgeon shall submit the completed CRS AMS in accordance with the instructions located on the top of the form.

1. 1. May obtain PRK at their expense from civilian sources of care.
2. 2. An Aviation CRS (PRK) Request and the pre-operative evaluation shall be submitted to NAMI Ophthalmology before CRS surgery.
3. 3. Approval to proceed requires written permission from the unit commander, unit flight surgeon, and NAMI Ophthalmology.