Forum: Future F-16 crew

Guest

Hey guys, Im going up for my UPT slot in a couple months but I need surgery on my eyes. I was just wondering if anybody had any helpful words of wisdom so that I don't end up screwing myself. Thanks, Rooster

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You mean like laser surgery ?? You need to talk to a flight surgeon and they will give you all the rules. Example: USAF ; they didn't know how to handle the idea of laser surgery at first and kinda had some weird policy about it. Now they have guidance on this

http://www.af.mil/news/Apr2001/n20010420_0540.shtml

http://www.flymilitary.com/squadrons/default.htm

Quote:

The Air Force has lowered their vision requirements to 20/70 with no near sightedness or laser correction. However, your eyesight must be correctable to 20/20 with corrective lenses. There are waivers available for qualified individuals but it's on a case to case basis with no guarantees. The AF is looking into new methods of laser correction and might allow it in the future, but even the latest in corrective laser surgery is detectable using cornealtopography - so don't try to cheat! Cornealtophography is performed at Brooks AFB when you go there for the advanced medical portion of your pipeline. They also perform an extensive color blindness test and red lens test. Brooks only has a 2% washout rate so it's nothing to sweat over.

Just double check with who you are applying for and their policy on this.

Erm... why is it that the USAF do not allow laser surgery?

I mean the RSAF pays for your surgery if you need any and if you pass air grading and have been accepted into flight school....

That may have changed. There was at a time a reason for it (don't know what that was). Best bet is to talk to someone in flight medicine.

elp wrote:

That may have changed. There was at a time a reason for it ( don't know what that was ). Best bet is to talk to someone in flight medicine.

LASIK is not allowed because there is a concern that the flap may come loose at a later date due to impact or under high G. This is probably a legitimate concern as LASIK flap detachement has been documented as long as a year after the surgery.

With PRK this is not an issue, although I believe the effects on low light vision are still being studied.

-Mark

Guest

I know they allow PRK. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with this and if you had any pointers because I keep hearing "Be careful with the paperwork or youll get screwed" Kinda makes me nervous.

Guest

I know you have to have a year between your last surgery and flying with PRK. So get it ASAP if you can. Like it's been said before talk to the flight doc about it and don't let them bulldog you. If you want to fly, pursue it and get a waiver. Remember one important thing in the Air Force especially flying, if there's a will there's a waiver.
Good Luck

Anybody know what the pre-operation requirements are for having the PRK done by the AF? I know that I could have the surgery to reach 20/20 but I've heard that there are even pre-op requirements. I have a whopping -5.75 correction in both eyes.

This is the USAF PRK REGISTRY. We are responsible for reviewing and approving any USAF aviator applicants to proeceed with PRK or LASIK.

To find detailed information about the USAF PRK program go to this website:

http://www.brooks.af.mil/web/consult_se ... t/prk.htm?

Click on the buttons that applies to you.
Look at the FAQ page for easy information about this program.

Points of contact for additonal information are on this site.

Just checked out the site. Im looking to fly in the AF, but I would need the PRK surgery.

I found this and kinda threw me off, so to speak

http://www.brooks.af.mil/web/consult_se ... _info.htm?

Quote:

Contact lens wear after CRS may not be possible. In addition, everyone will eventually need reading glasses for near vision tasks. More importantly, there is a chance (<1%) that you will not be able to meet aeromedical vision standards after PRK treatment even with corrective lenses.

It says everyone will eventually need reading glasses for near vision tasks. Anyone know if thats true? Doesn't seem to sound too good, maybe they need to improve the surgery. How long before you would need to use glasses for near vision tasks?

viperman26 wrote:

Just checked out the site. Im looking to fly in the AF, but I would need the PRK surgery.

I found this and kinda threw me off, so to speak

http://www.brooks.af.mil/web/consult_se ... _info.htm?

Quote:

Contact lens wear after CRS may not be possible. In addition, everyone will eventually need reading glasses for near vision tasks. More importantly, there is a chance (<1%) that you will not be able to meet aeromedical vision standards after PRK treatment even with corrective lenses.

It says everyone will eventually need reading glasses for near vision tasks. Anyone know if thats true? Doesn't seem to sound too good, maybe they need to improve the surgery. How long before you would need to use glasses for near vision tasks?

Late 40's early 50's for most people. It has nothing do do with CRS (corneal refractive surgery). It is called presbyopia, and is a hardening of the lens. Since the lens becomes stiffer, eventually the muscles in the eye cannot focus up close anymore.

-Mark

OK, thanks for clearing that up Mark. Apprecaite the response.

Thanks again.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

PrK Surgery