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Laser eye surgery
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Northpolar
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- Location: Norway
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Northpolar
- Member
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue 15 Jul, 2003 2:15 am
- Location: Norway
Laser eye surgery
I sent a letter to the MO where my RG8 (application form) was sent and I've just received a reply in which he informed me that he would do the best to facilitate my entry into the forces when I reapply in Feb 2004. He also stated that he would contact one of his colleagues (an Army Consulting Opthalmologic Surgeon) to ask his advice. He would then get back to me when the Surgeon gave his verdict. Of course I'll keep everyone here posted as soon as I receive that info.
PS, In my case they will be checking LASIK surgery. If anybody has taken any other form of surgery then maybe the answer wouldn't apply in their respective cases.
PSS: an extra note to Shaun, up to a couple years ago laser eye surgery was an automatic bar to service in the forces. The MOd has said that they're revising this policy and will accept applications based on type of surgery performed and the merits of each individual case. In my case I had LASIK performed in January this year with excellent results, but my application (made in may this year) was rejected and I was advised to reapply in February 2004. The Metropolitan police have opted for a 12 month post-LASIK waiting period before acccepting recruits. Seems like the Armed Forces might be doing the same. It is still however an automatic bar to service in the Air Force, possibly will also be a bar to certain jobs in the Forces as well.
As aforementioened I'll keep the site posted :evilbat:
PS, In my case they will be checking LASIK surgery. If anybody has taken any other form of surgery then maybe the answer wouldn't apply in their respective cases.
PSS: an extra note to Shaun, up to a couple years ago laser eye surgery was an automatic bar to service in the forces. The MOd has said that they're revising this policy and will accept applications based on type of surgery performed and the merits of each individual case. In my case I had LASIK performed in January this year with excellent results, but my application (made in may this year) was rejected and I was advised to reapply in February 2004. The Metropolitan police have opted for a 12 month post-LASIK waiting period before acccepting recruits. Seems like the Armed Forces might be doing the same. It is still however an automatic bar to service in the Air Force, possibly will also be a bar to certain jobs in the Forces as well.
As aforementioened I'll keep the site posted :evilbat:
ive been accepted for training in November, and Ive had LASIK.Sorry if this post is a little late for you, but ive just joined this forum.
I had lasik done in feb02, applied in april 02, had to wait until july 03 to get to rsc, do a regimental selection, then given my atr phase 1 date.
Had to visit Army designated specialist 4 times an another specialist once.They are checking for your eyesight in different lighting conditions, and any complications.I was passed fit so the Army board HAVE to take their specialists own advice.Since i hadnt done these specialist tests b4 surgery they had nothing to compare it to, except the general poulation. Pointless really!
It also specifically states in the JSPs that LASIK and PRK are permitted, but that other surgery is not.And Aircrew are not permitted at all to have laser eye surgery. I suspect they look at each case individually, and also take into account what you are going for and you qualifications.
If you speak fluent arabic i dont think you will fail the eyetest!
if u r going in as a grunt, then frankly they might not take as much care about you as they might with someone else.
id say you get more hassle from the people at AFCO and the papershufflers at Manning records than u do from the doc, and its all about not taking any responsibility.pathetic!
from what ive read on this thread a lot of people are talking on a subject they know little about and thus MISinforming others.I know plenty of people in the forces who have Lasik done, both with the PMOs permission, and on the QT. if you wait until you are in(after 6 months post basic)then get it done, you will still have a job if it goes titsup.
I had lasik done in feb02, applied in april 02, had to wait until july 03 to get to rsc, do a regimental selection, then given my atr phase 1 date.
Had to visit Army designated specialist 4 times an another specialist once.They are checking for your eyesight in different lighting conditions, and any complications.I was passed fit so the Army board HAVE to take their specialists own advice.Since i hadnt done these specialist tests b4 surgery they had nothing to compare it to, except the general poulation. Pointless really!
It also specifically states in the JSPs that LASIK and PRK are permitted, but that other surgery is not.And Aircrew are not permitted at all to have laser eye surgery. I suspect they look at each case individually, and also take into account what you are going for and you qualifications.
If you speak fluent arabic i dont think you will fail the eyetest!
if u r going in as a grunt, then frankly they might not take as much care about you as they might with someone else.
id say you get more hassle from the people at AFCO and the papershufflers at Manning records than u do from the doc, and its all about not taking any responsibility.pathetic!
from what ive read on this thread a lot of people are talking on a subject they know little about and thus MISinforming others.I know plenty of people in the forces who have Lasik done, both with the PMOs permission, and on the QT. if you wait until you are in(after 6 months post basic)then get it done, you will still have a job if it goes titsup.
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Northpolar
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- Location: Norway
Vincenzo: Finally someone who knows what they're talking about! Thanks a lot for the info. Just have a couple questions for u: how long were the intervals between each visit to the Army "specialist" and what conditons were u tested under. I live overseas at the moment and have a job so it might be feasible for me to try and get the tests done here first before wasting my time (and money) in England with the Army docs.
first of all HOW blind are you? you might be able to get in without it...if so thats what id recommend.then get it done after 6 months in after completing basic training.(they can still throw u out of chosen corps/regt up to 6 months in so u end up in sh1tty regt not of ur choice)
if you are too blind for the army they mite not let you in even after surgery as they believe 'too much' material is taken from eye with the laser will cause weakening of the eyeball, although i think this is bollox it wont help u if u r affected.
its always judged on a case by case basis.if you are over -6 dioptres, you can forget it from the conversations i had with the specialist.however not if u r already in service in which case you just need his pemission!!!
you will need to visit one of the armys specialists in the uk, its not a case of getting an opthamologist/eye surgeon signing u off.the army will pay for all tests, except travel to hospital.
this could take months.i advise u to get afco to sort this out first.mine were approx 3months apart. they waited until one year after operation b4 fully processing initial application at afco, even though there is NO REQUIREMENT for this in Jsps, c0cksucker clerks!
if u r outside uk at the moment you will need to reside in uk for a period of time b4 commencing training anyway, unless given special dispensation(are you Fijian? Do u play rugby?)
if you are too blind for the army they mite not let you in even after surgery as they believe 'too much' material is taken from eye with the laser will cause weakening of the eyeball, although i think this is bollox it wont help u if u r affected.
its always judged on a case by case basis.if you are over -6 dioptres, you can forget it from the conversations i had with the specialist.however not if u r already in service in which case you just need his pemission!!!
you will need to visit one of the armys specialists in the uk, its not a case of getting an opthamologist/eye surgeon signing u off.the army will pay for all tests, except travel to hospital.
this could take months.i advise u to get afco to sort this out first.mine were approx 3months apart. they waited until one year after operation b4 fully processing initial application at afco, even though there is NO REQUIREMENT for this in Jsps, c0cksucker clerks!
if u r outside uk at the moment you will need to reside in uk for a period of time b4 commencing training anyway, unless given special dispensation(are you Fijian? Do u play rugby?)
sorry, youve already had it done? then procedure as follows.
1.inform afco in advance so they can get doc to make specialist appointment.be prepared to wait one year from surgery b4 application is flly accepted, and then start going to see specialist!
2.u need previous prescriptions, and if possible the corneagrams taken pre and post sugery by lasik ppl. show these to the specialist.
3.the tests are simple.normal eyetests (snellen, in varying degrees of light.)
and checks flap for healing and creasing etc.puts drops in eye to dilate pupils etc., and also does a cornea thickness test with ultrasound that involves anaethitising eyeball and pressing felt tip marker type device on to your eyeball. if uve had lasik, this is easy.and also a test where very brigt lights are shone in your eyes for 2mins and you read a different eyechart which measures contrast of letters.ie heavy black on white going to light grey on white.
4.if passed he writes report, which doc at rsc looks at and then decision taken out of their hands, therefore dont even test eyes at rsc!
if u have any eye probs be honest. they mite not preclude you joining, but lying and getting caught will.and you will get caught. i had very dry eyes after surgery, told doc he said no probs. my vision is 6/4 though, if yours is distorted or a bad op has been done he will be able to see it and u will fail.
1.inform afco in advance so they can get doc to make specialist appointment.be prepared to wait one year from surgery b4 application is flly accepted, and then start going to see specialist!
2.u need previous prescriptions, and if possible the corneagrams taken pre and post sugery by lasik ppl. show these to the specialist.
3.the tests are simple.normal eyetests (snellen, in varying degrees of light.)
and checks flap for healing and creasing etc.puts drops in eye to dilate pupils etc., and also does a cornea thickness test with ultrasound that involves anaethitising eyeball and pressing felt tip marker type device on to your eyeball. if uve had lasik, this is easy.and also a test where very brigt lights are shone in your eyes for 2mins and you read a different eyechart which measures contrast of letters.ie heavy black on white going to light grey on white.
4.if passed he writes report, which doc at rsc looks at and then decision taken out of their hands, therefore dont even test eyes at rsc!
if u have any eye probs be honest. they mite not preclude you joining, but lying and getting caught will.and you will get caught. i had very dry eyes after surgery, told doc he said no probs. my vision is 6/4 though, if yours is distorted or a bad op has been done he will be able to see it and u will fail.
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Northpolar
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Cheers for the info mate: I was -6,5 dioptres before surgery so I'll have to expect rejection anyway. At the moment I'm waiting for an answer from an Army consulting specialist who is in possession of the documentation from my eye surgeon so I'll guess I have to wait and see. I'm thinking about joining the Norwegian army now and they have no problems with Lasik. Not even their special forces.
Thanks for the tips and I'll keep u posted on how it goes.
Thanks for the tips and I'll keep u posted on how it goes.
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Northpolar
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue 15 Jul, 2003 2:15 am
- Location: Norway
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Northpolar
- Member
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue 15 Jul, 2003 2:15 am
- Location: Norway
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Northpolar
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue 15 Jul, 2003 2:15 am
- Location: Norway
received a call from the ACIO last week. Apparently the army specialist was satisfied with my surgery and I've been cleared for the RSC. Looks like u were wrong about -6 cut off point. Mind you, the specialist did mention that it was a sort of limit to applicants who've had Lasik performed so I thought I was screwed. Pleasant surprise to receive that phone call. I guess they waive it if you're not far off the mark (a half diopter cant really make that much difference)
Guess its time to put down the pint and start getting in shape.
:multi:
Guess its time to put down the pint and start getting in shape.
:multi:
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Notmorerunning
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- Location: Dublin
On the Army careers site it says Lasik and PRK are acceptable, can anyone tell me if Lasek is also acceptable. I just got back from an assesment for laser surgery and they recommended Lasek, I told them the army only accepted Lasik and PRK and the told me that Lasek was virtually the same as PRK and is in fact an updated form of it and is usually used instead of PRK.
Lasik is a possability but they strongly recommended Lasek as it is much safer and suitable in my case and my eyesight isnt something I want to be taking any more risk with then necessary but without surgery I will not be able to enlist.
Lasik is a possability but they strongly recommended Lasek as it is much safer and suitable in my case and my eyesight isnt something I want to be taking any more risk with then necessary but without surgery I will not be able to enlist.
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Northpolar
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Not too sure about the LASEK one mate. Just need some info from u so I can try and give u an opinion:
1:How shortsighted are u?
2:How old are u?
3:Have u had any problems with your eyes apart from your vision?
4:Has your vision remained stable for the past couple years or has it decreased remarkably?
5:Is there any specific medical reason why u cant take LASIK surgery?
Get back at me with the answers and I'll see what I can find out.
1:How shortsighted are u?
2:How old are u?
3:Have u had any problems with your eyes apart from your vision?
4:Has your vision remained stable for the past couple years or has it decreased remarkably?
5:Is there any specific medical reason why u cant take LASIK surgery?
Get back at me with the answers and I'll see what I can find out.
lie?
When going in for the medical eyesight exam try and memorise the card sheet is also a good method, or so I've heard...if you have laser surgery unless there are signs a doc could pickup on lie about it (distinct military tradition that...) and don't go for any service that'll see your retina falling out or something....personally I wear glasses but never bothered to find out the actual gradiant or so on....hmm, must look into that....
When going in for the medical eyesight exam try and memorise the card sheet is also a good method, or so I've heard...if you have laser surgery unless there are signs a doc could pickup on lie about it (distinct military tradition that...) and don't go for any service that'll see your retina falling out or something....personally I wear glasses but never bothered to find out the actual gradiant or so on....hmm, must look into that....
Got my application form, now to work on the parents....
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Notmorerunning
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- Location: Dublin
Im very short sighted around -9/-10 diopters or whatever there called.
Other then being short sighted my eyes are perfectly healthy, good nightvision and not a hint of colourblindness.
I was 26 last October 25th so If they pulled that whole come back in a year thing I will be to old execpt for RAF gunners (3 miles in 24 minutes... urgh).
My vision has been pretty much stable for last few years, didnt have to get new glasses after last eye test.
I can get Lasik but the consultant was strongly advising I go for Lasek instead because of my corneal thickness it would be a lot safer in my case and would leave more cornea to work with in the unlikely case something goes horrably wrong.
Other then being short sighted my eyes are perfectly healthy, good nightvision and not a hint of colourblindness.
I was 26 last October 25th so If they pulled that whole come back in a year thing I will be to old execpt for RAF gunners (3 miles in 24 minutes... urgh).
My vision has been pretty much stable for last few years, didnt have to get new glasses after last eye test.
I can get Lasik but the consultant was strongly advising I go for Lasek instead because of my corneal thickness it would be a lot safer in my case and would leave more cornea to work with in the unlikely case something goes horrably wrong.
