Eyesight & Laser Surgery

[HardRock]

My eyes began to stabilise at about 18. From the age of 6 they constantly deteriorated. I personally think glasses are somewhat to blame themselved, since it allows your eyes to be 'lazy', but hey.

Hope you found the above useful, and took some weight of your chest.

Aye,
Rock

[GGHT]

Yes thanks mate and good luck with your application.
You can just imagine getting fit for PRMC for months then hitting that stumbling block at the medical.

I agree on the glasses issue as well, the old man reckons his eyesight has nosedived since he started wearing them for reading. Eyes become dependant I guess.

[douguk]

Hey guys,
I've been reading your discussion with interest as it may well effect my application coming up when I finish Uni. However, I was wondering since most eyesight treatments are done privately and therefore not on your medical records, why dont you just get the op done and turn up to the medical with acceptable eyesight? I wouldn't have thought it would be detectable.

Doug

[HardRock]

as far as I am aware (and I may be wrong) LES does go on your med records, added to which I think the RM's can (and prob will) bin you if it comes to light that you have lied on your application.

As stated above, LES is not an outright bar to your entry. Like I am doing, first find out if you are able to join with current eyesight, and if LES would be neccesary, then find out if you are allowed it.

I certainly would NOT recommend getting it done with all your hopes riding on a possible cover.

I want nothing to stop me getting in the RM's, as I am sure you do not either, so do not put yourself in the position where you can screw it up for yourself.

I will keep you all posted as to my findings.

Aye,
Rock

[douguk]

Although having LES does not prevent you from joining the Marines I do believe it limits what is available to you when you get in- I know that the joining the SBS and becoming a sniper are not available to you after LES. I'm not suggesting that I'm planning to be either of those, getting in is my aim, but it is worth considering.

Also another worry is that with the guidelines being complicated & hard to come by after having surgery and declaring it, the RM may turn round and say "sorry we dont accept that LES anymore" or "Sorry Mr X gave you the wrong information". It may seem far fetched but if that happens you're caught between a rock and a hard place.

I know for certain that when you go private you do have the option of having the treatment put on your medical records.
What I dont know is whether a doctor/optician could see the scar.

I would never preach to anyone as to what they should do... I just think its good to raise the discussion and see what peoples advice is/what they think is best.

Doug

[HardRock]

Doug,

Thanks for the reply, but this is the point of tis topic, many lads on here have been given wrong information by their AFCO's. I therefore asked if the actual Med Board can give me the final verdict, I have been sent a form (that I am getting my optician to sign today) I will send this to the Med Board who I then expect to give me the score in black and white.

Its just a shame that there are so many lads that have poor eyesight, and could possibly make good Marines.

Aye,
Rock

[chris78290]

Interesting point raised by Doug there about limits on specialisations open to those who've had LES, I remember Doc mentioning that he'd seen people turned down at the last hurdle for SF for this I think. Its a bummer for sure but my guess would be that judging by the amount the military have changed their minds about LES in the last 2 or 3 years that over the next few it may well become a non-issue, heres hoping anyway.

[HardRock]

Just an update here guys.

I have just got back from the opticians who filled out the form for me. I made an error in a previous post you must be able to see the top letter on the letter board UNAIDED. I was unable to do this. So my eyesight is outside of the requirements for the Royal Marines.

The optician said that my only other option is LES.

I have contacted the Navy Medical Board for clarification on precisely what forms are allowed. I will post these as soon as I know.

I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown. My dream may well end up down the crapper here

Apologies to any other Gents who have read this and realised they may be unable to sign up as well.

Aye,
Rock

[james_m]

Thanks for the info mate!

Is this the same for both recruits and officers?

I am only -2.00 in both eyes but cant remember whether or not I can see the top line in the opticians .

You tried any of those eye exercises or natural vision kits! I know this has been covered in other topics but you may be a little more inspired now because of this development!!

Cheers
James_m

[HardRock]

Hey there James_M,

Its been a while since I last heard from you! Hows it going?
I spoke to the optician about these eye exercises, and he said that he has heard minor improvements with these programmes, but the difference I would need to be able to see the top letter would not be achieveable by such a programme.

The requirements are for both Officer and Rating.
I'll be on the phone to the Chief MO tomorrow, I will keep you informed.

I am so gutted if I am not allowed to join with LES then god knows what I am going to do!

With a prescription of -2 I would expect you will do just fine mate.

All the best,
Rock

[HardRock]

Afternoon All,

Well, I have been on the phone this morn to the CMO for the Royal Navy. In regards to Laser Surgery.

He stated that LASIK is the preferable surgery to have, and PRK would be a bar, while LASEK is still a bit of a grey area.

He also said that in order to be accepted, then:

Take the SUM of your SPHERE and CYLINDER/2 (these are on your prescription. If the sum of these is greater than or equal to 6 in ANY MERIDIAN, then you will still not be accepted having had surgery even if eyesight is perfect.

For example:
My SPH = -6.00 (Right)
My CYL = -2.5 (Right)

This means that my pre-surgery refraction = -7.25.
Hence I am not eligable for the Royals at all.

I feel like I have had my guts ripped out and thrown all over the place. This is my lifes dream down the crapper.

I wish those that have poor eyesight the best of luck in getting in, and to all the other gents who are going for the Green Lid.

I will be submitting my med docs to the Army to see if they have any jobs they can offer me, but it does not look hopeful.

I guess this is me bowing out from these forums. I would like to say thanks to all the advice and support everyone has given here, it has been much appreciated.

Mods Did you want me to create a new clean thread with this info in so it can be stickified, since I know many people ask about it?

Another Walt bites the dust.

Aye,
Rock

[markthestab]

sorry to hear that mate, does this mean you cant even go for the medical

check your pm's

[james_m]

I am gutted for you Rock! Hopefully the Army standards will be lower!

My SPH is -2.00 in both eyes! On my prescription the CYL box has been left blank?? . Dont know whether that means it does not apply, or that it was not relevant to my contact lenses prescription so they did not write it down?

I am going to try and get one of those forms you were sent and get my optician to fill it in for me! At least then I will know once and for all!!

All the best
Cheers
James_m

[HardRock]

hi Guys,

Thanks for the support there, much appreciated. I just been thinking if there are any services that I would be interested in/can apply for in civvie street as a contigiency.

James_M, as for the form, I have taken blank copies and will be happy to send them to you if you wish to PM me your address? i figured others may want them.

Aye,
Rock

[james_m]

Thanks mate, PM inbound!!

Are you considering surgery then?

If LASIK is acceptable then this could be your life line!

Cheers
James_m