Have done a search but was looking for upto date info - eyes

[Dangermouse]

Basically, if I were to get Laser Eye Surgery would that bar me from entry into the Royals?

[Stacka83]

Yellow pages, local AFCO, Telephone......ask a question, Get a accurate answer.

[davidemmerson]

AFCO mate would be the best answer. They'll be able to give what acceptable and what's not. The standards may not even be on the internet. Is there an e-mail address on the RN website when you can send enquires?

I heard it changed recently too. But hopefully eyes won't be to much of an issue for me!

David

[GreenFlag]

Hiya mate, the following is taken from the - APPLICATION FORM INFORMATION & GUIDANCE NOTES - MEDICAL

Eye Disorders

Eye disease e.g. glaucoma, keratoconus, retinitis pigmentosa. Double vision.
Visual field defects. Corneal grafts or recurrent comeal ulcers. Cataract or cataract surgery. Detached retina. Vision only in one eye. Squint surgery in the previous 6 months. Laser eye surgery in the previous 12 months.

further more to this, the following letter may be recieved if you formally request further infomation from the RN or medical officer at an afco -

Here is the standard letter given:

"Thank you for your enquiry regarding eyesight corrective laser surgery (corneal refractive surgery) and the relevant Royal Navy Policy. The Naval Service does not endorse the use of laser surgery as a method to gain entry and there is no guarantee that such treatment will improve vision to an acceptable standard.

The Naval Service requires individuals to serve anywhere in the world, in extremes of climate and operational situations, which are remote from primary and secondary care. Therefore, even minor conditions such as the use of correcting lenses can take on much greater significance when even basic support is limited. As a consequence, medical screening is stringent and to a higher standard than might be expected for normal civilian employment.

In general, any defect or weakness of sight will be a bar to entry if these defects render an individual incapable of, or likely to be incapable of performing general duties in the Naval Service. The tri-Service standard for uncorrected visual acuity is right eye 6/60 and left eye> 6/60.

With regard to surgical correction of myopia or hypermetropia, it is acknowledged that the following methods are now considered suitable for entry on an individual case by case basis for non-specialist employment groups and subject to single Service requirements:

(a) Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

(b) Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)

(c) Laser in-situ Keratomileusis

(d) Intrastromal Corneal Rings (ICRs), otherwise known as Intrastromal
Segments (ICS).

Entry will not be considered for Radical Keratotomy (RK), or Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK), or any other form of incisional refractive surgery, other than those procedures listed above. All invasive intraocular surgical procedures will remain a bar to entry.

In order to be considered a candidate must fulfil the following criteria and provide documentary evidence to support that:

(a) The pre-operative refractive error was not more than +6.00 or 6.00 dioptre (estimated spherical equivalent) in either eye and;

(b) The best spectacle corrected visual acuity is 6/9 or better in each eye and;

(c) At least 12 months have elapsed since the date of the last surgery or enhancement procedure and;

(d) There have been no significant visual side effects secondary to the surgery affecting daily activities or night vision and;

(e) Refraction is stable; as defined by two refractions performed on each eye at least 6 months apart, with no more than 0.50 dioptre difference in the spherical equivalent in either eye.

(f) Specialist visual function testing has been carried out with satisfactory results at least 12 months following surgery, including assessment of refraction, symmetry of visual acuity, high and low contrast sensitivity (with and without glare sources) or contrast acuity analysis, astigmatism, glare, corneal clarity, masked mild hypermetropia and night vision.

An applicant who has undergone eyesight corrective laser surgery must supply evidence of the above and may be subject to evaluation by a Service Ophthalmic Consultant. Each case is considered on an individual basis and if all the criteria are met it may be possible to consider an application to enter the Naval Service.

Decisions regarding any kind of ophthalmic surgery should be discussed with an Ophthalmic Consultant. This letter should be taken to ophthalmic consultations where eyesight corrective laser surgery is to be discussed with a view to achieving the necessary eyesight standards for entry.
"

Hope that helps dangermouse.

[Dangermouse]

cheers for that GreenFlag, and the posters above.

I think laser eye surgey is out the question then, especially since I was going to visit my local AFCO next week and apply. Fortuently though, I don't think my eyesight is terrible and think that I still have a good chance.

The only reason I asked really is for a bit of confidence, because i've recently been diagnosed with long-term, but not serious, eye condition and am shitting one in case that blocks me entry. I'll leave that to the medical though.

Cheers lads.

[Ty]

Yes the 12 month wait is a pain in the ass after the eye surgery. It's been a number of months since mine. Gotta wait the 12 and then apply. It's 100% worth it though, even if the Marines won't let me in. I have better then 20 / 20 vision now, when before I couldn't read anything 5 feet away.

[Steve14]

Did you get lasek or lasik?

[Ty]

I got LASIK, but using a new laser called Zyoptix. It's the same procedure as LASIK, but the lazer is 60% more exact, and reduces the chances of night halo's, and improves nightvision. It also leaves an additional 30 - 40 % of the eye in tact. My eyesight was bad enough that I did not have a choice, I had to go for that procedure to achieve a definite 20/20 vision or better. A bit more expensive obviously, but well worth it !.

[Steve14]

Hiya mate, the following is taken from the - APPLICATION FORM INFORMATION & GUIDANCE NOTES - MEDICAL

.

Where did you get that? At the AFCO when you applied?

[Dangermouse]

Yes the 12 month wait is a pain in the ass after the eye surgery. It's been a number of months since mine. Gotta wait the 12 and then apply. It's 100% worth it though, even if the Marines won't let me in. I have better then 20 / 20 vision now, when before I couldn't read anything 5 feet away.

I've been tempted to get LES, but wouldn't risk if it theres a chance that it would block entry, or at least force me to wait 12 months. Fortuently I've been through the application process before, and had no trouble back then. I think my eyes arent getting worse and I only use glasses for driving really so I think I should get away with it. Saying that though, last time I was at the opticians I think they f@#k the test up, and I think i've been misdiagnosed with a condition, so I'm more worried about that then my actual sight.

[Ty]

I hear you mate. I have a feeling I'm not going to fly all the way over from Canada, just to have them say no.... because of eye surgery, but who knows ?. On a positive note, I know a guy that went for his testing who had the surgery. He told the optician who said there was nothing against Laser Eye surgery according to his notes and just passed him through. Might depend entirely on the optician you get.

[Dangermouse]

Might depend entirely on the optician you get.

Probably true. but not worth the risk. I've heard of people wearing contacts in medicals and getting away with it. But whats the point of passing a medical when with all probability your condition will come to the attention of people down at Lympstone?

But, personally I don't think its a risk worth taking. I'd much rather by a Royal Marine than have perfect eyesight, rather than having perfect eyesight but not becomming a Royal Marines as a result. Just means I'm never going to pilot an F22 I suppose!