Contact Lenses in the Parachute Regiment

[jawtec]

I am currently deciding if i should join the Para's, but i wear contact lenses and concerned how this will affect me. I was considering Laser Surgery and have been informed by MOD that 12 months must have passed before i can sign up.

Can anyone give me any advice on the use of contact lenses in the Para's and what activities could be off limits to me such as parachuting, i was considering using extended wear lenses which i can keep in for 30 days. Also has anyone served in Iraq or Afghanistan with contacts and how did the dust affect you..

Thanks for any help

[Woody91]

No advice that I can contribute; but just to say that Im in the EXACT same position as you.

Im in the process of joining the Parachute Reg and wear glasses too, but am pretty interested in other peoples experiences of wearing contact lenses in the Paras.

[just_me]

http://www.armyonline.mod.uk/ or you'd be able to send an e-mail to the Para recruiting staff: recruiting@parachute-regiment.com
Takes a couple days to get a reply but it's worth a try - and don't be shy, they're there to help!

[jawtec]

Im going in on Wed to complete the app so i will ask about the contacts then instead of emailing and waiting but thanks for the link mate..

Thanks for the reply Woody might see you at Depot.. They also said they may have a free spot to do the BARB test which leads me to another Question out of curiosity... What type of Questions did they ask you.

Thanks

[Woody91]

The BARB test is a piece of cake mate.
It's just things like number distance, odd word out for example:

"Hot, Cold and book.
Which is the odd one out?"
etc etc.

And other questions like, "Tom is shorter than Bob, who is taller?"

And after you have done your BARB, you do a Maths and English test, which AGAIN is very very basic.

Just do your best on it, but in all honesty, you have nothing to worry about because you don't need high scores to get into the Infantry, and in our case The Paras.

How old are you fella?

[jawtec]

Yeah should piss it.. its like any test thou you cabt help but worry lol

Im 25 ( getting on abit ) currently workin for myself as a mortgage broker but im going insane with boredom and always thought about joining the Para's and now i need a massive change in my life..

How about you why you joining, how old are you.... infact a better question what strength contacts do you wear

[Woody91]

Im 17 (the other end of the age spectrum ;] ).
And I'm currently in my last month of my Rugby Scholarship at Gloucester Academy =]

But like you, I've got to the point where I've become bored of doing rugby day in and day out!

And with regards to me eyes or contacts...I haven't a clue, but my eye sight really isn't too bad to be honest, it's just things like not being able to see a license plate at distance.

Whats you eye sight like without your glasses or contacts in?

[Alfa]

Plenty of lads wear contacts, not sure what kind of problems they have (if any) on Ops but you could always simply wear glasses instead.

I was told though by one of the cpls who was doing our medical that glasses are better as if you get cam cream under the lenses or something it can cause infections.

I wouldn't let it put you off joining mate, best bet is to just see what works for you. You will get a pair of army specs no matter what anyway so will always have an alternative to you contacts if you need to ditch them once at Depot.

[jabcrosshook]

I've read of some people using these, (link removed by Admin)

Don't know how the army would look upon you though if you turned up with them.