Share This Page:

  

Laser eye surgery

General discussions on joining & training in the British Army.
Northpolar
Member
Member
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue 15 Jul, 2003 2:15 am
Location: Norway

Post by Northpolar »

Ok mate here's the deal: the army does accept shortsightedness but the limit is approx -6. U should run down to your local army careers office and make an application just in case. Cant hurt to try.

Not all corps have 27 as the max limit. The AGC and Int corps have 29 as their max age, but I've heard cases of the 27 year limit being stretched. One of my mates did basic with a squad that contained a 30 year old! If u do decide to go through with the operation make sure that u check with the Army about the LASEK thing first!

The Army does have a 12 month waiting policy and my surgeon agrees with it citing the need for the cornea to heal properly. If u make an application right after surgery it will be denied (do it anyway). As soon as u get the denial letter in the mail write to the Medical Officer who sent u the letter and explain that u are still interested in joining (u could also explain the age thing) and that you are willing to cooperate and that you would greatly appreciate any help he could give u in the matter. Don't expect a speedy reply (couple weeks approx). They will eventually arrange for u to see their specialist but I dont know how many months post op you'll have to go before they send u.

On a final note the specialist that I went to see said that the limit was -6 pre op so to be honest I wouldn't have the forces as the only option mate. If u are going for the more technical trades (and have quals they can use) it should help u a bit but when it comes down to it every soldier no matter what trade might have to engage in physical combat one day.

But first things first mate: go down the ACIO on monday and get your application pack and apply before u get surgery. Let me know how u get on, always willing to help anybody in things I've experienced myself. Good luck to ya mate! :)
Notmorerunning
Member
Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat 28 Feb, 2004 2:09 am
Location: Dublin

Post by Notmorerunning »

Thanks, that sounds like a good plan, been keeping the RAF Gunners in mind since they have 29 as max age presuming I ever get past the eye thing. If not I'll just have to console myself that the FCA (Irish Reserves) have the better looking cammo pattern and the Styer AUG is just so much prettier then the SA80, even if I do only get 3 bullets a year :) .
Krupp
Member
Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri 27 Feb, 2004 7:29 pm
Location: Dunno, the map is in Russian

Post by Krupp »

Notmorerunning wrote:Thanks, that sounds like a good plan, been keeping the RAF Gunners in mind since they have 29 as max age presuming I ever get past the eye thing. If not I'll just have to console myself that the FCA (Irish Reserves) have the better looking cammo pattern and the Styer AUG is just so much prettier then the SA80, even if I do only get 3 bullets a year :) .
Ahhh, the FCA :drinking: :drinking: :drinking: :drinking: :drinking: :drinking: :drinking: :drinking: :drinking:
Got my application form, now to work on the parents....
Khendon
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat 20 Mar, 2004 1:48 am
Location: Southampton

Post by Khendon »

this thread has been loads of help,i have been interested in joining the army for ages but i was given the impression by my local AFCO that i wouldnt be able to join with glasses/contacts. (im -5 right eye, -4 left eye shortsighted) After reading this forum a bit i feel much more positive and will apply anyways, and then maybe gofor laser surgery in a year or two if i get in :), Now to lose weight and get fit, :-?
Post Reply