The eyesight story sounds bizarre. Was he fit to drive a car without corrective vision?
The answer to a lot of people's bp issues is simply weight reduction. A pound or two a week is probably the most beneficial way. The harder part is then to keep it under control. Being a nurse you know all this anyway........
And having achieved licence issue, you need to impress the perspective employer that you, as an older chap, you are worth investing in. Those in the region of their mid 20's might be regarded by some as the ideal age for their first airline job.