Laser Eye Surgery and Pilot application

[Tiger_ Moth]

Does anyone know if the RAF accept pilot applicants if they have had laser eye surgery (and have perfect sight?)

I think I heard somewhere that they don't because there can be bad consequences with flashes or reduced night vision or something but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks

[Ali Barber]

I understand that the RAF don't yet take anyone who has had the surgery, although I know several people (non-aircrew) who have had it done out here with fantastic results. The process is stil quite new and the long-term effects and/or the physiological effects of pulling G are not sufficiently well known or understood. That may change in the future, but don't expect the RAF to leap into accepting this treatment just yet.:cool:

[canberra]

i left the raf last year nad had laser eye surgery a couple of months ago. i wrote a letter to raf news a few weeks ago asking why the all 3 british services are so against this procedure. the reply was that as it was such a new procedure it was too early to tell what the long term problems could be. the operation has been around since the late 40's. the boxer frank bruno had it done in the early 80's with scalpels as the boxing authorities wont let you have a licence if your short sighted. and his eyes have taken blows from tyson!

[CBA_caption]

Could be wrong, but I'm sure I read a while back that USAF had been researching for some time and had now allowed laser-corrected Aircrew. Might put an end to the following senario:

MRT's

"Watch your attitude, Bloggs"

"Can't sir, my glasses have slid off the end of my nose!"

[Dan Winterland]

A year ago, the policy was that anyone with Lasik or any other such surgery would be grounded forever. The reason given is that the procedure takes off a layer of the cornea and weakens the eyeball. A rapid decompression could lead to a rupture.

[ORAC]

US Forces:

PRK (i.e. no flap cut into the eye)

The US Air Force is now authorizing a test program to allow a certain number of pilots to undergo PRK and be monitored as part of a study group. Also included in the study group are a group of new accessions to Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, i.e., pilot training applicants. The details of the USAF program, as well as the US Navy and Army programs are now available. If the study groups do not reveal any significant complications from the surgery in aviators, expansion of the programs are possible. People undergoing RK and LASIK are not included in the study. The Navy is also studying vision refraction surgery in pilots. PRK waivers for aviation are limited and require the service member to participate in ongoing clinical studies designed to evaluate PRK’s safety and efficacy. See US Army Medical Waivers for Refractive Surgery (http://www.army-aviation-med.org/Memos/Refrac%20Surg.pdf) and US Navy Refractive Eye Surgery Policy (http://navymedicine.med.navy.mil/PRK/refractive_surgery_information.htm) . On August 2, 2000, the USAF announced its' new policy allowing waivers for pilots, aircrew members and pilot training applicants who elect to PRK and have a good outcome. See USAF Aviation Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Waiver & Surveillance Program (https://www.afms.mil/aeromed/USAF_PRK.cfm) .

LASIK (Flap cut):

Currently, none of the US military services grant waivers for aviators with LASIK. The US Army is conducting a study of LASIK in aviator training candidates (http://www.rucker.amedd.army.mil/dept/aama/).


Aviationmedicine.com (http://www.aviationmedicine.com/lasik.htm)

[uffington sb]

I'm not sure about the G forces, but EWS wont consider anyone for driver training if they have had laser treatment. A class66 pulling a 3000 tonne stone train isnt the same as a F3 in a dog fight!!

[Wholigan]

Nope uffington sb, you are totally right! A class 66 pulling a 3000 tonne stone train would vastly out-accelerate, out-turn and out-class an F3 in a dog-fight!!! :D ;)

[BEagle]

You beat me to it, Wholi'!!

[Wholigan]

Sorry BEags - but it did ask for such a comment eh??:D ;)

[jayteeto]

Talking to a US Flight Surgeon recently who said that LASIK surgery is not acceptable to flying as it is too easy for the lens to move and causes irrepairable damage. The other one (PRK??) is much safer and much more expensive. :confused:

[uffington sb]

I spoke to a nice lady at EWS this morning and she checked with her companies medicos (BUPA), and the reason they will not take anyone who has had laser eye surgery is because it's new and they can't gaurantee the 'sustianability' of the operation, also there was some question regarding night vision.

[STANDTO]

This is one of the most debated and misunderstood areas of medicine. My line of work similarly cannot get their head round what is fact and fiction. At present, I am not allowed to recruit police officers who have had laser eye surgery, due to a home office directive. The fastest thing most of those would get their hands on is an intercontinental ballistic ford focus. As I understand it, the reason for the refusal is that in the early days of refractive keratomy, there was, as a consequence, a degree of glare at night. The surgery has arguably improved beyond all measure in recent years, and some police forces have acceded to medical opinion.

I cannot comment on the structural changes that may take place to the cornea, and the fact that it may explode as you pull a 7g immelmann, but ultimately, the only person that is going to know what the bottom line is, will be the man or woman at the top of the eye surgery trade.

I would suggest that if you are committed to the idea of beaing a mil pilot:

A - find this person

B - get something on paper saying that your face isnt going to explode

C - Put it in with your application

D - If you aren't given the opportunity to prove your suitability:

D/1 Find a lawyer specialising in people with poor eyesight who have been discriminated against

D/2 Sue em


best of luck

PS wasn't there a thread on this a while back?

BLIMEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there is an advert for laser eye treatment in the bottom left of the screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fly - there is obviously some reason for them advertising here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucifer]

Know of a top plastic surgeon specialising in laser corrections for sight correction who will not let his own daughter have the procedure because despite doing it every day does not reckon it is the best thing for her eyes. If this is not a cause for concern, I don't know what is!