Laser eye surgery now accepted for aircrew
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Laser eye surgery now accepted for aircrew
For years, I have been trawling the internet with my bespectecled eyes, desperately hoping to find some sort of proof that one day the military would accept laser eye surgery within its aircrew.
To cut a long story short, I ended up joining the army as an officer through the engineering Welbeck/DTUS scheme which recently has changed to allow us to join non-technical corps such as the infantry and AAC.
I enquired about the AAC and its policies regarding laser eye surgery and I got this reply from the Lt. Col. responsible for medical issues within the corps:
Dear Emmanuel,
Thanks you for your e-mail enquiry, it has been passed to me by Capt -----------. I hope that the following information will be some use.
The Army policy, in fact it is a Tri-Service policy, regarding laser eye surgery has indeed changed. In broad terms it now allows applicants to have had corneal refractive surgery, rather than just allowing qualified aircrew to do so. The new policy also allows a wider range of procedure and will accept the procedure performed at a greater number of centres. However, there are a number of strict criteria for acceptance and a few key points that I am obliged to point out.
Whilst the Services will accept the procedure in someone that was within the pre-operative limits and, post-surgery, is within the normal selection limits, there can be no guarantee that the surgery will make you fit to be selected. Firstly, you might fail aircrew selection for other medical or non-medical reasons, e.g. another medical condition or failure at the aptitude tests. Secondly, acceptance requires you to be within the pre-op limits, so successful surgery and an outcome within selection limits would not override this requirement. Thirdly, whilst fairly safe as operations go, no surgical procedure is without risk; you could end up outside selection limits, still requiring visual correction (whether inside selection limits or not) or, even worse, with vision that is not improved or is worse than you currently have. Fourthly, the surgery corrects refraction, it will do nothing for other visual parameters such as stereopsis (one of the types of depth perception), eye muscle balance or colour vision; consequently, you might still fail the eye tests.
Moreover, the MOD does not pay for the procedure so you would have to fund it yourself and accept any other losses, e.g. time off work.
As a result, we strongly recommend that you DO NOT HAVE CORNEAL REFRACTIVE SURGERY FOR AIRCREW SELECTION ALONE, ONLY HAVE IT IF YOU WOULD HAVE DONE SO ANYWAY!
The policy is summarised below with my emphasis on the key facts in bold:
(a) CRS by PRK, LASEK and LASIK only.
(b) A minimum of one year to have elapsed since surgery
(c) Minimum age at application of 22.
(d) Subject’s refraction (i.e. vision test) to have been stable for at least 6 months.
(e) Recorded pre-operative visual defect must not exceed –5.00 to +2.00 dioptres
(f) Post operative visual acuity within current aircrew visual recruitment limits
The Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre will continue to screen RAF candidates via corneal topography to identify those who have had undeclared CRS.
i. A full ophthalmic examination.
ii. Measurement of refractive error.
iii. Measurement of the best spectacle corrected Snellen visual acuity, with and without the ‘Brightness Acuity Tester’ glare source.
iv. Contrast sensitivity testing in photopic and mesopic conditions using the Pelli-Robson chart.
v. Contrast acuity assessment to assess functional visual performance under both photopic and mesopic levels of ambient illumination.
vi. Pupillometry in mesopic and scotopic conditions.
The aircrew selection standard that must be achieved post-surgery is:
(Sorry about this table - I can't embed it properly)
I know many of you will be skeptical of the validity of this e-mail but I can assure you, it is true. Due to already technically being in the Army, I had direct access to the Lt. Col. The time it takes for this information to get to the AFCO's is an entirely different issue!
I hope this brings new hope to the many potential military pilots who have been disheartend by stringent eyesight requirements
Cheers,
Emmanuel
To cut a long story short, I ended up joining the army as an officer through the engineering Welbeck/DTUS scheme which recently has changed to allow us to join non-technical corps such as the infantry and AAC.
I enquired about the AAC and its policies regarding laser eye surgery and I got this reply from the Lt. Col. responsible for medical issues within the corps:
Dear Emmanuel,
Thanks you for your e-mail enquiry, it has been passed to me by Capt -----------. I hope that the following information will be some use.
The Army policy, in fact it is a Tri-Service policy, regarding laser eye surgery has indeed changed. In broad terms it now allows applicants to have had corneal refractive surgery, rather than just allowing qualified aircrew to do so. The new policy also allows a wider range of procedure and will accept the procedure performed at a greater number of centres. However, there are a number of strict criteria for acceptance and a few key points that I am obliged to point out.
Whilst the Services will accept the procedure in someone that was within the pre-operative limits and, post-surgery, is within the normal selection limits, there can be no guarantee that the surgery will make you fit to be selected. Firstly, you might fail aircrew selection for other medical or non-medical reasons, e.g. another medical condition or failure at the aptitude tests. Secondly, acceptance requires you to be within the pre-op limits, so successful surgery and an outcome within selection limits would not override this requirement. Thirdly, whilst fairly safe as operations go, no surgical procedure is without risk; you could end up outside selection limits, still requiring visual correction (whether inside selection limits or not) or, even worse, with vision that is not improved or is worse than you currently have. Fourthly, the surgery corrects refraction, it will do nothing for other visual parameters such as stereopsis (one of the types of depth perception), eye muscle balance or colour vision; consequently, you might still fail the eye tests.
Moreover, the MOD does not pay for the procedure so you would have to fund it yourself and accept any other losses, e.g. time off work.
As a result, we strongly recommend that you DO NOT HAVE CORNEAL REFRACTIVE SURGERY FOR AIRCREW SELECTION ALONE, ONLY HAVE IT IF YOU WOULD HAVE DONE SO ANYWAY!
The policy is summarised below with my emphasis on the key facts in bold:
Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS) may be performed by a number of methods: Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) or Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). However, aircrew are normally recruited at an age before ocular maturity when CRS may not provide long-term refractive stability. CRS is not recommended below age 21 for this reason.
Aircrew recruits may be accepted subject to the following criteria:
Aircrew recruits may be accepted subject to the following criteria:
(a) CRS by PRK, LASEK and LASIK only.
(b) A minimum of one year to have elapsed since surgery
(c) Minimum age at application of 22.
(d) Subject’s refraction (i.e. vision test) to have been stable for at least 6 months.
(e) Recorded pre-operative visual defect must not exceed –5.00 to +2.00 dioptres
(f) Post operative visual acuity within current aircrew visual recruitment limits
The Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre will continue to screen RAF candidates via corneal topography to identify those who have had undeclared CRS.
If the preceding criteria are met, subjects are to be referred to CA Ophth (RAF) for as detailed below:
ii. Measurement of refractive error.
iii. Measurement of the best spectacle corrected Snellen visual acuity, with and without the ‘Brightness Acuity Tester’ glare source.
iv. Contrast sensitivity testing in photopic and mesopic conditions using the Pelli-Robson chart.
v. Contrast acuity assessment to assess functional visual performance under both photopic and mesopic levels of ambient illumination.
vi. Pupillometry in mesopic and scotopic conditions.
The aircrew selection standard that must be achieved post-surgery is:
Visual Acuity (minimum)
Ref. Range
Muscle Balance
Converg.
Accommodation
CP
Stereopsis
Uncorr.
Corr
Near
Spherical Component
Cyl
(Maddox Rod)
(with correction)
(TNO Test)
6/12
6/6
N5
-0.75 to +1.75 dioptres
+0.75 dioptres
Dist: Eso 6D to Exo 8D, ≤1DVertical
Near: Eso 6D to Exo 16D, ≤1DVertical
≤10 cm
Age 17 – 20: ≤ 11 cm
Age 21 – 25: 11 – 13 cm
2
≤120 secs
of arc
N5
-0.75 to +1.75 dioptres
+0.75 dioptres
Dist: Eso 6D to Exo 8D, ≤1DVertical
Near: Eso 6D to Exo 16D, ≤1DVertical
≤10 cm
Age 17 – 20: ≤ 11 cm
Age 21 – 25: 11 – 13 cm
2
≤120 secs
of arc
(Sorry about this table - I can't embed it properly)
I know many of you will be skeptical of the validity of this e-mail but I can assure you, it is true. Due to already technically being in the Army, I had direct access to the Lt. Col. The time it takes for this information to get to the AFCO's is an entirely different issue!
I hope this brings new hope to the many potential military pilots who have been disheartend by stringent eyesight requirements
Cheers,
Emmanuel
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Go for it!
I got booted out of the running for pilot training by the RAAF in 1986 once they knew I had surgery to correct shortsightedness. I had passed all the other tests including selection board, exams and the actual eyesight tests. Two appeals failed..
The irony is 25 years later my distance vision is still 20/20.
Good luck with it all.
Octane
I got booted out of the running for pilot training by the RAAF in 1986 once they knew I had surgery to correct shortsightedness. I had passed all the other tests including selection board, exams and the actual eyesight tests. Two appeals failed..
The irony is 25 years later my distance vision is still 20/20.
Good luck with it all.
Octane
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This is interesting, do you know how recently this was changed?
I passed the AIB at the beginning of April but got kicked off the list after my medical at CAAMB. I hadn't told them that I'd had LASIK surgery and they weren't too pleased when they found out. I asked the doc if he thought the rules would ever change; he said that he doubted very much that LASIK would ever be accepted for aircrew. That said, I got the impression he was more concerned about the stability of my surgery than the fact that I'd had it.
It might not have been in time to help me, but I hope this change helps others in my position.
I passed the AIB at the beginning of April but got kicked off the list after my medical at CAAMB. I hadn't told them that I'd had LASIK surgery and they weren't too pleased when they found out. I asked the doc if he thought the rules would ever change; he said that he doubted very much that LASIK would ever be accepted for aircrew. That said, I got the impression he was more concerned about the stability of my surgery than the fact that I'd had it.
It might not have been in time to help me, but I hope this change helps others in my position.
For what it's worth: USN has been doing PRK waivers/acceptances since late 90's.
Do you know what interesting side effect this has had?
It's been much harder to recruit navigators/backseaters of the same high quality as previously. Any number of folks with marginal vision used to get into aviation as RIOs or BNs. Now, a considerable portion of that motivated class of young people get the PRK and are recruited as pilots.
This led, a few years back, to an interesting "quality spread" in the navigator candidates.
Do you know what interesting side effect this has had?
It's been much harder to recruit navigators/backseaters of the same high quality as previously. Any number of folks with marginal vision used to get into aviation as RIOs or BNs. Now, a considerable portion of that motivated class of young people get the PRK and are recruited as pilots.
This led, a few years back, to an interesting "quality spread" in the navigator candidates.
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Stumbled across this;
"I have had laser eye surgery. How will this affect my application?
Until quite recently Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS) was not permitted in either existing aircrew or recruits, however increasing evidence has emerged, much of it from the USA, of the safety of CRS in the military flying environment. There are still hazards and problems associated with CRS which must be considered before embarking on surgery.
CRS may be performed by a number of methods. Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) involves the reshaping of the anterior corneal surface by photoablation using an ultraviolet excimer laser. The corneal epithelium is removed prior to treatment and grows back over the treated zone within 4-6 days. Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) is a modification of PRK where a thin flap of corneal epithelium is created. The underlying corneal stroma is ablated in the same way as PRK but the flap of epithelium is replaced and acts as a bandage lens. The visual outcome is very similar to PRK but pain and haze are reduced. Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) involves the cutting of an actual flap of corneal stromal tissue and ablating the underlying stromal bed, before replacing the flap. Disruption of the epithelial layer is kept to a minimum and this avoids the aggressive healing response that leads to the formation of haze. Pain is also minimised and visual recovery occurs within 1-2 days. For those with low levels of myopia, outcomes in terms of visual performance for all of these techniques are very similar.
It is impossible to guarantee the result of surgery as healing and scar formation vary however the final uncorrected visual acuity after PRK and LASEK is comparable 12 months after treatment; LASEK is associated with less pain and visual recovery is more rapid although LASEK does produce more intra-operative pain. The most common complications following surgery include dry eyes, haze and reduced best corrected visual acuity; more serious complications include infection, inflammation and problems with the corneal flap. Postoperative best uncorrected visual acuity has been reported at 6/12 or better (the minimum standard for pilot selection is 6/12 or better uncorrected in each eye) in 46-100% of eyes depending on the degree of initial short sightedness. It should be noted that postoperative 6/6 vision may be subjectively different from preoperative best corrected 6/6 vision due to a reduction in contrast sensitivity.
Aircrew are normally recruited at an age before ocular maturity when CRS may not provide long-term refractive stability. CRS is not recommended below the age of 21 for this reason; however aircrew recruits may be accepted subject to the following criteria:
(a) CRS by PRK, LASEK and LASIK only.
(b) A minimum of one year to have elapsed since surgery
(c) Minimum age at application of 22.
(d) Subject’s refraction to have been stable for at least 6 months.
(e) Recorded pre-operative refractive error must not exceed –5.00 to +2.00 dioptres in any meridian
(f) Post operative visual acuity within current aircrew visual recruitment limits
If the preceding criteria are met candidates are to be referred to the Consultant Adviser in Ophthalmology (RAF) for assessment by the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre. OASC will continue to screen RAF candidates via corneal topography to identify those who have had undeclared CRS."
RAF College Cranwell - FAQs
Seems like Laser eye surgery is possibly accepted now?
"I have had laser eye surgery. How will this affect my application?
Until quite recently Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS) was not permitted in either existing aircrew or recruits, however increasing evidence has emerged, much of it from the USA, of the safety of CRS in the military flying environment. There are still hazards and problems associated with CRS which must be considered before embarking on surgery.
CRS may be performed by a number of methods. Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) involves the reshaping of the anterior corneal surface by photoablation using an ultraviolet excimer laser. The corneal epithelium is removed prior to treatment and grows back over the treated zone within 4-6 days. Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) is a modification of PRK where a thin flap of corneal epithelium is created. The underlying corneal stroma is ablated in the same way as PRK but the flap of epithelium is replaced and acts as a bandage lens. The visual outcome is very similar to PRK but pain and haze are reduced. Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) involves the cutting of an actual flap of corneal stromal tissue and ablating the underlying stromal bed, before replacing the flap. Disruption of the epithelial layer is kept to a minimum and this avoids the aggressive healing response that leads to the formation of haze. Pain is also minimised and visual recovery occurs within 1-2 days. For those with low levels of myopia, outcomes in terms of visual performance for all of these techniques are very similar.
It is impossible to guarantee the result of surgery as healing and scar formation vary however the final uncorrected visual acuity after PRK and LASEK is comparable 12 months after treatment; LASEK is associated with less pain and visual recovery is more rapid although LASEK does produce more intra-operative pain. The most common complications following surgery include dry eyes, haze and reduced best corrected visual acuity; more serious complications include infection, inflammation and problems with the corneal flap. Postoperative best uncorrected visual acuity has been reported at 6/12 or better (the minimum standard for pilot selection is 6/12 or better uncorrected in each eye) in 46-100% of eyes depending on the degree of initial short sightedness. It should be noted that postoperative 6/6 vision may be subjectively different from preoperative best corrected 6/6 vision due to a reduction in contrast sensitivity.
Aircrew are normally recruited at an age before ocular maturity when CRS may not provide long-term refractive stability. CRS is not recommended below the age of 21 for this reason; however aircrew recruits may be accepted subject to the following criteria:
(a) CRS by PRK, LASEK and LASIK only.
(b) A minimum of one year to have elapsed since surgery
(c) Minimum age at application of 22.
(d) Subject’s refraction to have been stable for at least 6 months.
(e) Recorded pre-operative refractive error must not exceed –5.00 to +2.00 dioptres in any meridian
(f) Post operative visual acuity within current aircrew visual recruitment limits
If the preceding criteria are met candidates are to be referred to the Consultant Adviser in Ophthalmology (RAF) for assessment by the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre. OASC will continue to screen RAF candidates via corneal topography to identify those who have had undeclared CRS."
RAF College Cranwell - FAQs
Seems like Laser eye surgery is possibly accepted now?
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Octane - Bugger 
The old days were a lot harder on applicants from what I have heard. When I joined in '99 my eyesight was VERY borderline but I squeaked through. In '06 (and after a LOT of consultation with the medic and officer board) I had Lasik to bring them up to scratch and I have never looked back. There was no latency or observational period at all. I just took 3 days off and when I returned I had to re sit my visual acuity, which I passed, and it was all good.
Not that it was a huge surprise really as there are several guys that ended up getting specs after joining that are still flying.
I don't think Lasik/Refractive surgery plays as big a part as it used to. There have been many studies done in the US, UK and Aus regarding physiological outcomes under simulated pressurization, night, IR, etc situations and they consensus seems to be that it's not the end of the world Besides, with the pilot retention schemes in place within the military today and the amount of money spent on training you (and the fact that they are trying to stop you selling your skills paid for by them to an airline) the balance is tipped in the favour of the aircrew.
I say go for it. If you display a high aptitude, something like Lasik shouldn't stop them from grabbing you with both hands.
Good luck mate.
The old days were a lot harder on applicants from what I have heard. When I joined in '99 my eyesight was VERY borderline but I squeaked through. In '06 (and after a LOT of consultation with the medic and officer board) I had Lasik to bring them up to scratch and I have never looked back. There was no latency or observational period at all. I just took 3 days off and when I returned I had to re sit my visual acuity, which I passed, and it was all good.Not that it was a huge surprise really as there are several guys that ended up getting specs after joining that are still flying.
I don't think Lasik/Refractive surgery plays as big a part as it used to. There have been many studies done in the US, UK and Aus regarding physiological outcomes under simulated pressurization, night, IR, etc situations and they consensus seems to be that it's not the end of the world
Besides, with the pilot retention schemes in place within the military today and the amount of money spent on training you (and the fact that they are trying to stop you selling your skills paid for by them to an airline) the balance is tipped in the favour of the aircrew.I say go for it. If you display a high aptitude, something like Lasik shouldn't stop them from grabbing you with both hands.
Good luck mate.
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Ha! I wish.
In all honesty it wasn't that bad really. The whole procedure set me back $5200 and it took all of 20 minutes...I tell you what, I am in the wrong business. On the day I attended the surgery there were at least another 25 people waiting for the same.
Maybe I should head to Uni and do ophthalmology!
The only way to really find out is to get the initial consultation done as there are many factors involved. For example, I was mild myopic (short sighted) which is easy to correct, but... I only just had a thick enough cornea to have the procedure done.
So you may have the most slight dioptre differential but if your cornea isn't thick enough to cut and laser away you can't have it done.
Go for it. The worst they can say is no
In all honesty it wasn't that bad really. The whole procedure set me back $5200 and it took all of 20 minutes...I tell you what, I am in the wrong business. On the day I attended the surgery there were at least another 25 people waiting for the same.
Maybe I should head to Uni and do ophthalmology!
The only way to really find out is to get the initial consultation done as there are many factors involved. For example, I was mild myopic (short sighted) which is easy to correct, but... I only just had a thick enough cornea to have the procedure done.
So you may have the most slight dioptre differential but if your cornea isn't thick enough to cut and laser away you can't have it done.
Go for it. The worst they can say is no
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Dear all,
I have asked at the AFCO and the RAF Careers line to confirm this information, but both have refused to comment either way. Is there anyway I can bypass these sources of information to someone OASC? The email below also states that it must be done at certain 'centres' - important to know where these are before going ahead.
There is very little careers advice available at the moment - I have one more year at university and would really like to know whether I'm eligible (or can get myself eligible with surgery) before sacrificing other opportunities in pursuit of this career. Does anyone else feel like they are in the same boat?
Perhaps its irrelevant anyway - getting the surgery will improve quality of life and if they are likely to reject because of below standard eyesight anyway, there isn't much to lose (bar the £3000 or so).
Good luck to all!
I have asked at the AFCO and the RAF Careers line to confirm this information, but both have refused to comment either way. Is there anyway I can bypass these sources of information to someone OASC? The email below also states that it must be done at certain 'centres' - important to know where these are before going ahead.
There is very little careers advice available at the moment - I have one more year at university and would really like to know whether I'm eligible (or can get myself eligible with surgery) before sacrificing other opportunities in pursuit of this career. Does anyone else feel like they are in the same boat?
Perhaps its irrelevant anyway - getting the surgery will improve quality of life and if they are likely to reject because of below standard eyesight anyway, there isn't much to lose (bar the £3000 or so).
Good luck to all!
You could try writing to the Medical Board at OASC - their address should be google-able.
But as aircrew aren't being recruited at the moment, or indeed for the forseeable future, they're going to be in no hurry to reply.
But as aircrew aren't being recruited at the moment, or indeed for the forseeable future, they're going to be in no hurry to reply.
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I had Lasik to bring them up to scratch and I have never looked back
Sorry, I'll get my coat.
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It is quite simple really.
There are hundreds of people out there who wish to become Pilots in the RAF who do not have any problem with their eyesight.
There are many people who wish to become Pilots in the RAF who do have a problem with their eyesight.
The RAF only takes those who meet the highest medical requirements.
There are hundreds of people out there who wish to become Pilots in the RAF who do not have any problem with their eyesight.
There are many people who wish to become Pilots in the RAF who do have a problem with their eyesight.
The RAF only takes those who meet the highest medical requirements.
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First time I've come back to this for a while but yeah, if you need anymore evidence, follow the link in Vortex5's post.
Over a year later, the policy has finally become public.
Personally I am aiming at becoming a pilot (as an officer) in the Army Air Corps who are still recruiting aircrew, so no worries there.
Over a year later, the policy has finally become public.
Personally I am aiming at becoming a pilot (as an officer) in the Army Air Corps who are still recruiting aircrew, so no worries there.