Good news for AF pilot wannabees...LASIK approved

[PreContact]

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/05/airforce_lasik_pilots_070524/

Flying jobs now open to LASIK patients

Staff Report
Posted : Thursday May 24, 2007 15:50:12 EDT

People who have had LASIK corrective eye surgery are now eligible to apply for aviation and aviation-related jobs, the Air Force announced today.
The change took effect May 21 after studies showed there was little or no difference between LASIK-treated eyes and untreated eyes when subjected to the wind blast experienced during aircraft ejection or exposure to high altitude.
All applicants to aviation-related career fields — regardless of whether they have had corrective eye surgery — must still meet the vision requirements articulated in AFI 48-123.
The change also removes the altitude and high-performance aircraft restrictions for people who have had LASIK.
The Air Force is recommending two particular types of LASIK surgery for aviation candidates: Wave Front Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy, or WFG-PRK, and Wave Front Guided Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, or WFG-LASIK, using the femtosecond laser.
The eyes are more trauma resistant after surgery using one of these methods compared to other forms of surgery, according to the Air Force’s press release.

 

[Scrapdog]

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/05/airforce_lasik_pilots_070524/

Flying jobs now open to LASIK patients

Staff Report
Posted : Thursday May 24, 2007 15:50:12 EDT

People who have had LASIK corrective eye surgery are now eligible to apply for aviation and aviation-related jobs, the Air Force announced today.
The change took effect May 21 after studies showed there was little or no difference between LASIK-treated eyes and untreated eyes when subjected to the wind blast experienced during aircraft ejection or exposure to high altitude.
All applicants to aviation-related career fields — regardless of whether they have had corrective eye surgery — must still meet the vision requirements articulated in AFI 48-123.
The change also removes the altitude and high-performance aircraft restrictions for people who have had LASIK.
The Air Force is recommending two particular types of LASIK surgery for aviation candidates: Wave Front Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy, or WFG-PRK, and Wave Front Guided Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, or WFG-LASIK, using the femtosecond laser.
The eyes are more trauma resistant after surgery using one of these methods compared to other forms of surgery, according to the Air Force’s press release.

Latest news I heard (straight from the eye doc) after my last flight physical this past Spring is that fatty drivers are the only ones approved to fly with LASIK. Fighter guys = PRK only. Something about the flap possibly coming up from the laser on your cornea under high G.

 

[frog_flyer]

The T-6 can pull 6 G's, can't it?

That wouldn't be an issue?

 

[CrewDawg]

A guy in our group at brooks questioned (for his bud) the Doc about if a centain thing would be allowed if he was going to fly heavies (guard guy). The Doc replied the A.F. doesn't put anything in the regs for certain aircraft. To pass you have to meet the standards or get a waiver to fly anything in the A.F. This is why the color vision is such a big thing. While some aircraft it might not be an issue, with all the new color mfd's coming out on the next generation aircraft it may become an issue.

The only thing he mentioned is that some people get height waivers stating they can't fly certain a/c. Ex. My friend was hired to fly 130's for the guard but she had to get a height waiver and it says he can't fly C-17s.

 

[d.fitz]

+7 G's / -5 G's in competition aerobatics hasnt moved the flap yet...

 

[Captain X]

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/05/airforce_lasik_pilots_070524/

Flying jobs now open to LASIK patients

Staff Report
Posted : Thursday May 24, 2007 15:50:12 EDT

People who have had LASIK corrective eye surgery are now eligible to apply for aviation and aviation-related jobs, the Air Force announced today.
The change took effect May 21 after studies showed there was little or no difference between LASIK-treated eyes and untreated eyes when subjected to the wind blast experienced during aircraft ejection or exposure to high altitude.
All applicants to aviation-related career fields — regardless of whether they have had corrective eye surgery — must still meet the vision requirements articulated in AFI 48-123.
The change also removes the altitude and high-performance aircraft restrictions for people who have had LASIK.
The Air Force is recommending two particular types of LASIK surgery for aviation candidates: Wave Front Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy, or WFG-PRK, and Wave Front Guided Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, or WFG-LASIK, using the femtosecond laser.
The eyes are more trauma resistant after surgery using one of these methods compared to other forms of surgery, according to the Air Force’s press release.

10 years too late.......:angryfire

 

[VeeOne]

What is the military's age cut off for a flight slot???

 

[CrewDawg]

What is the military's age cut off for a flight slot???

Must start UPT by the age of 30. I did have a guy in my AMS class that was 31 with a age waiver, not even he knows why they approved his waiver. Very rare!

 

[lindsaya99]

Doh!!! Only 7 years too late.

 

[PreContact]

Good to know

I spoke with a flight surgeon about this. HE strongly advised that if you're considering LASIK, have it pre-approved! I guess there are better doctors than others, and you could still be disqualified by the AF if they're not happy with the procedure's result.

 

[Deuce130]

I heard the Army is approving LASIK for all of its combat soldiers, and providing it, as well. Something about contacts and glasses being too hard to maintain in the desert combat environment. I then read a memo from the AF flight surgeon saying no contacts would be allowed in theater - all members had to wear their glasses. Once I got done laughing about that, I was thinking the AF should provide corrective eye surgery for all of its pilots as well. I won't hold my breath, though.

 

[AdolphOlivrbush]

the old policy said a heavy guy could get LASIK and return to his airframe, but they had a clause in the reg that said you couldn't fly any trainer or high performance a/c with LASIK. this new policy change has lifted that restriction. guys can go fly anthing now, and this isn't just for rated guys (applicants as well now). it used to be PRK only for fighters, now LASIK is approved.

 

[Scrapdog]

the old policy said a heavy guy could get LASIK and return to his airframe, but they had a clause in the reg that said you couldn't fly any trainer or high performance a/c with LASIK. this new policy change has lifted that restriction. guys can go fly anthing now, and this isn't just for rated guys (applicants as well now). it used to be PRK only for fighters, now LASIK is approved.

What is your source? As stated earlier, I just had my annual physical about 3 months ago and straight from the optometrist - no LASIK for fighter guys...period (PRK is ok, but puts you out of flying for about 6 months). Please let me know your official source so I can rectify it with the flight doc. Thanks.

 

[AdolphOlivrbush]

For more information on the Air Force’s policies, including information on
applying for LASIK or PRK, go to http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/USAF-RS
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=46483
**************

Now you and your eye doc can be in the loop! He wouldn't have known about the policy change since the memo just came out a few weeks ago.

 

[lindsaya99]

Just curious but what is the age limit now for OTS, UPT, etc...?

 

[AdolphOlivrbush]

30 I believe.