Question regarding eyesight in the RAF

Question

I am posting this on behalf of someone:

I am hoping to join the RAF as a doctor , but might consider trying to become a pilot , i know you cant become a pilot if your eyesight doesnt meet the standards required , but what if i had corrective laser eye surgery?

Eyesight

For some jobs – including Pilot – your eyesight needs to meet certain standards.

If you wear glasses, you can work for the RAF but this may affect which roles you can apply for.

If you are colour blind, you will not be able to join the RAF as a Firefighter, Weapon Technician, Aircraft Technician (Mechanical) or Aircraft Technician (Avionics). To join as a Pilot or an Engineer Officer, you'll do a colour perception test. It's only by doing this test that we can decide whether you'll qualify for the job.

You cannot join the RAF if you:

* have a chronic eye condition, including glaucoma, keratoconus and retinitis pigmentosa;

* have had squint surgery in the last six months;

* have corneal problems such as a corneal graft and recurrent corneal ulcers;

* have lost or dislocated your eye lens or detached your retina; or

* have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

No mention of laser eye surgery.

Answer 1

Why not call their advice line on 0845 605 5555?

Answer 2

I don't have any sources but i think if you now have good eyesight that meets these regulations there should be no problem!

Answer 3

you are not allowed laser eye surgery, as your eyes may not stay corrected, and you may need extra medical intervention like pills, doctor visit etc. you have to have 20/20 vision without correction,

my mate is in the same position as you, he has one eye 200/20 and the other 20/20, he asked about laser eye surgery but they said no, for the reason above, he tried a program he got online that uses exercises to help strengthen the eye and improve vision, if you want the name of it, e-mail me and i'll ask him,

Answer 4

I joined the navy as a medic last year and I understand that eyesight requirements are the same for all three services.

All branches require a minimum eye sight requirement, which is slightly higher in the right eye because that is the eye you use to aim a rifle (yes, even medics have to be able to see well enough to shoot).  I have checked since joining and now that I am in, they are happy for me to have whatever laser eye surgery I like.  

The best thing you can do is to go to an AFCO and get the eyesight form, go to your opticians and get tested and then go back to the AFCO and ask them what your options are with this eyesight.  They probably won't know, so tell them to get on the phone and don't leave until you have all your answers.  If they give you numbers to ring, get your mobile out and call from their waiting room.  Too many people spend months worrying about their eyesight.

A friend of mine wanted to join the logistics branch and her eyesight was too poor, but they said that if she had the right type of laser surgery (sorry, can't remember which!) then she could reapply after two years and it would not be a problem.

Another friend (another medic) had already had the surgery, declared it on the form, but they said she was too blind before the surgery (-6) for them to accept her.  They did also say, however, that they wished she had never told them because they would never had known.

So it seems that:

1) You have to have a certain level of vision (about -3) to get in to the forces in general

2) Many/most branches require a higher standard of eyesight - pilots obviously being the highest.

3) If you can get in, then you can have your eyes lasered no probs

4) If you can't get in, then you may be able to have them lasered and reapply in 2 years

The only thing I don't know is whether or not they will let you be a pilot with lasered eyes.  The last I heard reliably was "no" because they were worried about the possible effects of increased G-force on lasered eyes (rupturing the scar).  That was a few years ago, however, and they may have done further research since then and decided it is not a problem.

I know that then if you were a pilot and your eyesight deteriorated they would make you a graduated visor, but they will only do this for you if they have already spent the £2m it costs to train a fighter pilot.

The only thing left to say is:

What on earth are you doing applying to the RAF?  Army - fine.  Navy - better.  Marines - if you're special in the head.  RAF? - might be ok if you want to be a GP.

Answer 5

Suggest that the person consults a civilian ophthalmologist and takes the result along to show the RAF medical authorities.