USAF pilot Question?

Question

I was looking into joining the airforce and i wanted to do something in the avaition field like flying helicopter are planes but my vision is not so good now will they let me get my vision corrected are no? and if i cant get it corrected then bascally i am screwed?

Answer 1

Waivers are given for guys already flying, or sometimes for Academy grads; I wouldn't count on one but it never hurts to try.

Let's make sure we're talking the same thing here:  there's four major areas to the eye exam; visual acuity, depth perception/astigmatism and color blindness.

If you have astigmatism, sorry you won't be accepted for pilot, and likely not for Nav.  However Air Battle Manager (the guys in the back in AWACS) shouldn't be a problem.

You need good/above average depth perception. Even after your eyes are corrected, if you can't pass the depth perception test(s). You're done.

If you fail the colorblindness test-you're done.

As for visual acuity, you have some options, provided your uncorrected vision isn't bad: 20/100 or worse:

1- Get surgery.  Before shelling out the money I would make certain that the AF is accepting surgically corrected applicants.  Again, you're an applicant, not a crewdog-the requirements are different.  Between LASIK and PRK, I would suggest PRK, as that is the preferred method for aircrews.  You'll hear about guys with LASIK being accepted but currently it's a VERY small number

2- Try the non-surgical methods, such as focus exercises etc.  This is physical therapy for the eye muscles, to get them to reshape the eyeball.  I make no guarantees other than I went from 20/70 with bad refractive error to 20/40 with almost none.

3- Apply for Navigator/WSO.  The visual acuity requirements are much lower:  20/200 correctable to 20/20 or better. You still need the depth and no astigmatism as with pilot.

Answer 2

You can have surgery, many of the pilots around now have.  Another option is glasses, lots of pilots wear them.  One way or another, you need good vision, though.  My good eye is 20/15 and the bad 20/25.  I had a waiver that gets updated yearly allowing me to fly.

Answer 3

Prk is currently the only accepted "fix" as of right now. With lasik, there is the possibility of the flap they cut becoming dislodged during negative g maneuvers, potentially ******* you for life. Speak with an officer selection officer regarding the specifics, he/she should be able to fill you in better.

Answer 4

What the h**l do you mean getting them corrected? Don't you have glasses man?

And yes the air force requires perfect 20/20 questions uncorrected.

They do make few expections though.

Another option is laser eye surgery.

Answer 5

The last I knew the USAF accepted PRK correction for fliers; they probably also do the same with most forms of LASIK by now!  Please double check prior to signing up with your hopes tied to flying!  Your vision needs to be 20/20 without classes or contacts!