All things LASIK surgery (aircrew/other -- merged)

[QORvanweert]

Yeah was going to say this. You don't want to go to some hack, and a responsible doctor should tell you to wait until around 24-26ish.

That is complete misinformation.

I had LasikWaveFront done 4 years ago at 21 and still see 20/16 in each eye... without any astigmatism. My original prescription was -2.5 and 90 ast. for each eye. Everyone's eyes are unique and the only person who can confirm you are ready for the surgery is the Dr. I had mine done at Yonge-Eglinton Laser Eye Clinic by Dr. Rootman. It was a phenomenal experience and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. My vision is literally perfect both day and night. My gf had her eyes done two years ago using the same technology at a clinic in BC. Same great result. Intralase is WORTH the money. Aside from that, 99% of the info on the internet is crap written by people who aren't qualified to comment. Talk to a Dr.

PS. Stay far far far away from LasikMD. Everyone I have met who had their eyes done at a LasikMD outlet has suffered very negative complications. They are only interested in the money and push shitty procedures with shitty technology. Stay far far away from them.

Edited to add postscript.

 

[tanman89]

That is complete misinformation.

I had LasikWaveFront done 4 years ago at 21 and still see 20/16 in each eye... without any astigmatism. My original prescription was -2.5 and 90 ast. for each eye. Everyone's eyes are unique and the only person who can confirm you are ready for the surgery is the Dr. I had mine done at Yonge-Eglinton Laser Eye Clinic by Dr. Rootman. It was a phenomenal experience and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. My vision is literally perfect both day and night. My gf had her eyes done two years ago using the same technology at a clinic in BC. Same great result. Intralase is WORTH the money. Aside from that, 99% of the info on the internet is crap written by people who aren't qualified to comment. Talk to a Dr.

I agree with I, Citizen here... the Docter actually suggested that the age i was at (22) was around the perfect age because your eye is still young and healthy and has had less of a chance to develop problems that would complicate the surgery... once again just my experiance. Go talk to a DR

 

[Globemaster77]

Just a quick note for the guy who asked about my glider application, I found out today that I was accepted to the glider pilot scholarship!! I'm flipping sh*t right now and can't sit still!!! I feel that I am one step closer to my dream already.

Thanks for your help guys! Any of you guys attended this before? Got any tips for me?

 

[Trick]

That is complete misinformation.

I had LasikWaveFront done 4 years ago at 21 and still see 20/16 in each eye... without any astigmatism. My original prescription was -2.5 and 90 ast. for each eye. Everyone's eyes are unique and the only person who can confirm you are ready for the surgery is the Dr. I had mine done at Yonge-Eglinton Laser Eye Clinic by Dr. Rootman. It was a phenomenal experience and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. My vision is literally perfect both day and night. My gf had her eyes done two years ago using the same technology at a clinic in BC. Same great result. Intralase is WORTH the money. Aside from that, 99% of the info on the internet is crap written by people who aren't qualified to comment. Talk to a Dr.

PS. Stay far far far away from LasikMD. Everyone I have met who had their eyes done at a LasikMD outlet has suffered very negative complications. They are only interested in the money and push shitty procedures with shitty technology. Stay far far away from them.

Edited to add postscript.

No, it's not. You're right, each case is individual, but a responsible doctor (not one just looking for a payday) would advise a patient to wait until early to mid twenties. It doesn't mean it can't work out, especially by 21 things would probably be just fine. It just means they should probably wait a little bit. There's a big emphasis in medicine on avoiding unnecessary surgery. A doctor who ignores that would indeed be deemed "irresponsible" by his peers. For this reason, many of these surgeons are in fact looked down on by their peers (at least here in Ontario). 21 isn't so bad, especially if your eyes have been stable for years. There's a big difference here between 21 and 18 (not like say 33 and 36. The OP is significantly younger than you were. You're also right in that I'm not really qualified to talk about it- I'm not a vision specialist. I am however in another medical field just trying to offer my 2 cents and I get the feeling you are not. Anecdotes are not medical advice.

Anyone looking to get laser surgery should start their journey not by walking into a clinic, but with their GP, who will (hopefully) point them in the right direction from the outset.

EDIT: Congrats on the scholarship! I was an air cadet myself.

 

[dcs]

Do a lot of investigation and listen to your personal GP and the reputable  (Lasik,Bochman etc) eye doctors.  If they say anything but positive at the current time... wait.  And... when you do go ahead (if you do) make sure that you are getting the type of procedure that is acceptable for flight crews if that is what you are going for. Also Med Techs that we spoke to said that they get a lot that have it done and the results do not change the medical status of the file.  Also a cost of about $5,000      ..... Bochner does dove a student/military discount of 15% I think it was.

Younger Son was advised that his eyesight was not not good enough for his selected trades and asked if he wanted to select others that were.  He really wanted the selected trades and his older brother is at RMC and would not change his decision for the world.

Younger son wanted to take a look at Laser surgery and we spoke with a number of Doctors and did a lot of web based research to say the least.  He was 18 at the time, and a few doctors showed little concern and comment........ walk away from these.  Spoke with Bochman, who have been around a long time and the Doctors there literally wrote the text books for such surgery.  The first question was "what change has there been in his eyes over the past 3 years?"  and " we need copies of his eye exam results from the last three years before we can even make any comment".  His eyesight has been very stable with very little change, which they said was unusual for someone of his age.  They stated that they could therefore do the surgery only if his eyes checked out and corneal thickness etc was good.... And that they could not guarantee 20/20 vision but were able to supply statistics as to percentage that were and others.    Also stated that as we all should know eyesight changes as we get older and that would still happen etc....

Took down the past three years results, had him checked out and the surgery was done.  He was a real trooper (no pun intended) and pleased to state that he does indeed have 20/20 vision and has been changed to V1 and merit listed March 15th.  He is a strong candidate or we would not have had him get.......... it is his dream and I guess he will find out in the next couple of weeks if he is accepted.  If not .....  either Queens, McMaster or Carleton for CIvil Engineering.

So in summary... do your homework and listen to the Doctors and take their advice.  DONT EVEN DISCUSS FURTHER WITH THOSE THAT DO NOT ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS WITH YOUR AGE.  Son was fortunate that stable and thick corneas etc.  If they recommend not to do for a few more years or until stable listen to them.  Most will not even do the surgery when this is the case... there is a a reason that this is their stance.

Good luck in your application.

 

[dcs]

From sons experience.............    You will not be Merit listed until you meet all requirements including medical.  They will not give any status to you having had the surgery  (and see earlier post in regards to you even doing that at your age).

How could they possibly know the outcome 6 months post operation and that it will be acceptable???? 

Your file will be simply with a whole lot of others... on hold not proceeding due to medical reasons.

 

[I dont know]

So I’m from the UK (My father is from Quebec and so I have Canadian citizenship) and hope to be a pilot serving the CF.

Today I had an eye test, and my optometrist told me that my vision is okay and that I will be eligible to do things like be in the air force and become a pilot.

However, I just want to get confirmation of this and hope you guys can tell me based on what my prescription states...

Right: Sph= -1.00 Cyl= -0.50 Axis=90

Left: Sph= -1.25 Cyl= -0.25 Axis= 105

(These results are listed on the 'distance' blocks)

 

[mariomike]

This may help:
http://www.google.com/cse?cx=001303416948774225061%3Aqhcx9pz3dku&ie=UTF-8&q=pilot+vision&sa=Search&siteurl=www.google.com%2Fcse%2Fhome%3Fcx%3D001303416948774225061%3Aqhcx9pz3dku&ref=#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=pilot%20vision&gsc.page=1

Also see, "Vision Threads for Pilot Applicants(eyesight)":
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/17703/post-103980.html?PHPSESSID=aa5o7mgk0v8ksv19koau5hdjh7#msg103980

 

[Jon_John]

CFP 154: http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/pd/cfp-pfc-154/default-eng.asp

The website indicates minimum med standards. So if one receives a lower numerical value on their med testing is this acceptable, or is it the higher the number the better your medical performance. I'm having a hard time finding an answer to that even after searching through the references. I completed a med test back in 2008 and I'm trying to determine (based on those results) how far off my med performance is from that of the pilot trade. i.e. the vision requirement for pilot is 2, I received a 3 back in 2008; is a lower number better?

 

[brihard]

No it is not I'm afraid. The lower the number the better. Pilot requires V2 or lower, you're a V3. You will not be a CF pilot.

 

[Jon_John]

No it is not I'm afraid. The lower the number the better. Pilot requires V2 or lower, you're a V3. You will not be a CF pilot.

Thanks for the prompt reply! Do individuals have to meet the minimum vision requirements BEFORE applying as a pilot or can this requirement be met even after aircrew selection? I'm only asking because it looks like laser eye surgery is my only option here but I am not interested in pursuing that if I'm not accepted into the pilot trade (for my own personal  reasons), if I later find out that I've passed all other preliminary testing inclusive of aircrew selection then I would be more comfortable with receiving laser eye surgery. 

Thanks in advance.

 

[medicineman]

If you're not a V2 when you do your enrollment medical, you'll not be processed further for aircrew selection as a pilot.

MM

 

[Gunshark]

This advice might be too obvious, but why not pop into the CFRC and discuss your options in person with the recruiter? This is the go-to vehicle for answering questions, especially serious ones like whether to go through with lazik or not. Best of luck.

 

[Flyingboy444]

Hi, on the Canada Forces website they say that you can still apply to become a pilot if you wear glasses. But, my problem is that I don't really need glasses. I did my driver license test and I pass the vision test without glasses but I was borderline. So, I don't 20/20 vision but I don't have bad vision. Most likely if I do become a pilot in the air force I would need to wear my glasses but would I be okay for the application process. Thank you very much.

 

[Oompah-Loompah@]

A little search goes a long way.

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/31590.0

Pilots need V1 in visual acuity.

So you have to have 20/20 uncorrected vision.

 

[Flyingboy444]

But that was in 2005. The website say if you wear glasses you can apply. http://www.forces.ca/en/page/faq-101

 

[mariomike]

But that was in 2005. The website say if you wear glasses you can apply. http://www.forces.ca/en/page/faq-101

Also, I saw this the other day in regards to a question about hearing.

Medical Standards for Military Occupations
http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about-policies-standards-medical-occupations/index.page

Date modified:2013-07-23

Best bet is to contact CFRC.

 

[PuckChaser]

But, my problem is that I don't really need glasses. I did my driver license test and I pass the vision test without glasses but I was borderline.

For some reason, I think the vision standard to fly a multimillion dollar aircraft at speeds over 200mph at a minimum are probably significantly higher than a civilian driver's test.

 

[Loachman]

Glasses are not a showstopper. A few things have changed since 2005. A little search may go a long way, but a big one will go further.

You will get a pretty thorough eye exam if you make it to that point, and that will determine whether your eyesight is good enough or not.

There is a lot more on this site that you should be reading if you want to be a CF Pilot.

 

[Flyingboy444]

Also, is there a difference between the vision requirements for fast jet, multi engine and helicopter? Thanks for all answers. BTW this was my first post but not my last!