For Apache pilots requiring optical correction?

[Bushmaster]

Brad, you'd probably know about this since you already picked your airframe.

 

I believe (according to my last exam which was a while ago) I have better vision than 20/50 which is Army requirement however I do not have 20/20 in either eye. Some guys at work was telling me that anything worse than 20/20 is a disqualifier for the Apache, you won't get to pick it due to IHADSS, can't operate the system with corrective lenses.

 

Is there any truth to this? Because I have heard from a NG guy who flew the Apaches, he got authorization for contacts.

 

Ask around for me if you have 20/20 and never had an issue with it. Thanks man.:pilotfly:

[Sundowner.pl]

The contact lenses shouldn't be any problem, they're like an extension of the natural eye lens. I'm using those for 5 years now, there is no problem with rifle scopes, NVGs, VR helmets, etc. No additional reflexes in night like with normal glasses, you could even swim or dive in them... just don't blink too fast ;)

 

Going for PRK or Lasik in the future though, will save some time.

[Bushmaster]

I wear them only when I go to the range to qualify with my weapon, however, flying is a different ball game. In the Army, everything has to be authorized. PRK would be the one I'd prefer over LASIK but I am not a good candidate due to the relatively small prescription I have, compared to good candidates. I do not wear glasses in daily life.

[bradmick]

Nah, it's not a big deal. I know lots of folks with glasses that fly the Apache. They have a special set of IHADSS glasses that they are issued by the friendly eye folks. My last eye exam gave me the option of wearing glasses or not, my right eye has an astigmatism, it's not real bad, but i'll probably have to have glasses after my next eye exam. You can get a waiver for it as well. You can also get laser corrective surgery, but you have to be wary because the Army has only approved two types, and I'm sorry to say I can't remember which ones. A flight surgeon should be able to answer that. But, if you're wearing contacts that should be fine too. The biggest problem with contacts is that in the event of a flash fire, they'll melt to your cornea. That's why the Army isn't to hot on them. But, yeah, a good buddy of mine who's going through the course right now (who started flight school with glasses) got here, so you shouldn't have a single problem either.

 

Brad

[Legolasindar]

First sorry for my english.

 

In most armies and air to pilot fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships you must have a perfect view, if you use glasses or contact lenses you are unfit, you are dependent on these devices to see well. If those operated for the hearing nor can fly. The LASIK and LASEK makes you a cut in the cornea that after the operation again subject alone, but if you bear a sharp blow can be released, so those persons who are in their work exercises at risk, police, firefighters, military, athletes can not take place of the hearing.

 

I insist that each country has its rules, this is a standard adopted in general.

[SaintJ]

When I tried to join the service I was told 20/20 uncorrected. They had said that the g-load (fixed wing is what I was looking into) could distort the contact lens causing it to dislodge. At the time, LASIK and other procedures were still new in the field.

 

I have since had LASIK performed on both eyes and now have better than 20/20 vision. If only they could do something for all these damn floaters in my vision I would be a happy guy.

 

On a side note, I wasn't allowed into the service because at the age of 18 I had a Spontaneous pneumothorax. My lung collapsed. Instant disqualification from any branch.

 

I had talked to an F-16 pilot some time later who said there were indeed ways to get around the uncorrected vision thing but they were lengthy and a long shot.

[Sundowner.pl]

I wear them only when I go to the range to qualify with my weapon, however, flying is a different ball game. In the Army, everything has to be authorized.

Like everywhere in military ;)

 

I don't know about the Army, but in USAF and Navy - for the fighters - one need to have 20/20 or correctable to that standard, and only PRK is allowed - Lasik is to young technology. In Poland you need to have perfect vision, I don't know if even PRK is allowed, any trouble with sight, and the choppers are the only way to fly for you here.

 

And by the way: There is no problem in flying with contact lenses in fighters, the older generation could be a problem, but not the new ones, they do not deform or change position during high G maneuvers, I know a guy who flew the Extra 300 and said that even at +8Gs there is no problem with them. As for melting - well in a situation when those will melt - you'll lose you eyes anyway ;)

 

There are limits to their use though. If someone is working with chemicals, or fine dust, than it may stick to the lens, and cause problems. And putting them on and off takes some time and need a semi-sterile environment ;)

 

BTW there is a book by W. H. Bates: "Better Eyesight Without Glasses" have some exercises, might be usefull to you.

[bradmick]

That's why everyone who wants to fly should go the Army and push for Apaches, we're so shorthanded you shouldn't have any problems :D

 

Brad

[Bushmaster]

I have since had LASIK performed on both eyes and now have better than 20/20 vision. If only they could do something for all these damn floaters in my vision I would be a happy guy.

 

It is possible but they don't recommend this operation unless the floaters are blocking your sight to a degree you can not function in daily activities. I think they replace the natural liquid (I can't remember the name) with an artificial one, yes the liquid in your eye. They flush all floaters out.

 

I had talked to an F-16 pilot some time later who said there were indeed ways to get around the uncorrected vision thing but they were lengthy and a long shot.

 

USAF's standards are more relaxed in terms of visual acuity, but they do test for things like close accommodation where you focus on things closer than 100mm, we don't go more than 100mm in the Army and we do it both eyes, not each.

 

 

I don't know about the Army, but in USAF and Navy - for the fighters - one need to have 20/20 or correctable to that standard, and only PRK is allowed - Lasik is to young technology.

 

USAF recently approved LASIK. USAF has a limit of 20/70 in terms of visual acuity while we have 20/50. The refraction error limits are the same, which is -1.50 myopia. Which is what I have, but not that bad, I am about -.75 in one eye, -.50 in the other. My eyes only moved about 1/2 diopters in 13 years. The reason we have different visual acuity limits in the services of course depends on our mission areas, these limits are established according to the ability of aircrews safely landing aircraft in case of emergencies where they might lose their corrective lenses.

 

 

In Poland you need to have perfect vision, I don't know if even PRK is allowed, any trouble with sight, and the choppers are the only way to fly for you here.

 

This is like that in most European countries, even in my native Turkey, because small fleet, tons of applicants, they have to disqualify somehow. If a guy in the US could fly a F-16 with 20/70 vision, there is no reason he could not if he is Polish, Turkish, Russian whatever... I know it sucks.

 

BTW there is a book by W. H. Bates: "Better Eyesight Without Glasses" have some exercises, might be useful to you.

 

I have started developing myopia when I was 17. Since then, I have read a lot on the eyes, eye deficiencies whatnot, Bates Method is basically bogus. It is based on a theory he came up early past century. Modern science debunked his approach. It does help but doesn't correct. I have tried many studies and methods, plus lenses, See clearly method, etc, these things don't affect the refraction error which is the main thing they check during exams.

 

 

That's why everyone who wants to fly should go the Army and push for Apaches, we're so shorthanded you shouldn't have any problems :D

 

Brad

 

 

Quiet quiet... Wait until I pick the Apache...

[Bucic]

When I tried to join the service I was told 20/20 uncorrected. They had said that the g-load (fixed wing is what I was looking into) could distort the contact lens causing it to dislodge. At the time, LASIK and other procedures were still new in the field.

 

I can confirm that for Polish Air Force requirements. I don't know if laser correction is allowed though.

[urze]

I know that the 'Lufthansa' don't take new pilots with laser correction , because it's to risky for them to spend millions in the education of a pilot without having reliable long time data about laser corrected eyes.

[Bushmaster]

How long has it been since LASIK/PRK was introduced?

[Sundowner.pl]

PRK is early 80's, and LASIK is 1990.

[thesystem]

here at the dutch airforce it is possible to get your eyes lasered and then get in to the service but they will test your eyes the best they can. here they warn you about it that your eyes can lose depth vision and colour....and that you can't wear any contact lenses when your eyes get worse....they say...try contact lenses and with no other option, go to a medical eye lasering institution. not some private stuff. But you can get in!

For myself: I am now wearing contact lenses and i am gonna be Loadmaster on the C130.....

[Bushmaster]

Laser surgeries focus on the cornea which is not anatomically tied to color or depth perception. So that should not be a problem at all. Good luck with the Herk.

[Prophet]

Intralase LASIK is approved for Navy.

[Bushmaster]

5-10 years down the line, eyesight will not be a major disqualifier in the US, compared to some European countries.