Comments on: Is laser eye surgery worth the risk if it means I can fly? http://www.eyeprocedure.com/blog/is-laser-eye-surgery-worth-the-risk-if-it-means-i-can-fly/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:13:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: jim http://www.eyeprocedure.com/blog/is-laser-eye-surgery-worth-the-risk-if-it-means-i-can-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-38 jim Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:37:04 +0000 http://www.eyeprocedure.com/blog/is-laser-eye-surgery-worth-the-risk-if-it-means-i-can-fly/#comment-38 I'm no doctor, but as a retired WSO in the USAF, I CAN tell you that eye surgery was actually encouraged among aircrews. There's two types: LASIK, and "PRK". Of the two PRK is more expensive, generally, but provides better results, and was the approved technique. I understand, now though, that LASIK is also acceptable. Before you spend the money on an initial exam, and possibly surgery though, I would ensure you can pass the other requirements for an Initial Class I Phyiscal: No astigmatism, and good/excellent depth perception No significant loss of hearing No history of asthma, heart conditions or high/low blood pressure Haven't been unconscious for more than 5-6 minutes since the age of 12. (Being under for surgery is OK.) Have a sitting height of =< 48". Don't want to leave your knees behind if you have to eject some day. Not diabetic. History of diabetes in your family's OK, as long as you aren't tested positive. Not tested positive for HIV. Not excessively over/underweight for your height, AND at least 5'4" for males, 5' for females (though this can be waivered. If you're pretty much otherwise good to go, and this is what you really want to do, then maybe you should consider an initial exam. Not everyone has vision that can be laser-corrected. I’m no doctor, but as a retired WSO in the USAF, I CAN tell you that eye surgery was actually encouraged among aircrews. There’s two types: LASIK, and “PRK”. Of the two PRK is more expensive, generally, but provides better results, and was the approved technique. I understand, now though, that LASIK is also acceptable.
Before you spend the money on an initial exam, and possibly surgery though, I would ensure you can pass the other requirements for an Initial Class I Phyiscal:
No astigmatism, and good/excellent depth perception
No significant loss of hearing
No history of asthma, heart conditions or high/low blood pressure
Haven’t been unconscious for more than 5-6 minutes since the age of 12. (Being under for surgery is OK.)
Have a sitting height of =< 48″. Don’t want to leave your knees behind if you have to eject some day.
Not diabetic. History of diabetes in your family’s OK, as long as you aren’t tested positive.
Not tested positive for HIV.
Not excessively over/underweight for your height, AND at least 5′4″ for males, 5′ for females (though this can be waivered.
If you’re pretty much otherwise good to go, and this is what you really want to do, then maybe you should consider an initial exam. Not everyone has vision that can be laser-corrected.

]]> By: Delta Virtual Airlines #3438 http://www.eyeprocedure.com/blog/is-laser-eye-surgery-worth-the-risk-if-it-means-i-can-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Delta Virtual Airlines #3438 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:48:08 +0000 http://www.eyeprocedure.com/blog/is-laser-eye-surgery-worth-the-risk-if-it-means-i-can-fly/#comment-37 I have heard from many people that airlines prefer your eyes be corrected by lenses. They do not recommend laser surgery because of the complications. They'd rather have you wearing coke-bottle classes if you have to then to go blurry during a landing. I have heard from many people that airlines prefer your eyes be corrected by lenses. They do not recommend laser surgery because of the complications. They’d rather have you wearing coke-bottle classes if you have to then to go blurry during a landing.

]]> By: Charles M http://www.eyeprocedure.com/blog/is-laser-eye-surgery-worth-the-risk-if-it-means-i-can-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Charles M Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:06:31 +0000 http://www.eyeprocedure.com/blog/is-laser-eye-surgery-worth-the-risk-if-it-means-i-can-fly/#comment-36 I aint no doctor so I cant advise you very well but if flying is what you want to do then it is worth it. But you may not be selected as a pilot in the airforce and may be stuck as a ground ops guy. I aint no doctor so I cant advise you very well but if flying is what you want to do then it is worth it. But you may not be selected as a pilot in the airforce and may be stuck as a ground ops guy.

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