why do some air forces allow lasik and PRK while others don’t?
future fighterpilot. asked:
why do some countries air force allow pilots to have vision surgery like lasik and prk and others don’t?
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on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Military.
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why do some countries air force allow pilots to have vision surgery like lasik and prk and others don’t?
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
The biggest problem with this type of eye operation is the possible loss of night vision and peripheral vision. The newer versions seem to be better and cause a lower amount of night vision loss but even so this is a very important part of air force flying as is peripheral vision requirements.
Night vision is essential for landing and take offs for many missions due to time over target for demands. This means the pilot must have decent night vision in order to see other aircraft, possible targets, possible structures and other objects that could be hazardous to low level operations.
Peripheral vision is necessary in many situations as the pilot has to be able to see other aircraft and objects as he handles the aircraft. In formation flying peripheral vision is essential to not hit another aircraft.
Just as many years ago many airforces would not allow any pilots who wore corrective lenses as the possibility of them moving and or coming off and causing vision problems during combat flying and fast direction changes.
So any operation that affects the eyes is deemed a problem by all air forces. It takes for the operation to be perfected and actually not have any bad effects to be considered alright A pilots eyes are one of the major items requird for flying and doing visual ops. While some of these operations are minor and do help with vision, there are some that affect the vision and so while helping for part they also have side effects that are bad for pilots.
April 5th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Some Air Forces are willing to rationalise that the complications and side effects associated with laser eye surgery are minor and shouldn’t get in the way of having a wider pilot recruiting base.
Other Air Forces are significantly smaller. They’re likely to have far more applicants for each pilot position and thus only take the very best. Given smaller budgets and the costs associated with training pilots, they can’t really afford to accept someone with slight eye complications.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:26 am
The air force will allow lasik and PRK but IF AND ONLY IF IT IS DONE BY A CERTIFIED MILITARY SURGEON. If you get selected for flight school the air force will cover all costs of eye surgery.