Intra-ocular lenses - am I screwed?

I'm wanting to join up but I've got -10 vision and rather than have laser surgery on my eyes they have recommended intra-ocular lenses, which are tiny implants into the eye to correct vision.

Does anybody know of anyone in the Navy/Forces whose had these?

I think the navy might not approve of the surgery like they do Lasik/Lasek, weird cos its much less invasive, involving a tiny incision and it's reversible!!

Could I concievably blag it? There's absolutely no way they could tell I'd had the operation, but would it invalidate my inu
surance, get me kicked out if discovered, etc, etc?

C

 

Talk to Optimax, they can do -10 now. You can serve with LASIK/LASEK, but you need to talk to a Careers Officer before having it done, there are some conditions about stability and elapsed time.

You are right about insurance, and they would kick you out!

 

Cheers Pompey, good advice.

The reason they recommended intra ocular lenses is 'cos they will work 100%, no error margin. With Lasik/Lasek at -10 vison there is a chance I would still need glasses, making the operation a bit pointless :roll:

It's weird, my dad wanted to serve as an officer with much better sight than mine in the 1950's, but they wouldn't accept him because they were much more stringent then. Nowadays, with all the leeway they give and all the operations available, I still can't serve for the same reason. It's like history repeating :?

 

The RN takes a dim view of refractive surgery of any kind, especially if they only find out after the event...

APN

 

One that I posted on ARRSE a little while back, just to update the factoids...

From a Surgeon Captain (RN)....

If the issue is just corrective refraction, the following methods of surgical correction for short sight are now considered suitable prior to entry on a case-by-case basis for non-specialist employment groups, and subject to Single Service requirements.

Photorefractive Keratomy (PRK)
Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)
Intrastomal Corneal Rings (ICRs) also known as Intrastromal Corneal Segments (ICS)

Entry will not be considered for those who have had Radial Keratomy (RK) or Astigmatic Keratomy (AK).

If you are already in you will not have a problem. The commonest procedures are PRK or LASEK, both of which are OK as far as the RN is concerned.

I would suggest getting an informal Army opinion on this (from a suitably qualified person - ie Medical) before proceeding, especially if your form of entry involves any advance of pay or bursary tied to contract.

 

I had my eyes done a few years back,,, doesn't seem to be much of a problem since!

 

Thanks very much for your detailed answer

However, intra ocular lenses (ICL's) aren't mentioned. So might there leave some avenues to explore in regards to entering? I mean Eddie the Eagle has IOL's and he throws himself off mountains! :lol:

Is there a naval surgeon I could write to about this?

Oh, and I forgot, I have -9 and -10 sight in my eyes. Does this just rule me out totally, even after corrective surgery? 8O

Cheers

C

 

Not ruled out, but get yourself to a Career's Office and ask them the question. They will get in touch with the Medical bods and get you a definitive answer.

I had a mate who trapped the most horrendous females possible, so he must have had worse eyesight than you!

 

cheers, will do.

I was thinking of having the operation done by an ex-RN surgeon, who also did Ricky Branson! (follow link)

http://www.laservision-uk.com/about.asp?section=11

do u reckon having op done by ex RN would help my case? perhaps a letter from him would hold more water?

 

Incidentally, I have it on reasonable authority that for entry following refractive surgery, one's eyesight must be no worse than +6.00 or -6.00 preop (Ref: JSP 346 para 4.20) - worth checking though.

APN

 

u mean they must have been no worse than +/-6 before surgery?

 

Not at all! Because it's medical, it won't matter who writes the letter, it will need to pass conditions that are not negotiable or flexible. It's simply too dangerous to suddenly find that your eyes are affected by halo, strobe or other lighting or environment effects. You need the info from the Careers Office, to be honest.

 

That would be my reading of the reference - however I will have a look when I have JSP 346 to hand, for the full context.

APN

 

thanks guys, much appreciated. the reason i've asked on here first is cos i've read on a lot of the forums that the careers office often knows jack about eyesight related issues

 

The advice you have already had is probably enough, but there are no ophthalmic surgeons left in the RN, if there are any in the Defence Medical Service at all. Nevertheless there will be somebody retained by the Service as a consultant for opinion and their advice will be available via the recruiters.

 

That is what I have heard also. Worth getting a professional opinion, but you might as well know from the off that if you are partially-sighted to begin with surgery isn't going to be your magic ticket into the mob.

 

BR1750A suggests that +/-6.00 is acceptable in people already in but +/-3.00 is the limit for joining.

APN