Candidates with corrective eye surgery, such as Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) or Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), are still eligible for enlistment in the military. It includes the fields of engineering and medicine.
(A) Individuals over the age of 20 who have had LASIK or PRK surgery are eligible to apply for a commission in the Army if they meet the following requirements:-
Myopic or hyperopic LASIK or PRK with stable refraction for at least six months after surgery
Retinal health (ii). Maximum residual refraction for myopia or hyperopia should be + 1.50 in any meridian, and corrected vision should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.
Candidates over the age of 20 may undergo LASIK and PRK as part of the admissions process at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. Candidates with LASIK or PRK are not allowed to enter the National Defense Academy (NDA), the Navy, or the Air Force as Enlisted, Other ranks (OR), or Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs). Candidates who have had LASIK or PRK surgery will be disqualified from aircrew positions in the Army.
After undergoing corrective surgery like
LASIK or Radial Keratotomy, candidates with poor visual acuity can now fly helicopters and transport planes in the IAF. To be eligible, candidates need only comply with the IAF’s minimum post-surgery requirements for correcting their vision. In the past, the IAF wouldn’t hire people who’d had corrective eye surgery.
They have a fighting chance if they have already had eye surgery but are willing to adhere to our established minimal post-operative requirements. “The senior Colonel Commandant of the force, Lt. Gen. Yogendra Singh, who also serves as the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services, stated. Eyeball length after surgery must be no more than 25.5 mm. Cornea thickness must be no less than 450 microns, which is the requirement of the IAF.
A candidate can be considered for flying a helicopter or a fixed-wing aircraft after having had LASIK surgery (correcting myopia and hypermetropia) and having recovered for one year.
LASIK is a procedure used to improve vision and reduce the severity of some types of eye damage. Extremely demanding physical training is a common cause of eye strain for recruits at all levels of the military. Therefore, the force previously rejected applicants who had surgery to correct their eyesight.
Protocols of the Indian Air Force
Only one laser eye correction is allowed during your time in the Air Force.
A pilot’s (a fighter’s) ability to see clearly and make split-second decisions depends on their eyesight. As a result, the candidate’s eyesight needs to be at least 20/70.
Candidates must have 20/200 or better vision in both eyes to be considered for Navigator Training. Your idea must be 6/6 with corrective lenses. The Indian military has these regulations for LASIK surgery. Pick a trustworthy surgeon if you need surgery, as even a minor misstep can have serious consequences. As a result, we must conclude that civilian norms do not apply. The corneal thickness and axial length are both crucial.
You should be aware that no one, not even the operating surgeon, can guarantee that the surgery won’t result in rejection. Those who do it know the potential consequences. The above is understood by those who choose to have Epilasik or surface ablation performed. You should set aside at least two months for recovery.
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