Is refractive surgery acceptable in Army, Navy or Air Force? | Centre for Sight

Summary

Major General J.K.S. Parihar, Retired, shares crucial information regarding vision requirements for candidates wishing to join the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and police forces. He explains the eligibility for those who have undergone modern refractive eye surgeries like LASIK, SMILE, and Contoura, detailing specific conditions like age, refractive error, and corneal thickness. Candidates with ICL surgeries or certain eye conditions are not eligible. The message encourages young individuals with corrected vision to serve in the nation's defense and law enforcement, provided they meet the necessary criteria.

Takeaways

• 😀 Major General J.K.S. Parihar addresses concerns about eligibility for joining the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police due to eye conditions.
• 😀 In 2010, the Indian government introduced relaxed guidelines allowing LASIK surgery candidates to join the armed forces and police, subject to certain conditions.
• 😀 The minimum age for candidates who undergo LASIK surgery should be 20 years.
• 😀 Candidates must have a pre-surgery refractive error (glass prescription) of no more than -6 diopters to be eligible.
• 😀 The axial length of the eye must not exceed 26mm for the Army and 25.5mm for the Navy and Air Force.
• 😀 After LASIK surgery, the corneal thickness must be greater than 450 microns to qualify for military and police service.
• 😀 A small residual refractive error (+/-1) post-surgery does not disqualify candidates from joining the forces.
• 😀 Individuals who have undergone other eye surgeries, such as ICL (Intraocular Collamer Lens) or Radial Keratotomy, are not eligible to join the armed forces or police.
• 😀 Candidates with keratoconus or a thin cornea are also ineligible for military or police service.
• 😀 The government has made these rules more flexible to help young individuals who are affected by computer vision syndrome and other modern visual issues, without compromising physical standards for service.

Q & A

What is the main concern addressed in the transcript?

The main concern addressed is whether individuals who have undergone LASIK or other refractive surgeries can join the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, or Police forces.

Who is eligible to join the armed forces after undergoing LASIK surgery?

Individuals who have undergone LASIK surgery are eligible to join the armed forces if they meet specific conditions, including being at least 20 years old after surgery and having no more than -6 diopters of prescription before the surgery.

What are the key requirements for eligibility after LASIK surgery?

The key requirements are: 1) The individual must be at least 20 years old post-surgery. 2) The pre-surgery prescription should not exceed -6 diopters. 3) The axial length of the eye must not exceed 26 mm for the Army and 25.5 mm for the Navy and Air Force. 4) The corneal thickness should be over 450 microns post-surgery.

What is the significance of axial length in determining eligibility?

Axial length refers to the length of the eye, and it is crucial because the Army, Navy, and Air Force have specific limits on the maximum axial length (26 mm for the Army and 25.5 mm for the Navy and Air Force). If the axial length exceeds these limits, the individual may not be eligible for service.

What happens if the prescription changes slightly after LASIK surgery?

If the prescription changes slightly (within +/-1 diopter) after LASIK surgery, the individual can still be eligible to join the armed forces, as long as they meet the other criteria.

Are individuals who have had ICL surgery eligible for military service?

No, individuals who have had Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery or similar procedures are not eligible to join the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Police forces.

Why are individuals with certain eye conditions like Keratoconus not eligible?

Individuals with conditions like Keratoconus, which leads to a thin and irregular cornea, are not eligible because these conditions pose risks to eye health and can impair vision, making them unsuitable for military service.

What is the government’s objective in relaxing the eligibility criteria for refractive surgeries?

The government aims to increase youth participation in the armed forces, especially in light of the rising number of young individuals suffering from vision problems due to computer use and other modern lifestyle factors.

What is the importance of corneal thickness after LASIK surgery for military eligibility?

The corneal thickness must be greater than 450 microns after LASIK surgery. This is important because a thinner cornea can affect the stability of the eye, and ensuring sufficient thickness is a safeguard against potential vision problems.

Can individuals with a high prescription before LASIK surgery still be eligible for the armed forces?

Individuals who had a very high prescription before LASIK surgery, exceeding -6 diopters, are not eligible for military service under the current criteria.