hi

im hoping to go to sandhurst next september , still got to do rcb ect

the question is im slightly short sighted, but well within limits to pass medical in terms of correctability but i really dont want to wear glasses at sandhurst.

is laser eye surgery a bar to entry? if not how do i find out which types are allowed?

cheers

Yes, Laser Eye Surgery IS a bar to entering. However once in, and I mean the real army not Sandbags, you could easily have it done. You will be very closely questioned, medically, upon entering Sandbags and that is just the sort of thing that could cause you problems. My advice is to wait until you are settled on the road down your military career. I know at least 3 SERVING personnel who have had it done, but after they were in.

Originally Posted by Lord_Wentworth

Yes, Laser Eye Surgery IS a bar to entering. .

BULLSH1T.

Lord Wendy,I am living proof you are forming opinions without knowedge of the facts. C0CK.

However, MATT, I would suggest you join the Army first, or discuss with your MO. It will delay your entry by up to one year b4 you join, as you will be referred to a Specialist, either serving or ex-RAMC/RN/RAF.

I dont think you will have time to have it done while at RMAS... nor should you, as you can be discharged very easily until the point when you are trained. If you present an administrative burden to some not very bright Colour Sgt, you may well find yourself backtrooped or worse.

Also. think hard, as this is not something to undertake solely for career reasons. If you want it that badly(£2000plus for a decent job..I recommend Ultralase, do not touch Optimax with a bargepole), get it done anyway, but be aware of the risks to your career if it goes wrong.

lasek AND lasik ARE ACCEPTABLE. old style scalpel incisions as practiced by the Russians...are NOT! I also suggest you have the procedure carried out by someone who is an Opthalmic specialist, who still treats other eye conditions and is not solely a cosmetic type surgeon. You should also look for someone who has performed at least 1000 CORRECTIONS. My Dr had over 11000. Let someone else be the guinea pig!

edited due to double post

Dudes

I am currently serving and currently squinting 'cos I had surgery with Ultralase 4 days ago ( I had Wavefront guided LASEK at a cost of £3000 but I am paying over 3 years interest free so £83 a month).

Firstly - policy

Having Laser eye surgery is not a bar to entry but you can not join up for a year after having it done.
The Army prefers you to have LASEK as the corneal flap is shallower and reduces risks in the case of blows to your head.
You can have surgery in the army but you have to pay yourself and declare it to the Docs and you will be downgraded for a year afterwards but it shouldn't make you undeployable during that time.

Secondly a useful pointer - go to Ultralase or anyone else that does Wavefront - the USAF have authorised their pilots to have wavefront surgery. Believe me if a country as litigious as America and an organisation as risk averse as their Air Force say it's good then it's good.

If you can spare the time before joining RMAS then by all means consider it but being a speccy leper is not a bar to entry but wearing specs is a pain in the arse during the commissioning course. I broke two pairs at Sandhurst and once got three days restrictions of Priviledges for having rain on my glasses during a show parade (it was rainingat the time) from a knob of a Cavalryman.

Some bonuses of being a speccy at RMAS include - that some of the desperatly chippy but arrogant infantry units may not head hunt you 'cos you don't meet their exacting physical standards - that some of the desperatly chippy but arrogant female officer cadets may not head hunt you as you don't meet their exacting physical standards

Can't say about your original question, but if you have it done you cannot work for the railway as a driver or safety critical staff

Hi I'm off to Sandhurst in May and I have terrible eye-sight - literally just good enough to pass the standards - I wear 30 day continuous wear lenses and I never wear glasses. I can't stand wearing glasses as they annoy the hell out of my nose! Will I be able to wear contacts? If I pack a spare pair (of glasses and contacts) with me when we go out on exercise will that be ok?

Originally Posted by olddearhunter

I recommend Ultralase, do not touch Optimax with a bargepole

Can you give your reasons please?

The reason I ask is I've found Optimax sell spare capacity on Ebay for much less than the full price. Optimax on Ebay

I know Ebay sounds like a dodgy place to buy eye surgery but with a feedback rating of 595 @ 99.3% positive, there has to be something in it.

I found this through Martin Lewis Site *

* Note this is a financial recommendation, not a medical one

Originally Posted by Toe-Mass

Hi I'm off to Sandhurst in May and I have terrible eye-sight - literally just good enough to pass the standards - I wear 30 day continuous wear lenses and I never wear glasses. I can't stand wearing glasses as they annoy the hell out of my nose! Will I be able to wear contacts? If I pack a spare pair (of glasses and contacts) with me when we go out on exercise will that be ok?

I've worn contacts since shortly after starting basic training and the only problem I've had is when taking them out to clean them with fingers that are less than clean! (Difficult under the conditions). If yours last a month you should be ok, just make sure you time it right.

I'd definately keep the spare pair and glasses handy just in case, contacts can fall out in the heat of err, battle, if your eyesight is poor it could make life difficult

Originally Posted by Toe-Mass

Hi I'm off to Sandhurst in May and I have terrible eye-sight - literally just good enough to pass the standards - I wear 30 day continuous wear lenses and I never wear glasses. I can't stand wearing glasses as they annoy the hell out of my nose! Will I be able to wear contacts? If I pack a spare pair (of glasses and contacts) with me when we go out on exercise will that be ok?

The official Sandhurst line is that you are not meant to wear contacts in the field, and that you should wear the issue glasses.

Having said that, i also wear the 30 day continuous wear lenses and have worn them on every ex without any dramas. The only time i dont wear them is for NBC training (this isnt really a problem though as your respirator has lenses fitted).

Pack glasses and a contact lense case in your Bergen with some saline soloution as a back up though.