Crash, I was in a similar situation trying to find out about contact lenses with astigmatism. When I got to UPT they said you could wear contacts flying if you had been wearing them already for a year (which I obviously hadn't since I just found out). Got set up with contacts the week after graduating (about 5 months ago) and now I wear them all the time. I've got the toric lenses and they work pretty well, no complaints so far. I can see an easy 20/20 with them, and can make out the 20/15 line if I work at it.
If I were you I'd just wear glasses while going through UPT though. The contacts take a little while to get used to (especially the toric since they're weighted). So unless you have a lot of time between when you get them and when you start training, it'll just be a distraction from your flying (and you'll have enough of those as it is).
Let me know if you have any questions from someone who's currently wearing the lenses/gone through the process.
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Contact lens info
Started by Guest_jassayag_*, May 15 2004 06:39 PM
83 replies to this topic
#22 Guest_acj7464_*
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Posted 18 November 2005 - 07:51 PM
Here at Columbus they will NOT fit you with an initial issue of contacts until after you have your wings. They say it is too time consuming during your already full training program.
As long as you have been wearing a set of contacts and those contacts allow you to see 20/20 the day of your physical the first week of UPT they will start you on the contact lens program. At least this was my case.
I do have an astigmatism and LOVE my TORIC 55s.
Good Luck
As long as you have been wearing a set of contacts and those contacts allow you to see 20/20 the day of your physical the first week of UPT they will start you on the contact lens program. At least this was my case.
I do have an astigmatism and LOVE my TORIC 55s.
Good Luck
#23
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Crew Dawg
Posted 17 April 2006 - 05:03 PM
Hey all,
I'm finishing up my freshman year of college and AFROTC, and have 20/40 to 20/50 vision in both eyes. While I can see well enough to do normal day to day activities, I hate missing out on some of the finer details of life. The only thing stopping me from wearing contacts is that I heard that if you wear them, they act as a "crutch" for your eyes, so over time your eyes will worsen (more than they would naturally). With my vision being close to the 20/70 limit, I haven't wanted to risk it. Is there any truth to this? Also, if I do get contacts and wear them regularly, will this only complicate things for me when I go for my pilot slot / flight medical? I can go without correction for now if there's any risk to things being more complicated down the road.
Has anyone been that close to the 20/70 limit and still worn contacts and received their pilot slot?
I'll be 20 in September, so I'm hoping that my eyes have somewhat stabilized by now...
Thanks!
[ 17. April 2006, 17:07: Message edited by: FlyAF ]
I'm finishing up my freshman year of college and AFROTC, and have 20/40 to 20/50 vision in both eyes. While I can see well enough to do normal day to day activities, I hate missing out on some of the finer details of life. The only thing stopping me from wearing contacts is that I heard that if you wear them, they act as a "crutch" for your eyes, so over time your eyes will worsen (more than they would naturally). With my vision being close to the 20/70 limit, I haven't wanted to risk it. Is there any truth to this? Also, if I do get contacts and wear them regularly, will this only complicate things for me when I go for my pilot slot / flight medical? I can go without correction for now if there's any risk to things being more complicated down the road.
Has anyone been that close to the 20/70 limit and still worn contacts and received their pilot slot?
I'll be 20 in September, so I'm hoping that my eyes have somewhat stabilized by now...
Thanks!
[ 17. April 2006, 17:07: Message edited by: FlyAF ]
#24 Guest_P27:17_*
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Posted 22 June 2006 - 12:54 PM
You might want to take a look at AFI 48-123, A17.1.3. As I read it, the AF won't pay for your contacts and you can only wear them at UPT if you've been wearing AF approaved SCLs for at least 6 months prior to training. There are many more details in the reference above.
Good luck
Good luck
#25
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Crew Dawg
Posted 26 June 2006 - 10:34 AM
When you get to your UPT base they should ask if anyone wears contacts and if they want to schedule an appointment to get on the program. Took about 5 minutes and the all they did was ask a few questions about how long I had been wearing and what brand. They also covered the special solutions to use and the standard Air Force safety precautions. Pretty painless actually. They key is to be wearing contacts before you get to UPT.
If they don't say anything during your medical inprocessing, stop by the eye doc and ask. They'll be able to hook you up.
If they don't say anything during your medical inprocessing, stop by the eye doc and ask. They'll be able to hook you up.
#26 Guest_Pdiddy_*
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Posted 11 July 2006 - 03:35 PM
CrewDawg,
I just got on the program today at Sheppard. You have to show up to UPT having worn one of the "approved" brands of contacts. Mine are Ciba Vision 02 Optics soft contact lenses. I had my civilian optomitrist fax over a letter to the military eye doctor saying that I have worn them for 6 months with no problems. He still had to check the fit and my overall eye health before he would approve it, but luckily everything looks good...so no geek glasses while flying for me! The one thing is that you HAVE to be able to see 20/20 (no less) with each eye and both eyes together. One dude in my class was 20/15 in right and 20/25 in left but 20/20 together and he didnt pass because of that left eye not being 20/20. Hope that helps.
I just got on the program today at Sheppard. You have to show up to UPT having worn one of the "approved" brands of contacts. Mine are Ciba Vision 02 Optics soft contact lenses. I had my civilian optomitrist fax over a letter to the military eye doctor saying that I have worn them for 6 months with no problems. He still had to check the fit and my overall eye health before he would approve it, but luckily everything looks good...so no geek glasses while flying for me! The one thing is that you HAVE to be able to see 20/20 (no less) with each eye and both eyes together. One dude in my class was 20/15 in right and 20/25 in left but 20/20 together and he didnt pass because of that left eye not being 20/20. Hope that helps.
#27
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Gray Beard
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Posted 19 July 2006 - 07:12 PM
I have searched but to no avail.
Is it standard practice for FTU students to have to pay for their own contacts? My previous understanding was that only UFT students had to pay for their own.
This is why I avoided the program until I left AETC all together. However, after entering the program and wearing them for a month I was informed that they would not pay for my contacts until I have completed IQC.
Has anyone else run into this? Should I raise the BS flag to my flight commander or just return in six months requesting my authorization for funding or whatever it is called.
Is it standard practice for FTU students to have to pay for their own contacts? My previous understanding was that only UFT students had to pay for their own.
This is why I avoided the program until I left AETC all together. However, after entering the program and wearing them for a month I was informed that they would not pay for my contacts until I have completed IQC.
Has anyone else run into this? Should I raise the BS flag to my flight commander or just return in six months requesting my authorization for funding or whatever it is called.
#28
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Flight Lead
Posted 19 July 2006 - 08:10 PM
My squadron is at my FTU base, but the RA had no problem paying for my contacts while in the schoolhouse. He only got me what i needed to fly, not the full set required for deployments and whatnot. I would say throw the bullshit flag if you are at your squadron. If you are attached to some other squadron then it might be different.
#29 Guest_awfltdoc_*
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Posted 30 July 2006 - 10:45 PM
Quote
Originally posted by ktulu34535:
I have searched but to no avail.
Is it standard practice for FTU students to have to pay for their own contacts? My previous understanding was that only UFT students had to pay for their own.
This is why I avoided the program until I left AETC all together. However, after entering the program and wearing them for a month I was informed that they would not pay for my contacts until I have completed IQC.
Has anyone else run into this? Should I raise the BS flag to my flight commander or just return in six months requesting my authorization for funding or whatever it is called.
I have searched but to no avail.
Is it standard practice for FTU students to have to pay for their own contacts? My previous understanding was that only UFT students had to pay for their own.
This is why I avoided the program until I left AETC all together. However, after entering the program and wearing them for a month I was informed that they would not pay for my contacts until I have completed IQC.
Has anyone else run into this? Should I raise the BS flag to my flight commander or just return in six months requesting my authorization for funding or whatever it is called.
A7.1.2.7.Funding is not authorized for Flying Class I.
A7.1.3.2. UFT students authorized to enter the USAF Aircrew SCL Program must buy their own SCL and solutions.
[ 30. July 2006, 22:46: Message edited by: awfltdoc ]
#30 Guest_awfltdoc_*
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Posted 30 July 2006 - 10:53 PM
Oh, yeah its now 48-123v3 Attachment 7 page 85-88 for the Soft Contact Lens Program info if you want to look at it your self at e-pub.
#31
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Flight Lead
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Posted 21 September 2006 - 02:09 PM
I searched already.
I heard that hard contacts (in comparison to soft contacts) slow the rate at which your diopter becomes more negative.
Is there any validity to this?
Thanks,
C-130 Hopeful
[ 21. September 2006, 14:20: Message edited by: C-130 Hopeful ]
I heard that hard contacts (in comparison to soft contacts) slow the rate at which your diopter becomes more negative.
Is there any validity to this?
Thanks,
C-130 Hopeful
[ 21. September 2006, 14:20: Message edited by: C-130 Hopeful ]
"And that was what it was all about, doing something we believed in, doing it perfectly, not worrying about the paper rules or tin medals, and reaping the personal rewards of our convictions."-My Secret War
#32 Guest_P27:17_*
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 08:05 AM
No scientific evidence to validate the claim as far as we know...
AFI 48-123 says:
"A7.1.4.3. Hard Contact Lenses or Rigid Gas Permeable lenses and Combination (hard/soft) lenses
are NOT permitted without medical waiver for any aircrew, military or civilian, on flying status,
on or off duty, including any aircrew who participate as a crewmember in military flights while on
an “inactive” status."
AFI 48-123 says:
"A7.1.4.3. Hard Contact Lenses or Rigid Gas Permeable lenses and Combination (hard/soft) lenses
are NOT permitted without medical waiver for any aircrew, military or civilian, on flying status,
on or off duty, including any aircrew who participate as a crewmember in military flights while on
an “inactive” status."
#33 Guest_doctidy_*
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Posted 26 September 2006 - 06:05 PM
Its effects, if any, are temporary and confined to the shape of the cornea. Refraction is about lens power and eyeball shape.
#34 Guest_pilotsingerole_*
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Posted 09 September 2007 - 05:50 PM
I'm currently awaiting pilot training to beging (I start in Feb), and I have been told I need to wear glasses during training. I'd love to wear contacts, but was under the impression that I'd need to have already worn contacts for a minimum of 6 months before training for it to be allowed. However, an upperclassmen who is currently in training just told me that the policy has changed and that now it is only a month wait. Is there any truth to this? I'd like to have as much info about what I'd need to do before I go into the med clinic and make an appointment.
Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated!
#35 Guest_awfltdoc_*
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Posted 11 September 2007 - 07:36 AM
pilotsingerole, on Sep 9 2007, 10:50 PM, said:
I'm currently awaiting pilot training to beging (I start in Feb), and I have been told I need to wear glasses during training. I'd love to wear contacts, but was under the impression that I'd need to have already worn contacts for a minimum of 6 months before training for it to be allowed. However, an upperclassmen who is currently in training just told me that the policy has changed and that now it is only a month wait. Is there any truth to this? I'd like to have as much info about what I'd need to do before I go into the med clinic and make an appointment.
Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated!
I just left Laughlin in June 07, the policy at that time was 6 months of wear and using the approved solutions before starting pilot training. I also searched for any policy changes and found none to suggest the time or wear before starting training had changed.
If you really want to wear contacts in UPT, I'd get in to the optometrist asap. Be sure you get the "approved" lenses and solutions. Be sure to tell the optometrist (if you are seen in a USAF clinic) you will be starting UPT in Feb.
Take your glasses and your contact lenses/solutions with you when you get your flying class II physical (entry into pilot training physical) at your UPT base. If you have been using the lenses for 5 months prior, I'd personally let you fly, (you'll have a month of academics before actually strapping on a jet).
Just don't wait until a month before UPT to start wearing them (contacts), you'll get a nice pair of BCGs to wear if you do.
#36 Guest_NoleMet_*
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Posted 12 September 2007 - 08:46 PM
Another question, I have been wearing contacts for the last five or six years, and they are the same brand/type as on the 'approved' list... do I still have to wait the six months, or can I show documentation from my civilian eye doc that I have been wearing these things for years?
#37 Guest_awfltdoc_*
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Posted 13 September 2007 - 05:19 PM
NoleMet, on Sep 13 2007, 01:46 AM, said:
Another question, I have been wearing contacts for the last five or six years, and they are the same brand/type as on the 'approved' list... do I still have to wait the six months, or can I show documentation from my civilian eye doc that I have been wearing these things for years?
All you got to do is bring some documentation from your civilian eye doc to show you've been using the lenses for more than six months and you should not have any problems. Just bring the documentation with you to the flight med clinic at your UPT base when you get there. They will likely brief you on the soft contact lens program and get you enrolled in that program. Once this happens, you'll be allowed to wear the lenses while flying.
#38
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Crew Dawg
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Posted 16 September 2007 - 09:14 AM
Is there anyway to get around the 6 month wait. The contacts that I got are supposed to be able to stay in your eyes for one month without taking them out. They are high oxygen lenses made by Bausch & Lomb "purevision". I really do not want to wear glasses under my helmet and I am methodical about cleaning them. I usually do take them out of my eyes everynight anyways.
Thanks for the advice, I have my UPT physical here at Vance in a week or so.
Thanks for the advice, I have my UPT physical here at Vance in a week or so.
Rainman A-10: If you don't fly choppers you're just a damn ######. Period.
#39 Guest_awfltdoc_*
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Posted 16 September 2007 - 10:31 AM
Redneck, on Sep 16 2007, 02:14 PM, said:
Is there anyway to get around the 6 month wait. The contacts that I got are supposed to be able to stay in your eyes for one month without taking them out. They are high oxygen lenses made by Bausch & Lomb "purevision". I really do not want to wear glasses under my helmet and I am methodical about cleaning them. I usually do take them out of my eyes everynight anyways.
Thanks for the advice, I have my UPT physical here at Vance in a week or so.
Thanks for the advice, I have my UPT physical here at Vance in a week or so.
I don't understand. The deal is you have to have been wearing the approved contacts six months prior to the start of UPT to be able to wear them during UPT. For example, if a student came in and told me they started wearing the approved contacts one month prior to the start of UPT, then they were not enrolled in the soft contact lens program and they flew with glasses.
#40
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SNAP
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Posted 13 October 2007 - 03:29 PM
Does anyone know where to get the details on the contact lens program? I just finished up UPT at Corpus and am awaiting my training date to Little Rock. I would like to get in on the program as soon as I can, but I haven't been able to find the regs that detail the program.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I can't believe they pay me to do this...
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