People who wish to serve the nation must undergo the Combined Defense Services (CDS) examination. Besides a written test and an interview, aspirants also need to consider their physical attributes. Mostly, both aspirants and officers are concerned about their eye health, particularly those who have undergone Contoura LASIK treatment. The main question is if this surgery makes them ineligible.
The short answer is that it depends—LASIK might be permitted if certain criteria are fulfilled. Let’s expand on the discussion below!
Usually, before opting for any sort of surgery, you need to check the basic rules of each branch of the military.
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force allows only one kind of vision modification surgery for its pilots and that is photorefractive keratectomy(PRK).
Eyesight must be 6/6 with or without glasses in both eyes to become a pilot. If the applicant has undergone the Epi-Contoura lasik laser procedure which is an advanced version of PRK, their application is most likely to be accepted. The applicant is also going to be accepted if the laser procedure has happened more than five years before the application date and the applicant’s present vision is still 6/6.
Indian Army
While serving, Contoura LASIK is allowed by the Indian Army. If you wish to undergo vision correction surgery while in the Army, it has to be performed by a board-certified ophthalmologist. An important restriction is that you must be active for at least 2 years in the Army for LASIK eligibility. If you’re applying post-surgery, ensure you have the correct documentation and that your vision is 6/6.
Indian Navy
According to current policy, any sailor who wishes to undergo Contoura LASIK must have a minimum of 6/60 vision in both eyes. Additionally, the applicant must be below 40 years of age and should have completed 3 years of service. You will also need the following documents:
1) A detailed report with visual acuity test results, keratometry readings and refraction from a board-certified ophthalmologist.
2) No objection certificate from your commanding officer.
3) Medical records for the past 5 years.
4) Recommendation from the ophthalmology department head of the closest military or command hospital.
The answer to the question posed is not straightforward. Contoura LASIK is allowed in the Indian military but it all depends on the applicant’s suitability and the green light from your commanding officer. Follow post-operative instructions closely for a successful outcome!
For more information, you can read this official release or visit Laxmi Netralaya!