Topic: LASER (EYE) REFRACTIVE SURGERY IN CF AIRCREW

[Beadwindow 7]

Great news, and I love the Highlighted bit:

CANFORGEN 069/08 CAS 014 081205Z APR 08
LASER (EYE) REFRACTIVE SURGERY IN CF AIRCREW
UNCLASSIFIED


REFS: A. 6600-1 (CAS) 20 MAR 08
http://HTTP://VCDS.MIL.CA//CAS/DMCS2005/FILES0/DMCS-17864.PDF
B. 1150-1 (SSO AV MED) 22 OCT 07
C. RODS 1150-1 (CAS MED ADV) OCT 07
D. AMA DIRECTIVE 400-02 LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY FOR CF AIRCREW
http://HTTP://WINNIPEG.MIL.CA/1CDNAIRDIVSURG/FLTSURG/GUIDELINES.HTM
E. FSG 400-01 VISUAL STANDARDS FOR CF AIRCREW
F. A-GA-005-000/AG-001 CHAP 7 - MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR CF AIRCREW



THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO COMMUNICATE RECENT CHANGES MADE TO CF POLICY ON LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY IN AIRCREW


IN THE PAST, PILOT APPLICANTS WHO HAD UNDERGONE CORRECTIVE LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ENTRY INTO AIRCREW OCCUPATIONS. SERVING PILOTS WERE ALSO DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERGO LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY TO CORRECT FOR REFRACTIVE ERRORS


AT REF A, CAS ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE AEROMEDICAL POLICY AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE (REF B) TO APPROVE LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY FOR CF AIRCREW INCLUDING PILOTS. THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE FOLLOWING THE CF REFRACTIVE SURGERY SYMPOSIUM (REF C) AND ARE CAPTURED IN THE AEROSPACE MEDICINE AUTHORITY DIRECTIVE 400-02 LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY FOR CF AIRCREW (REF D)


REFER TO REF A OR REF D FOR THE FULL LIST OF APPROVED/NON-APPROVED PROCEDURES


IN ALL CASES, APPLICANTS AND SERVING MEMBERS MUST STILL MEET THE VISION STANDARDS DETAILED AT REFS E AND F


AS THE CF DOES NOT YET INCLUDE LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY IN ITS SPECTRUM OF CARE, BOTH THE DECISION TO UNDERTAKE SUCH SURGERY AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CF MEMBER. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER THAT WRITTEN CHAIN OF COMMAND APPROVAL IS STILL REQUIRED BY SERVING MEMBERS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY. FOR DETAILS CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY AND STANDARDS, INDIVIDUALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT EITHER THEIR LOCAL RECRUITING CENTRE OR THEIR LOCAL FLIGHT SURGEON.


FUNDING: A CF FUNDING POLICY FOR LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT. UNTIL THIS POLICY IS PROMULGATED, EXPENSES FOR THESE PROCEDURES MUST BE BORNE BY THE CF MEMBER

[PuckChaser]

I think my dream of flying is somewhat nearer!!! I think I'll wait a little while after my surgery on Wednesday to CT though. 

Great news though, especially since the USAF and USN pilots are allowed to get it done.

Anyone with DWAN access that can let me know whether they are specific on what type of surgery you can get (PRK or LASIK) in REF A??? One thing about being on postdeployment leave, no cool DWAN access!!

[MedTech32]

Yes it is true about the laser eye surgery, but there are restrictions on which surgery you can have and there is a wait period as well.  For anyone serving or wanting to enlist, who wants to be a pilot and has been waiting for this.  Please call your local Med Section, or the Recruiting centre. BEFORE doing anything, or spending thousands of dollars.

We will be more than happy to discuss the new regulations with you.

Just wanted to get this out there

Your Friendly Neighborhood Med Tech

[Urban]

I'm not able to verify this information, but this is what I found regarding the types of surgery accepted.

http://www.cadet-world.com/cwforums/showthread.php?p=775034

"6. Acceptable refractive surgery procedures for serving CF pilots are as follows: Wavefront Guided (WFG) Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), WFG surface ablation procedures such as LASEK and Epi-LASIK and WFG Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) using a femtosecond keratome.
7. Conventional (non WFG) refractive surgery and LASIK using a mechanical keratome are not recommended for pilots but may be acceptable for non-pilot aircrew."

[CDN Aviator]

Note the key words in your quote........

"6. Acceptable refractive surgery procedures for serving CF pilots are as follows:

[MedTech32]

Note the key words in your quote........

"6. Acceptable refractive surgery for serviing CF pilots are as follows:

Gotta love it when only half the info is being circulated.  It is the same standard for pilot applicants.  Gotta read the whole CANFORGEN carefully, it's in there.

I'm not able to verify this information, but this is what I found regarding the types of surgery accepted.

http://www.cadet-world.com/cwforums/showthread.php?p=775034

"6. Acceptable refractive surgery procedures for serving CF pilots are as follows: Wavefront Guided (WFG) Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), WFG surface ablation procedures such as LASEK and Epi-LASIK and WFG Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) using a femtosecond keratome.
7. Conventional (non WFG) refractive surgery and LASIK using a mechanical keratome are not recommended for pilots but may be acceptable for non-pilot aircrew."

Consider the information verified, for the most part ( i'm at home and don't the the Regulations with me).  But as I said above please do not do anything ref laser eye surgery  until you have contacted your local recruiting center and spoken with them and the MED STAFF.  ( I think I'm starting to sound like a broken record, nor more posting on this subject for me, before I get a headache)

[milnews.ca]

Reviving necropost to share latest (MODS:  pls let me know if this is better as a stand-alone) - it appears the CF is taking the first steps toward setting up its own surgery program:
http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,81725.msg786998.html#msg786998

[old medic]

It's no problem at all milnews.ca.
Better to have these updated, rather than old information all over that turns up in searches.

[LogONick]

I was originally classified as a V4, and went ahead with Wave Front Lasik...now 7 weeks after the surgery, I have 20/15 vision, and mild halos around bright lights at night (which is fading).  My optometrist has signed off on the stability of my eyes and I have submitted my form to have my vision re-evaluated for my recruitment into AEC.
What is the process for this? As one PA told me that it could take 4 to 5 days, but then an PA assistant told me it will take 3-4 weeks. 
Thanks very much!

[old medic]

As with anything that has to be sent away, plan for worst case scenario.   
The file and the new information will be sent off for approval. Beyond that, hard to say on the time.
Are they sitting there just waiting to read the next file, or are they already off on Christmas vacation?
Impossible for us to say.

[LogONick]

As with anything that has to be sent away, plan for worst case scenario.   
The file and the new information will be sent off for approval. Beyond that, hard to say on the time.
Are they sitting there just waiting to read the next file, or are they already off on Christmas vacation?
Impossible for us to say.

Thanks very much!  That is what I am expecting to happen, oh well, April BMOQ here I come
Cheers!

[Klinkaroo]

In a post before you said that you were able to send in your paperwork after 7 weeks. Can someone please give me a semi-formal answer, because I heard anything between 3-6 months before I can even get the form sent in. If I understand from you, once the optometrist says I'm stable and good to go I can get the form signed, sent and my med cat changed in a between 5 days and month long waiting period...

BTW Faster I get that done, faster I can get my CT to AES OP moving so I really would like to know what is the fastest I can get this stuff done at.

[LogONick]

In a post before you said that you were able to send in your paperwork after 7 weeks. Can someone please give me a semi-formal answer, because I heard anything between 3-6 months before I can even get the form sent in. If I understand from you, once the optometrist says I'm stable and good to go I can get the form signed, sent and my med cat changed in a between 5 days and month long waiting period...

BTW Faster I get that done, faster I can get my CT to AES OP moving so I really would like to know what is the fastest I can get this stuff done at.

Well, unfortunately the original information that was given to me was not for Air Crew Status.  The waiting period after laser eye surgery for Aircrew is 6 months, and Medical will not even consider it sooner.
Originally I was under the assumption that I could have my vision re-evaluated within 3 months, and it can be done just not for Aircrew, if your doctor signs off on your eyes.  I went through the whole process only to have Medical turn it down stating that not enough time had passed.