Vision

[Enfield]

Got a few questions on vision;
First, the British Army will not take someone who has had laser eye surgery - why? I've heard it's because it reduces night vision, is that true?
Second, do the Paras take soldiers with glasses?
Third, How strict are the Brit Forces regarding colour blindness? I'm colour deficient (like a lot of males are, not enough to really notice it in day-to day life, but enough to fail most of those colour-dot books). I sent my eye-info to the Royal Marines, and they okayed my vision, but had weren't sure about my level of colour deficiency.
Would glasses or even a small amount of colour deficiency rule out special forces?

Thanks!
Enfield

[WS-G]

Enfield:

I'm not certain of the allowable limits of vision deficiencies (e.g.: refraction --- basically this means how strong a prescription you wear to see normally, uncorrected visual acuity, color perception), however I have personally worked with a number of UK SF soldiers (specifically: 21.SAS) who required corrective lenses. Extended-wear contact lenses seemed to be the prefered form of correction, though I've seen a small number wearing glasses. The form of correction used appears to be a matter of the individual soldier's preference, however I should reiterate that the number prefering to wear spectacles is very miniscule indeed.

One NCO from 21.SAS Training Wing commented to me that there were quite a few soldiers in the Regiment "who should wear glasses, but won't". For that matter, glasses also won't keep you out of the Paras.

With regard to color perception, that may be a different matter; it's best if you contact a representative of a unit you wish to join directly. At the very least, you should be able to distinguish the differences between the colors on a military map. Though black, brown, green, red and blue are the five NATO standard map colors, your UK Ordnance Survey (OS) maps seem to be printed so that red is darker than brown/green, brown darker than green, and blue lightest of all. In theory, even a red-green deficient should be able to tell the difference. I'm afraid I can't vouch for this last item from experience, as I have normal color vision (zero errors on all tests used) --- to be even handed about it, I'll admit that I am nearsighted enough that I have to wear glasses all the time!

Also, you are quite right about refractive surgery; there are documented cases (many, in fact!) of "streak" and "flash" effects at night, especially with RK. Also, your best corrected visual acuity after surgery may not be as good as what you have with glasses or contact lenses before surgery. In addition, keep in mind that nothing lasts forever, including RK/LASIK/PRK.

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ex Co. G (-)(Abn/Rgr), 143d INF(LRRP), TXARNG 1981-1985
ex 433MAW (AFRES), 1985-1991
FAA-certificated pilot and Advanced Ground Instructor

[This message has been edited by William M Salter (edited 04-30-2000).]