Hey fellas,
My step-son is currently studying at a local community college and he’s planning to transfer to Cal Maritime. He’s a glaucoma “suspect” and he’s wondering if his condition will disqualify him getting a license. He’s not taking any prescription and the ophthalmologist currently observes him every year. Any input would be great thanks!
[QUOTE=Eterrible3;151982]Hey fellas,
My step-son is currently studying at a local community college and he’s planning to transfer to Cal Maritime. He’s a glaucoma “suspect” and he’s wondering if his condition will disqualify him getting a license. He’s not taking any prescription and the ophthalmologist currently observes him every year. Any input would be great thanks![/QUOTE]
As long as he can pass color vision test and vision is correctable to near 20/20, shouldn’t be a problem. USCG physical is only color vision, distance and near vision, covering one eye at a time, etc. No opthalmologist type eye exam / measurements.
BUT any employer can conduct stricter physical examinations if they prefer. Any license, any rating, no matter the level or dept., is worthless if the applicant can’t pass the employer’s medical screening process.
Having a fighter pilot’s eagle vision won’t matter if the tech examining your kid’s (generic example) MRI evidence of old scar tissue from a football/hockey/basketball/skiing/soccer injury doesn’t like what he sees.
[QUOTE=Johnny Canal;152099]As long as he can pass color vision test and vision is correctable to near 20/20, shouldn’t be a problem. USCG physical is only color vision, distance and near vision, covering one eye at a time, etc. No opthalmologist type eye exam / measurements. [/QUOTE]
That’s not accurate. See page 7 of Enclosure (3) to NVIC 04-08:
Waivers may be granted if visual field loss is minimal and IOP is controlled at normal levels
without miotic drugs. Miotic drugs are incompatible with night operations due to the inability of
the pupil to dilate to admit sufficient light. Ophthalmology consultation is required anytime there
is one or more documented IOPs > or equal to 22 mmHg; there is an IOP difference between the
eyes of 4 mmHg or greater; there is a optic nerve cup-to-disc ratio > 0.5 or an asymmetrical cup-
to-disc ratio between the eyes with a difference of > 0.2; or a visual field deficit is suspected; and
when there is a recent change of visual acuity, ocular trauma, uveitis, or iritis. Optometrist or
ophthalmologist should confirm the IOP with applanation tonometry. Opththalmology IOPs
should be documented from a Goldman’s applanation tonometer, not from a non-contact
tonometer “puff test” or Tono-pen, and should be obtained in the AM and PM for two days.
Consultation reports should include dilated fundus examination, legible drawings of bilateral optic
discs noting mathematical estimates of the cup-to-disc ratio, and optic disc, report of slit lamp
examination, visual field test battery, and gonioscopy. If a low IOP of 7 mm Hg or less is
confirmed by Goldman applanation tonometry an ophthalmology consultation should be obtained.
FOLLOW-UP: Mariners with proven glaucoma should be evaluated quarterly at least for the first
year of treatment unless the consultant ophthalmologist specifies less frequent. If the mariner is
determined to have elevated IOP with suspected glaucomatous changes, he or she should
be measured and evaluated every 6 months by an ophthalmologist or optometrist for those mariners
labeled with ocular hypertension or glaucoma suspect. If the mariner has elevated IOP without
any suspected glaucomatous changes, opthalmological evaluation should be conducted annually.
[I]Note that this part of the NVIC is written by and for medical professionals.[/I]