Macular Pucker in eye

[Guest Call Sign-Vicious]

I am 18 years old and have just enlisted into the Air National Guard and hope to get a UPT slot through my unit, the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno but I believe I have whats called a macular pucker in my right eye, Ive been doing research and its basically the result of an old injury or surgery that has healed on the macular of the eye which can reduce the level of eyesight in that eye. Im not near sighted or far sighted, my left eye is 20/20 and so was my right eye until the injury, now its about 20/60 or so in my right eye. Glasses did only a little bit to improve the vision down to about 20/40 or possibly lower. Do i have a shot at becoming a fighter pilot with scarred tissue on the macular of my right eye? Is there a waiver for such an issue, or should i quit my endeavors....

Edited June 17, 2009 by Call Sign-Vicious

[Guest goducks]

I am 18 years old and have just enlisted into the Air National Guard and hope to get a UPT slot through my unit, the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno but I believe I have whats called a macular pucker in my right eye, Ive been doing research and its basically the result of an old injury or surgery that has healed on the macular of the eye which can reduce the level of eyesight in that eye. Im not near sighted or far sighted, my left eye is 20/20 and so was my right eye until the injury, now its about 20/60 or so in my right eye. Glasses did only a little bit to improve the vision down to about 20/40 or possibly lower. Do i have a shot at becoming a fighter pilot with scarred tissue on the macular of my right eye? Is there a waiver for such an issue, or should i quit my endeavors....

Vicious,

If the best corrected acuity in the right eye is reduced (whether it is 20/40, 20/30, 20/60 doesn't matter), there is no chance that you will receive a waiver for UPT. You may want to speak to a retinal specialist regarding any possible treatments for the macular pucker. Sometimes a layer of scar tissue forms just in front of the retina (referred to as pre-retinal scarring) and can be peeled away, which could allow the macula to flatten and improve the visual acuity. However, any type of surgery carries non-trivial risk and may not be in your best interest.

I wish I could give you better news.

GD

[Guest Call Sign-Vicious]

Hey Thanks godDucks for the info regarding the macular pucker. Like i said Im only 18 and i wanna know early on if i should dedicate the next 6 years of my life in trying to become a Fighter Pilot. Maybe the scarring will deteriorate in the next few years to help my vision improve some and hopefully glasses will bring my correction down to 20/20. but I have looked into surgery to remove the pucker and it does seem like a huge risk, but the payoffs are all the same if it succeeds. Do you think the Air Force offers that type of surgery or is it only Lasik that they offer, and do you think there is even a slight chance for a waiver if i can correct it to 20/20 and improve my depth perception??? Im not prone to giving up, but i am a realist and i like to know my chances on things...

Thanx Again

Edited June 18, 2009 by Call Sign-Vicious

[Guest goducks]

Hey Thanks godDucks for the info regarding the macular pucker. Like i said Im only 18 and i wanna know early on if i should dedicate the next 6 years of my life in trying to become a Fighter Pilot. Maybe the scarring will deteriorate in the next few years to help my vision improve some and hopefully glasses will bring my correction down to 20/20. but I have looked into surgery to remove the pucker and it does seem like a huge risk, but the payoffs are all the same if it succeeds. Do you think the Air Force offers that type of surgery or is it only Lasik that they offer, and do you think there is even a slight chance for a waiver if i can correct it to 20/20 and improve my depth perception??? Im not prone to giving up, but i am a realist and i like to know my chances on things...

Thanx Again

I'm not sure if I understand the first part of your question. If you are active duty, theoretically any type of surgery may be offered by the AF if you find a doc who is willing to do it. If you are referring to whether the AF would approve a waiver for retinal surgery (at your expense) for someone who is applying to UPT, that's a tough question to answer as I can't think of a single occassion when it has happened. Unfortunately, your situation is extremely unusual and I doubt there is a precedence.

My personal feeling is that if you were able to get surgery, have normal visual acuity, normal depth perception, a normally appearing retina (ie. not prone to future problems), then there is a chance you might be waiverable, but I don't think anyone can really give you a good answer as you are working on the extreme part of the envelope.

Have you talked to a retinal surgeon and have they given you any indication whether an operation is advisable? Be warned, as it sounds like you have, that it's very risky.

GD

[Guest Call Sign-Vicious]

I'm not sure if I understand the first part of your question. If you are active duty, theoretically any type of surgery may be offered by the AF if you find a doc who is willing to do it. If you are referring to whether the AF would approve a waiver for retinal surgery (at your expense) for someone who is applying to UPT, that's a tough question to answer as I can't think of a single occassion when it has happened. Unfortunately, your situation is extremely unusual and I doubt there is a precedence.

My personal feeling is that if you were able to get surgery, have normal visual acuity, normal depth perception, a normally appearing retina (ie. not prone to future problems), then there is a chance you might be waiverable, but I don't think anyone can really give you a good answer as you are working on the extreme part of the envelope.

Have you talked to a retinal surgeon and have they given you any indication whether an operation is advisable? Be warned, as it sounds like you have, that it's very risky.

GD

Thanx again GD, I understand what you are saying. I would have to bring my visual acuity back down to 20/20, have natural or at least waiverable depth perception, and have reduced scarring in my right eye to where it would not be worrisome. If I were to pull that off, I would be one of the few people to pull off taking a UPT slot with such extreme circumstances that very rarely pop up. And thats exactly what i am hoping to achieve. There has to be something i can do to make it there visually. Ive read stories of guys who were legally blind getting into the air fore and flying fighter jets after receiving Lasik surgery, and thats not even guaranteed to last. I have to find some way, Ive never wanted anything more than i wanted this. To be a fighter pilot, not just a pilot, but a FIGHTER pilot. I come from a long line of warriors, even in the civil war. And I am gonna be the first in my family to become such an esteemed warrior like a fighter pilot. I am going to find a way around this issue an come out on top. And thanx for the info and knowledge your providing me GD,

Its people like you who are gonna help me reach m goal, and please continue with your support and mentorship, it is greatly appreciated. Im 18 and I have time for the scarring to deteriorate or fade away, maybe my vision will return to normal, but If not, I will find a way around it.

Vicious

[Guest Call Sign-Vicious]

Well good news, I believe I have found a waiver for my scarred tissue in my eye, I checked the medical waiver list and found out that as long as it looks like it wont worsen im in good standing.