Hi everyone,
I've been in touch with a Navy Reserve recruiter, submitted my application and passed the FORCES evaluation without issue. I mentioned to him that I had one fainting episode a number of years ago (see a previous thread I put on the board) and he said it wouldn't be a big deal because it's not a recurring issue. Overall, I'm in okay health.
However, I went to a new optometrist to get an updated prescription for my glasses, and while doing a full evaluation for new patients, he noted that I had keratoconus in my right eye. It's not a severe case of the disease (which it why it was previously mistake for a "regular" astigmatism), but since then I've gone to an ophthalmologist at a laser eye centre who suggested I get collagen cross-linking surgery right away to prevent this from getting worse.
As of right now, my vision isn't horrible (-2.25 Sphere, -1.00 Cylinder, 099 Axis Right/-2.75 Sphere, -0.50 Cylinder, 180 Axis Left), and this surgery should prevent it from getting worse.
I spoke to the recruiter about it, and he said I might still have a shot at getting in with V4 vision (which matches the trade I'm looking for, anyways), but he hasn't encountered anyone who had this disease beforehand. I will have to wait 6 months after the surgery to see if the vision has stabilized before I can even take the medical evaluation, but I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with this disease and the impact on recruitment.
A lot of other militaries automatically disqualify anybody with this kind of disease from joining, but other than for the Air Force, the Canadian Forces does not appear to specifically address this.
The collagen cross-linking surgery is approved for existing members who already have the disease (see "http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/caf-community-health-services-benefits-drug-coverage/comprehensive-medical-care.page#corneal-crosslinking"), but there is no mention of the impact on recruits.
Does anyone here have experience with this? I already reached out to one board member who also had keratoconus, and he was let in. However, he did not require the surgery, so I don't know if this will prevent me from joining.
Thanks!