My son was recently disqualified for suspected keratoconus in one eye. I sought a 2nd opinion and that my doctor did confirm the eye disease. Trying to figure out our options at this point. He is a candidate for the cross-linking procedure but I don’t want the surgery to be an automatic disqualification. Does anyone know if waivers have been provided in the past for keratoconus and if cross-linking procedure was required for approval? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
His vision is currently 20/15 in right eye and 20/25 in left eye (with KC)
My son was recently disqualified for suspected keratoconus in one eye. I sought a 2nd opinion and that my doctor did confirm the eye disease. Trying to figure out our options at this point. He is a candidate for the cross-linking procedure but I don’t want the surgery to be an automatic disqualification. Does anyone know if waivers have been provided in the past for keratoconus and if cross-linking procedure was required for approval? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
His vision is currently 20/15 in right eye and 20/25 in left eye (with KC)
wow, I had never heard of that, so I looked it up. I'm sorry that your son was diagnosed but it sounds like you caught it before it was causing him issues and it's possible it can be corrected before he has to have more invasive surgery later on. So that is probably a blessing in disguise.
Have you contacted the USMA and asked to speak to their medical professionals? I am guessing with a rare diagnosis like that their decision will be very case specific. Good luck with whatever treatment plan you go with and best wishes for a quick and complete healing! (and also lots of best wishes with the waiver route!)
wow, I had never heard of that, so I looked it up. I'm sorry that your son was diagnosed but it sounds like you caught it before it was causing him issues and it's possible it can be corrected before he has to have more invasive surgery later on. So that is probably a blessing in disguise.
Have you contacted the USMA and asked to speak to their medical professionals? I am guessing with a rare diagnosis like that their decision will be very case specific. Good luck with whatever treatment plan you go with and best wishes for a quick and complete healing! (and also lots of best wishes with the waiver route!)
Thank you for your reply! I have not spoken to USMA medical professionals - didn’t know that was an option. I will definitely reach out to them tomorrow. Do I just go through our contact at West Point?
First, I will say that I am sorry to hear of your son’s eye issues but am glad that it was discovered early. The specific condition is considered an automatic disqualification by DODMERB, as you probably know. My son required, and received a waiver for a medical issue last year from USMA, USNA, and NROTC (non-vision related.) I will pass along what I was told. The main considerations for if a condition is waiverable are: is the condition still present (like a food allergy or past injury that may have been present earlier but resolved)? if the condition is still present is it progressive? Would the condition hinder the ability to train or interfere with military duties later?
Many conditions are waiverable but some are not. The best advice I can give is to see if admissions (RC at USMA) requests a waiver for your son. If they do request a waiver you will know that there is a chance of a waiver. Normally ANY recent surgeries can disqualify you from service until DODMERB has a chance (or the academies) to evaluate the surgical effectiveness and long-term prognosis. If the condition is one that might be wavered if surgically repaired you might be able to speak with a physician at Keller Hospital (USMA medical facility) and find out how long after surgery your son would need to wait before qualifying for a waiver (if waiverable after repair.) You can also search these SAF threads. There have been others with the same condition and you can track there comments. Good luck and thanks to your son for his willingness to serve. His vision is the ultimate concern.
First, I will say that I am sorry to hear of your son’s eye issues but am glad that it was discovered early. The specific condition is considered an automatic disqualification by DODMERB, as you probably know. My son required, and received a waiver for a medical issue last year from USMA, USNA, and NROTC (non-vision related.) I will pass along what I was told. The main considerations for if a condition is waiverable are: is the condition still present (like a food allergy or past injury that may have been present earlier but resolved)? if the condition is still present is it progressive? Would the condition hinder the ability to train or interfere with military duties later?
Many conditions are waiverable but some are not. The best advice I can give is to see if admissions (RC at USMA) requests a waiver for your son. If they do request a waiver you will know that there is a chance of a waiver. Normally ANY recent surgeries can disqualify you from service until DODMERB has a chance (or the academies) to evaluate the surgical effectiveness and long-term prognosis. If the condition is one that might be wavered if surgically repaired you might be able to speak with a physician at Keller Hospital (USMA medical facility) and find out how long after surgery your son would need to wait before qualifying for a waiver (if waiverable after repair.) You can also search these SAF threads. There have been others with the same condition and you can track there comments. Good luck and thanks to your son for his willingness to serve. His vision is the ultimate concern.
Thank you for the advice! USMA has requested a waiver on his behalf so at least that means there’s a chance. I’m not sure how willing a physician at Keller Hospital would be to speak with me, but I am willing to exhaust any and all avenues. I’ll find an ophthalmologist at the hospital and reach out to them tomorrow. Thank you so much!