Vision Requirements

[TWH]

Some may see this as pretty straight forward, but I can read it two ways. When a department state something like "Vision: 20/70 uncorrected - 20/20 corrected". Does that mean

1. If you have 20/70, you're good, but if you don't have that you must be corrected to 20/20.

OR

2. You need to have at least 20/70 and have it corrected to 20/20.

Thanks. :)

[lapd4me]

If you're eyes are uncorrected, it can be no worse than 20/70.
If you're eyes are corrected w/ contacts or glasses, they must be corrected to 20/20.

I believe that is how you read it.

[TWH]

Well that's good to hear. I'm pretty near sighted (way past 20/70), so I usually wear contacts instead of glasses.

[richjorg]

It means that the worst your eyes can be is 20/70 uncorrected AND they must be corrected to 20/20. If your eyes are 20/100 and your corrected vision is 20/20 you are a no go. Many departments now waive the uncorrected vision altogether if you wear soft contact lenses.

[LA DEP]

Well that's good to hear. I'm pretty near sighted (way past 20/70), so I usually wear contacts instead of glasses.

If you can afford it, get LASIK.....I was pretty near sighted, and had several points of astigmatism in each eye.....everything is peachy now....

[sotzo]

Lasik rules... I got mine after I was hired though - Most the depts I was applying for had a 6-12 month period before they could hire you if you got lasik....

[LA DEP]

Lasik rules... I got mine after I was hired though - Most the depts I was applying for had a 6-12 month period before they could hire you if you got lasik....

Copy....I've been on almost 20 years....Lasik didnt exist yet, so it was not an issue:D

I got lasik when I was working patrol....took a few days off, and went right to work....

[jcioccke]

Copy....I've been on almost 20 years....Lasik didnt exist yet, so it was not an issue

I got lasik when I was working patrol....took a few days off, and went right to work....

I have been thinking about doing that, LA Dep.

Big difference, from wearing contacts?

I am so tired of contacts popping out of my eye.

[ComicGuy]

Many departments now waive the uncorrected vision altogether if you wear soft contact lenses.
If I ever ran into one that didn't, my lawyer would be hammering them with an 'Americans With Disabilities Act' claim before the day ended.

[TWH]

Yeah, right now I wear contacts. I do plan on getting laser done once my prescription is stable. I noticed larger departments specify that successful contact wearers are exempt as long as the vision is perfect or near perfect.

[lapd4me]

Yep, I wouldn't be in if they didn't waive the requirement if you wear soft lenses. Keep in mind that with LASIK, medical generally will not clear you for six months after your surgery. That means if you get it right before you go into the academy you will not be able to continue and they'll pull you out...although I know of one individual who basically did exactly that and wasn't pulled, although that individual did receive flack from our DI as well as other instructors.