Myopia

[empathia]

Hello there officers.

I did a quick search and did not find a thread that could answer my question.
If this question has been asked before, I sincerely apologize.

I want to become an officer. I am thinking of applying to the Philadelphia Police Department.
I took a look at the requirements and saw that in order to apply I have to be free of visual abnormalities. Problem is... I have myopia. If I wear contact lenses will I be able to apply? If not, what about after eye surgery?

Thank you for your time, officers.

- Εμπάθεια (Empathia)

P.S.: Please excuse any syntax and/or grammatical errors. (English is not my first language)

[Switchback]

I don't know about Philadelphia, but a lot of departments/agencies require 20/200 or better vision (uncorrected) and 20/200 after correction (either glasses or contacts). I don't know of any departments/agencies that do not take applicants with lasik/PRK surgeries, but they often require some length of time between the procedure and your being hired.

[G35 Mass]

From my understanding, "myopia" is what is commonly refered to as "nearsightedness".

Generally vision requirements have a "without corrective lenses" and "after corrective lenses" standards, and both must be met. Doing a quick search online, I can't find PPD's standards.

If you don't meet the standards without surgery, but surgery gets you in to the proper parameters, you should be all set. I know several people who have had surgery both before and after hiring.

[Kimble]

P.S.: Please excuse any syntax and/or grammatical errors. (English is not my first language)

Actually, your grammar and syntax is quite good for English being a 2nd language (better than some on here who purportedly only know English). Are you a U.S. citizen (as that could cause problems with police employment if you're not)?

[retdetsgt]

I don't know about Philadelphia, but a lot of departments/agencies require 20/200 or better vision (uncorrected) and 20/200 after correction (either glasses or contacts). I don't know of any departments/agencies that do not take applicants with lasik/PRK surgeries, but they often require some length of time between the procedure and your being hired.

A guy in my academy started taking flying lessons just after we got hired. After he got a commercial license, he had an RK done so he could go work as an airline pilot. He retired from Continental Airlines several years ago. If they don't care, I can't see why a police agency would.

[empathia]

From my understanding, "myopia" is what is commonly refered to as "nearsightedness".

Yes, this is correct.

Are you a U.S. citizen (as that could cause problems with police employment if you're not)?

Yes, sir. I am a U.S. citizen, born and raised in Greece.

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I'll see if I can get in touch with a police officer a family member of mine knows. Maybe I can get some specific answers and I'll make sure to post them here so that any other forum member who has the same question as me in the future won't have to create a new thread.

Thank you for your precious time officers.

-Εμπάθεια (Empathia)

[mcsap]

I think the standard is 20/200 uncorrected and 20/20 corrected. I am nearsighted ( prob like 20/40) uncorrected and wear glasses. I am also a PA police Officer. That is our vision standard and hasnt changed in the 25 years that I have been here.

[greg72982]

I think the standard is 20/200 uncorrected and 20/20 corrected. I am nearsighted ( prob like 20/40) uncorrected and wear glasses. I am also a PA police Officer. That is our vision standard and hasnt changed in the 25 years that I have been here.

It has changed over the past few years. When I went through the academy in 2004 as long as you were corrected to 20/20 OR 20/200 uncorrected you were OK. I am worse than 20/200 uncorrected but since corrected I am 20/20 I was fine. With the new standards uncorrected you have to be 20/200 AND corrected to 20/20. This is for certification only though.

Alot of guys out of the academy now are forced to go get LASIK if they want to be certified. You can still go to the academy but you won't get your cert until it is fixed. Unfortunately the academies haven't adopted that standard, likely because they will lose money. I feel for the guys that spend a few thousand to put themselves through an academy only to find out they have to pay another $2K+ on their eyes to get certified...

[retdetsgt]

Ours is 20/200, correctable to 20/20. If it's worse than 20/200, it doesn't matter if it's corrected or not. Sometimes you lose your glasses and still have to be able to see to some degree.

[empathia]

Hmm, I see. I guess I don't have to worry just yet. Thank you for your time officers. You were really helpful.

-Εμπάθεια (Empathia)