Vision correction vs. uniformed services
In the case of the uniformed services, vision defects and eye diseases can determine fitness for duty.
Interested persons will find detailed information and explanations in the REGULATION OF THE MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTRATION of October 11, 2018 on the list of diseases and disabilities, along with categories of fitness for service in the Police, Border Guard, Marshal Guard, State Fire Service and State Protection Service
Candidates for service (and officers of the Police, PSP and BOR who have served as candidates and wish to remain in service) – there are two categories:
Z – fit for duty
N – unfit for service
There are three categories for officers:
A – fit for duty
B – fit for duty with restrictions
C – unfit for service
Among the eye defects and eye diseases that limit or prevent one from entering service are:
- Visual acuity disorders
- Blindness of one eye or absence of at least one eyeball
- Binocular vision impaired or total absence of binocular vision
- Slight impairment of color discrimination (preserved discrimination of primary colors)
- Significant impairment of color discrimination and total lack of color discrimination
- Approximate visual field abnormal
- Abnormal twilight vision
- Diseases of the orbit, eyelids, conjunctiva, sclera, lacrimal organ impairing the function of the eye
- Diseases of the cornea, iris, ciliary body, lens of the vitreous body impairing the function of the eye
- Diseases of the choroid, retina, and optic nerve that impair eye function and/or limit exercise capacity
- Borderline or slightly elevated intraocular pressure
- Glaucoma
All the details can be found on this page.
Visual impairment and the military
While attending the military commission, the candidate undergoes an eye examination. If you have a visual defect, it is essential to report it to the doctor, carefully documenting this fact with the appropriate tests.
What eye defects disqualify from military service?
The following eye defects, among others, are disqualifying from military service:
- Glaucoma (E)
- Chronic and recurrent diseases of the cornea, sclera, iris, ciliary body and lens (D)
- Slight nystagmus when looking straight ahead, increasing when looking to the side (D/A)
- Blindness of one eye or absence of one eyeball with visual acuity of the remaining eye not less than 0.8 without correction or after the use of spherical glasses to +-3.0 diopters or cylindrical glasses to +-2.0 d. (E)
- Blindness of one eye or absence of one eyeball with visual acuity of the remaining eye below 0.8 after using spherical glasses up to +-3.0 d., cylindrical glasses up to +-2.0 d. (D)
- Eyelid deformity impairing protective function (D)
- History of non-recurring diseases of the retina, choroid and optic nerve (D)
- Chronic diseases of the eyelid margins or conjunctiva difficult to treat, impairing the function of the eye (D)
- Prominent nystagmus when looking straight ahead (D)
- Ocular or eyelid conjunctival adhesions impairing extreme ocular tilt or eyelid mobility, not causing corneal desiccation (A/D)
- Acuity of each eye at least 0.5, with correction with spherical concave or convex glasses over 6.0 d. or cylindrical concave or convex glasses over 3.0 d. (D)
- Slight impairment of tear secretion or outflow (A/D)
- Paralytic, or post-traumatic paralysis of the external or internal muscles of the eye, slightly impairing visual function, not causing double vision (D/E)
- Lack of simultaneous binocular vision with visual acuity of the worse eye less than 0.5 to 0.1, with optimal correction (D)
Can a soldier wear glasses?
What about the soldiers? Can a soldier wear glasses? Yes, but on the condition that his visual defect is not large (most often candidates who have no more than +/- 3 diopters and/or astigmatism are accepted into the military). The decision also depends largely on the particular individual. Certainly, people with visual impairment cannot become snipers or commandos.
Basic military service is not compulsory in Poland, despite the fact that the Polish Constitution obliges citizens to defend the homeland. Every year, therefore, commissions are organized to adjudicate whether persons summoned by the WKU are capable – if the need arises – of defending the state. Persons with the eye parameters indicated in the regulation are considered fit for military service. In addition, they are checked for color recognition problems. All details can be found in the REGULATION OF THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE of January 24, 2018. [ link] on the determination of fitness for active military service and the procedure of military medical commissions in these matters
In the case of professional soldiers, the provisions of the REGULATION OF THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE of December 30, 2016 are binding.[link]
amending the regulation on the adjudication of fitness for professional military service and the competence and procedure of military medical commissions in these matters
Can a soldier or a representative of other uniformed services undergo laser vision correction?
Yes, as long as the method of treatment or correction of the visual defect used does not cause him to be classified in one of the risk groups and, for example, after surgery, he will not be subject to restrictions on his ability to exercise or other limitations indicated in the relevant regulations.
In Poland, clinical trials are currently being conducted on the use of laser vision correction for the military. At SwissLaser, we perform such treatments for people in the uniformed services, such as the military, firefighters and police.
