Expert: Jason Grabill - 1/14/2008

Question
Hey this may seem like some what of a tangent, but i deped into the navy in june of 2007 and am currently a senior is high school. I recently got my SEAL contract and the only way of doing this was to get a second opinion on my poor eyesight (20/150). In doing so i the ophthalmologist told me i had kerataconus. Initially i had to get a K reading at meps where they told me i did not have it. So, i am curious if a Deep Anterior Lamellar Keretaplasty (DALK procedure) will disqualify me or if i can get a bummed or even see a medical bored in order for me to serve. I have talked to my recruiters but have had little help. They just keep telling me to just show up at bootcamp with or without the surgery and i am scared this if i show up with the corrective surgery which will make my eye stronger and give me about 20/30 (and enable me to go in for prk later on in the service) they will disqualify me for fraudulent enlistment and if i show up without the surgery they will catch the kerataconus and discharge me right then and there at rtc. Is there any way i can present a case in order to serve in the navy because i do no feel like being dishonorable and lying about a condition that i do have or a surgery etc. I am more than qualified in every other aspect. This was and is truly a huge blow because it's merely my left eye that is holding me back. Thanks !
-Gabe

Answer
Gabe:

 First, it sounds to me like you are sweating over something that you have already passed.  If MEPS said you were fine, you were fine.  Why would you go back and make your life more difficult?  

 If MEPS passed you then MEPS passed you.  I have no knowledge of medical or opthomological issues, that is far above my pay grade.  Has anyone even told you you are disqualified from serving?  It doesn't sound like it to me.

 While you will get another eye test in boot camp, MEPS has, I presume, signed off on this to begin with, so it's not a 'fraudulent' enlistment.

 Listen to the recruiters and do what they tell you to do.  If you want to get the surgery get it, but that is your choice and no one elses.    Once again, if MEPS passed you, MEPS passed you.  Don't mess with sucess.