Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 1/4/2010

Question
To become a Navy SEAL, the requirements for eyesight is to have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200 in both eye and must by correctable to 20/20...
...and candidates are able to get a PRK.
If my eyes were worse than 20/200 but correctable to 20/20 would I still be able to get a PRK and be accepted to BUD/S?

Answer
Alexandra,
Hopefully you're already in the Navy because SEALs usually come from within, not "off the street."

The name Alexandra is usually given to females.  If that's your case, you should know the current policy set by Congress and the Secretary of Defense, effective October 1st, 1994 excludes women from direct ground combat billets in the military.  This means the SEAL program is not open to women.

As for vision requirements, you can choose to have eye surgery done via the Navy or a civilian doctor at your own expense.  It it's done via the Navy, you're usually placed on a (long) waiting list.  The importance of your job and your rank determines what type of category you're in.  Therefore sailors like Landing Signal Officers on an aircraft carrier get 1st priority, because good eyesight is absolutely essential to safe performance of their job.

If a person's eyes were worse than 20/200 but corrected to 20/20 via surgery, yes they would then meet BUD/S requirements.

Personally, I chose to have LASIK surgery done via a civilian doctor and it's great!  I wore glasses for 40 years and now I have 20/15 vision without them.  When it rains, I can go outside without holding my head down to avoid getting my glasses wet.

It's quick, easy, and painless and I'd recommend it regardless of if you apply to become a SEAL.
I wish you luck,
Colonel Howell