Medical - Laser Eye Surgery

[Wilko5816]

I have recently passed the DMI with GTR and have been given a date for a medical within the next few weeks. 6 Years ago whilst serving in the Army, I underwent Laser Eye Surgery. My eyes have been perfect ever since with no problems what so ever. I get my eyes tested regularly to see if there are any problems or damage which there is not, and as the optician says, my eyes are perfect.

I've seen that in the past, TOC did not favour or allow people to become trainee drivers having had eye surgery. Can some shed some light on this as I'm pretty nervous for the medical coming up.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I don't know about the railway specifically but my brother has had laser surgery on both eyes and he works for the police. He does drive police cars but is not a traffic cop.

 

[class 9]

In the early days of laser eye surgery it was a definite no no, but as techniques and reliability of the procedures has improved massively, I believe it is now allowed, subject to passing the normal medical for the job.

 

[ComUtoR]

Make sure you declare it. I think there is a specific question for it too.

It used to be you weren't allowed but the rules changed a few years back to allow certain kinds. The good folks at the medical will have the specifics. There is an eye test and you do have to meet the required standard.

Personally I'm not sure why there is a concern with laser eye surgery but I'm not a medical professional.

I'll try to have a look for the specifics.

 

[455driver]

I think it's to do with the loss of periferal vision, some types of laser eye surgery are allowed, others are not, failure to declare will mean termination of contract (regardless of type of eye surgery) and the slim possibility of the TOC suing you for the money they have spent training you up to the point of termination.

 

[Wilko5816]

Thanks for all the information here, I'm definitely going to declare it. I just spoke with GTR HR and they said they do accept Laser Eye applicants and for me to attend the medical, however it is on a case by case basis. BUPA apparently do all the tests at there clinic on the day of the medical itself. Fingers crossed

 

[FlashingYellows]

I read somewhere that the only types permitted are Lasek, Lasik and PRK. There is a form GO/GN3655, which outlines the medical requirements although I'm not sure if current it does give an idea of the requirements. It mentions about vision returning to normal and as you advise that is the case with you, then hopefully you won't have any problems. As above and as you have confirmed I suspect it will be done on an individual and TOC basis, good luck.

 

[ComUtoR]

A.5 Assessment of job applicants
A.5.1
The British Society for Refractive Surgery (BSRS) has published information
concerning the assessment of job applicants with a history of refractive surgery.

An examination to consider the suitability of a refractive surgery patient for a
particular profession should include:

a) A slit lamp examination to confirm that the eye has returned to normal and
that there is no significant loss of corneal transparency.
b) Refraction, topographic examination and pachymetry to screen for keratectasia.

The candidate should provide details of their pre-operative refractive error and if possible details such as their post-operative corneal thickness and the nature of any complications that may have occurred during or following the procedure

A.7 European requirements.

The Operation and Traffic Management Technical Specification for interoperability (OPE TSI) and the Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (TDLCR) permit laser eye surgery for train drivers and other
train crew subject to annual examinations or at intervals set by the Occupational doctor.

A little out of date from where I got it from but essentially the newer document states the same.

 

[marcustandy]

I had virtually settled on a date for laser eye surgery when the train driving job came along and in a matter of a few short weeks, I was into assessments and interviews (for GTR). Consequently I never followed through with the eye surgery as I had always been led to believe that it was not accepted.

Fast forward to the day of the medical (at BUPA, near Kings Cross) and although I wear glasses, it is only a small correction I need. In fact, I passed the eye test before I even got to put my glasses on! This was all conducted by a 'nurse', the final aspect of the medical being with an actual doctor.

Whilst I was in with the doctor he just checked some previous/existing conditions; I'd been in the army for 24 years and hadn't quite been totally unscathed! Reconstruction surgery on my shoulder, two damaged discs in my lower back and worn out knees were all checked for RoM (range of movement) and reflexes etc.

The doctor was about to end the consultation with "congratulations, no problems" when I asked what was the score with laser eye surgery. No one had actually looked into my eyes which is evidently when they can see if you have had any procedures. The doctor asked why I was asking as I was the second person that day who had asked. He stated that as far as he was aware there was no restriction regarding laser eye surgery, so long as your eyes met the required standard and that it was more than a month previous (same for any surgery). He then checked 'the rules' and confirmed that what he had just told me was indeed correct.

It was a bit frustrating for me as I could have gone ahead and had my eyes lasered but it won't be quite that easy now (month of work to meet the requirements). As it transpired, there were two people on my course who had had their eyes lasered in the past.

BTW, bifocal glasses are permitted as a driver, varifocal's aren't.

In summary, it won't be a problem for you.

 

[Raul_Duke]

Laser surgery can give you problems with night vision. I imagine this was one of the reasons.

When it goes right, it's good, but when it goes wrong, it goes very very wrong...:roll: