MEDICAL STANDARDS
NDA COURSE
MEDICAL STANDARDS
In the Indian Armed Forces, visual standards play a critical role in determining eligibility for candidates aspiring to become officers. These standards are designed to ensure that personnel can perform effectively in challenging conditions. Here's a breakdown of the visual requirements for officers in the Indian Army:
1. Uncorrected Vision:
- 6/12 in both eyes.
2. Corrected Vision:
- 6/6 in both eyes with glasses.
3. Myopia (Nearsightedness) Limit:
- Up to - 3.5 diopters.
4. Hypermetropia (Farsightedness) Limit:
- Up to + 2.5 diopters.
5. Binocular Vision:
- Must meet at least Binocular Vision III standards.
6. Colour Perception:
- Candidates must meet Colour Perception I standards, meaning they should be able to distinguish between red and green colors.
7. Vision with Glasses:
Candidates should be able to read 6/6 on a vision chart in both eyes, with:
- Myopia no greater than - 3.5 diopters.
- Hypermetropia, including astigmatism, within 3.5 diopters.
For female candidates:
- Minimum corrected vision should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye.
- Myopia should not exceed - 5.5 diopters.
8. Internal Eye Examination:
- An ophthalmologist will check for any eye diseases using an ophthalmoscope.
- Adequate binocular vision and Colour Perception III are necessary.
9. Radial Keratotomy (RK):
- Candidates with signs of having undergone radial keratotomy are permanently disqualified.
10. Laser Surgery (LASIK/PRK):
Candidates who have had LASIK or Excimer (PRK) surgery can be eligible if:
- They are over 20 years old.
- The surgery was uncomplicated and stable.
- Refraction has been stable for at least six months.
- They have a healthy retina.
- Corrected vision is 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.
- Maximum residual refraction should be + 1.50 diopters.
- The axial length of the eye is within acceptable limits.
These visual standards are designed to ensure that officers are capable of handling the demanding operational environment while maintaining optimal health and safety.
Indian Airforce Visual Standards
Distant Vision: One eye must have 6/6 vision (perfect vision) and the other 6/9 vision, which can be corrected to 6/6 for hypermetropia (farsightedness).
Near Vision: Both eyes must achieve N-5 vision, which is assessed using "Times Roman" font at two distances: Reading distance (30-50 cm). 100 cm distance, which is particularly important for environments like aircraft cockpits and CRT display users.
Color Vision: The individual must have CP-1 (ML-T) color vision, meaning they can accurately distinguish colored lights, as tested by the Holmes-Wright lantern at low brightness test from a distance of 6 meters in total darkness.
LASIK surgery
The LASIK surgery requirements for candidates applying to the Transport and Helicopter streams of the Short Service Commission (Flying Branch) in the Indian Air Force ensure that only those who meet specific visual and medical standards are eligible. These conditions include:
Age at LASIK Surgery: LASIK surgery must not have been performed before the age of 20.
Axial Length of the Eye: The axial length should not exceed 25.5 mm, as determined by the IOL master.
Post-Surgery Recovery: At least 12 months must have passed since the LASIK surgery, which must have been uncomplicated and stable.
Corneal Thickness: The post-LASIK corneal thickness, measured by a corneal pachymeter, should not be less than 450 microns.
Refractive Error Limits: Candidates with high refractive errors greater than 6D before LASIK will be excluded.
Other Ocular Health Requirements:
- No color blindness or night vision issues.
- Proper ocular muscle balance, including good alignment and binocular vision.
- No visible squint.
- Satisfactory convergence and free ocular motions.
- Muscle balance assessed through the cover test, Maddox rod, and an authorized vision tester.
Meeting these conditions ensures that candidates have stable and suitable vision for flying roles in the Air Force.
Phoria (Eye Misalignment Measurements):
At 6 meters (Distance Vision):
Exophoria: 6 prism diopters (outward deviation of the eyes)
Esophoria: 6 prism diopters (inward deviation of the eyes)
Hyperphoria: 1 prism diopter (upward deviation of one eye)
Hypophoria: 1 prism diopter (downward deviation of one eye)
At 33 cm (Near Vision):
Exophoria: 16 prism diopters
Esophoria: 6 prism diopters
Hyperphoria: 1 prism diopter
Hypophoria: 1 prism diopter
Indian Navy Visual Standards
Uncorrected vision without glasses: 6/12
Corrected vision with glasses: 6/6
Myopia limits: - 1.5 diopters
Hypermetropia limits: + 1.5 diopters
Binocular vision: Must have good binocular vision (Binocular Vision III)
Color perception: Specific limits not mentioned, but typically requires normal color vision for roles that depend on color accuracy.
These requirements suggest the need for balanced eye alignment, good vision correction potential, and proper color vision for someone wishing to meet the Navy's visual standards.