Can Firefighters Get LASIK?

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Yes. Firefighters can have LASIK surgery. Firefighters usually must meet visual standards specified by the National Fire Protection Association guidelines. Having LASIK usually means seeing without visual aids and for most people LASIK can correct unaided vision to the guideline levels. This can help people achieve their dream of entering the brave field of firefighting.

LASIK is also helpful for firefighters as after LASIK, you won’t have to wear glasses so you won’t have to worry about eyeglasses slipping down the nose during critical moments nor foggy glasses underneath the goggles. Our firefighter patients have told us, LASIK has made it a bit easier for them to perform their duties.

Since LASIK usually means that you won’t have to wear contacts, you will no longer have to worry about taking out your lenses while on 24 hour shifts at the station. Also while wearing contact lenses, your become more irritated due to the smoke and chemicals in the air and it is intensified while fighting the fires for days in a row in difficult conditions.

We encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about LASIK for firefighters during your consultation. We can discuss expectation for your eyes and as with any surgery, we can coordinate the best time for your healing.

The team at Clearview Eye and Laser Medical Center believes that LASIK should be personalized for your eyes and lifestyle. We strive to give you clearest vision possible so you can achieve your dreams.
Sandy this is what I could find from this link that quotes the NFPA 1582 standard. https://www.ofai.ca/candidate-testing-information/stage-two-vision-assessment

The following outlines the NFPA 1582 vision requirements candidates must meet:

1. Visual Acuity
Minimum Requirement:
20/30 corrected OR 20/40 uncorrected.
Both eyes tested together.

2. Color Vision
Minimum Requirement:
Sufficient colour perception to safely perform all essential job tasks
Individuals with abnormal color perception (i.e. red-green deficiency) do meet the color vision requirement
Individuals with monochromatic vision do not meet the requirement

3. Binocular Vision
Minimum Requirement:
Sufficient binocular vision to safely perform all essential job tasks

4. Peripheral Vision
Minimum Requirement:
At least 110 degrees along horizontal meridian in better eye

5. Ocular Health
Minimum Requirement:
Sufficient ocular health to safely perform all essential job tasks

6. Category A Medical Conditions

The following medical conditions would preclude a person from performing as a member in a training or emergency operational environment.

• Best corrected distance visual acuity with glasses or contacts that is worse than 20/40 binocular
• Uncorrected distance visual acuity worse than 20/100 for individuals who wear hard contacts or glasses only
• Monochromatic vision (resulting in inability to use imaging devices such as thermal imaging cameras)
• Monocular vision
• Any eye condition that results in the candidate not being able to safely perform one or more of the essential job tasks 

7. Category B Medical Conditions

The following medical conditions, based on their severity or degree, could preclude a person from performing as a member in a training or emergency operational environment.

• Diseases of the eye such as retinal detachment, progressive retinopathy, or optic neuritis
• Ophthalmological procedures such as radial keratotomy, LASIK procedure, or repair of retinal detachment
• Peripheral vision in the horizontal meridian less than 110 degrees in the better eye or any condition that significantly affects peripheral vision in both eyes
• Amblyopia

Candidates with a Category B medical condition shall be certified as meeting the medical requirements of this standard only if they can perform the essential job tasks without posing a significant safety and health risk to themselves, members, or the public.

The following outlines the 13 essential job tasks of a firefighter as detailed in Chapter Five of NFPA 1582:

1. *While wearing personal protective ensembles and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), performing firefighting tasks (e.g., hoseline operations, extensive crawling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using power or hand tools, forcible entry), rescue operations, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions including working in extremely hot or cold environments for prolonged time periods
2. Wearing an SCBA, which includes a demand valve-type positive-pressure facepiece or HEPA filter masks, which requires the ability to tolerate increased respiratory workloads
3. Exposure to toxic fumes, irritants, particulates, biological (infectious) and nonbiological hazards, and/or heated gases, despite the use of personal protective ensembles and SCBA
4. Depending on the local jurisdiction, climbing six or more flights of stairs while wearing a fire protective ensemble, including SCBA, weighing at least 50 lb (22.6 kg) or more and carrying equipment/tools weighing an additional 20 to 40 lb (9 to 18 kg)
5. Wearing a fire protective ensemble, including SCBA, that is encapsulating and insulated, which will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration and can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2°F (39°C) 2013 Edition 1582-10 COMPREHENSIVE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL PROGRAM FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS
6. While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, searching, finding, and rescue-dragging or carrying victims ranging from newborns to adults weighing over 200 lb (90 kg) to safety despite hazardous conditions and low visibility
7. While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, advancing water-filled hoselines up to 21⁄2 in. (65 mm) in diameter from fire apparatus to occupancy [approximately 150 ft (50 m)], which can involve negotiating multiple flights of stairs, ladders, and other obstacles
8. While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, climbing ladders, operating from heights, walking or crawling in the dark along narrow and uneven surfaces that might be wet or icy, and operating in proximity to electrical power lines or other hazards
9. Unpredictable emergency requirements for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration
10. Operating fire apparatus or other vehicles in an emergency mode with emergency lights and sirens
11. Critical, time-sensitive, complex problem solving during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments, including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces, that is further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions
12. Ability to communicate (give and comprehend verbal orders) while wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA under conditions of high background noise, poor visibility, and drenching from hoselines and/or fixed protection systems (sprinklers)
13. Functioning as an integral component of a team, where sudden incapacitation of a member can result in mission failure or in risk of injury or death to civilians or other team members 

At Clearview, San Diego's LASIK Center, we treat your vision and comfort like our own. We’re here to address your questions & concerns!

• Call Us: (858) 452-3937

• 6255 Lusk Blvd, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121

• 8:30AM - 7:00 PM - Monday through Saturday

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