A Look at Careers Where Good Eyesight Is Important
Having good vision is an extremely important consideration for all of us. However, there are some people for whom it could play an even more critical role in their everyday lives. There are many professional circumstances in which poor vision can lead to disaster – and yet, these could all be avoided with the help of a quick and painless procedure called Laser Eye Surgery.
Everyone from military personnel and professional sportspeople to accountants, artists, and chefs often require precision vision to do their jobs effectively. In some cases, having a refractive error such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), or astigmatism, can even prevent you from pursuing your dream job to begin with.
Take the would-be pilot who has needed glasses since childhood or the aspiring swimmer who suddenly finds themselves needing contact lenses. The fact is, poor vision can be more than just a mild inconvenience. So, we’re taking a look at some of the careers for which clear vision is a vital consideration – and how Laser Eye Surgery could help you achieve your dreams.
Professional Sportspeople
A missed shot during a football, basketball, or tennis game due to losing a contact lens? Or something going wrong with your prescription swimming goggles? All of these scenarios can be pretty devastating for professional – or even amateur – sportspeople. This might sound a little farfetched, but we’re sure one of the world’s top tennis players, Novak Djokovic, would disagree.
In the 2010 ATP World Tour final, Djokovic had trouble with his contact lenses – on which he relies for maintaining his vision – and subsequently lost the match to his rival Rafael Nadal. As he said at the time:
“I really feel sick talking about it… It has never happened to me before. My right eye got irritated, and from the five-all I could not play. I could not see the ball, especially the return. It was just terrible!”
Later, in the 2016 Dubai Duty-Free championship, Djokovic even had to withdraw from a match! So, you might wonder why Djokovic hasn’t taken the plunge and had his poor vision treated with Laser Eye Surgery.
Perhaps he’s worried about the potential downtime from the court – not that he needs to be! Many patients are surprised at just how fast Laser Eye Surgery recovery can be. Many patients can return to work the very next day and be back doing regular exercise in as little as three days!
Military Personnel and Members of the Armed Forces
There has been a long-running debate around the suitability of Laser Eye Surgery for military personnel. Most of the concerns stemmed from the potential for disruptive side effects following the procedure; however, most of these concerns have since been put to rest. Today there are many Laser Vision Correction programs for soldiers and military personnel.
Here are a few words from Col. William P. Madigan, ophthalmology consultant to the Army surgeon general, and practicing ophthalmologist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C:
“Soldiers perform better if they don’t have to worry about breaking eyeglasses, losing contact lenses, or glasses and lenses fogging up at crucial moments. Moreover, compatibility of eyewear with night vision goggles, gas masks, aiming devices and other systems is a constant source of concern.”
Airline and Fighter Pilots
It is a well-known fact that pilots are required to have good eyesight. In addition to not having colour blindness, pilots are required to have achieved a first-class FAA Medical Certificate – one of the requirements of which is having at least distance-range vision of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction. In addition, pilots also need to have intermediate-range vision of 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction, as measured at 32 inches and near-range vision of 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction, as measured at a distance of 16 inches (410 millimeters).
This allows pilots to identify important markers such as position lights and airport beacons and to read radars, flight charts, and associated symbols.
Having said that, it should not be construed that Laser Eye Surgery – or 20/20 (or better) vision is a prerequisite for becoming a fighter pilot, as a surgeon at a high street Laser Eye Surgery clinic falsely claimed during a consultation with an undercover journalist.
Professionals in the Financial Sector
Now, compared with the examples above, this example might seem farfetched. But just imagine being the one responsible for reporting a company’s or client’s financial figures. An unnoticed mistake on the company’s balance sheet the day you left your glasses at home could lead to one hell of a headache!
Moreover, individuals who work with computers every day may need to take extra care of their eyes. After all, many of us are becoming increasingly aware of the negative effects digital devices can have on our vision and eye health.
So, maybe Laser Eye Surgery is a good option, after all. At the very least, it could do away with the inconvenience of leaving your glasses at work!
Studies have shown around 95% of patients who have LASIK surgery achieve 20/40 vision, and 85% achieve 20/20 or better. At London Vision Clinic, we pride ourselves on our record of outstanding results and strive for nothing less than the best for each and every one of our patients.
If you’re curious about how Laser Eye Surgery could make your career easier, why not get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators? Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to check your suitability for treatment and kickstart your journey to clear vision!
