If you wear glasses or contact lenses and have aspirations of becoming an RAF pilot, you aren’t alone in asking the question. Vision requirements are one of the first things potential recruits look to understand as they set themselves on the pathway to a career in the RAF.
Getting the right information early enough in your journey can save you time and uncertainty.
In short, it all depends on the role and your specific level of vision, and in this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know.
Do you need perfect vision to join the RAF?
No. Perfect, uncorrected vision is not a blanket requirement for the RAF. The RAF uses a tiered system of visual standards that vary depending on the role you are applying for. This means that while some roles will have very strict requirements, others may be a little more flexible, including some flying roles.
Key visual factors include:
- Your uncorrected visual acuity (what you can see without glasses)
- Your corrected visual acuity (what you can see with glasses or contact lenses)
- Your colour perception standard
Impaired colour perception, also known as colour blindness, is not an automatic bar to the RAF service, but it may limit the roles available to you.
Astigmatism may also be acceptable depending on its severity and whether your vision can be corrected to the required standard for the role you are applying for.
RAF aircrew medicals may also assess depth perception, binocular vision and wider ocular health in addition to standard eyesight measurements.
What are the vision requirements for an RAF pilot?
The RAF applies visual acuity standards from Air Publication 3391, Volume 3, Leaflet 205 – Medical Selection Process. The specific thresholds for pilots are much stricter than most other RAF roles and mean you’ll have to meet both uncorrected and corrected standards.
For pilot roles, the RAF requires a higher standard in uncorrected vision than it does for most ground roles. Exact thresholds are role-specific and assessed at your medical, but the key principle is this:
“The minimum standard for both uncorrected and corrected vision is dependent upon the individual specialisation standard as dictated by Profession Advisers.” Air Publication 3391, Volume 3, Leaflet 205 – Medical Selection Process (via MOD FOI response, 2023)
This means that your vision requirements as a pilot will be confirmed during the recruitment and medical assessment process. There is no single universal figure applied across all aircrew roles. It is worth knowing that final eligibility is determined during the official medical examination stage. If you feel you are close to the limits, RAF Recruitment encourages you to apply and let the medical assessment determine your suitability rather than ruling yourself out prematurely.
Can RAF pilots wear glasses or contact lenses?
Yes, a 2023 Freedom of Information request confirmed that the vision requirement for RAF pilots is described as “good, corrected vision required.” This indicates that applicants may wear glasses or contact lenses for pilot roles, provided their corrected vision meets the required standard. There are, however, important conditions to be aware of:
- Glasses and/or contact lenses must be brought to your medical appointment
- Soft contact lenses must be removed 48 hours before the medical appointment
- Hard contact lenses must be removed 10 days before the medical appointment
Failing to follow these instructions could result in your assessment being delayed or the result being affected.
How are RAF vision assessments carried out?
All candidates who wear glasses or contact lenses are required to submit an RAF Opticians Report Form. This is provided as part of your VA (Visual Assessment) pack.
Here is what you need to know:
- The completed form must be emailed to Capita (the RAF’s medical processing partner) before the telephone medical
- It must arrive at least three days before the face-to-face medical
- A paper copy taken to the appointment is not deemed sufficient; an electronic copy must be emailed to Capita.
What happens if you don’t submit the form?
If your optician’s report is not received in time, you will be deemed TMU (Temporarily Medically Unfit). This doesn’t mean your application is cancelled. If the report is the only outstanding issue, your face-to-face medical may still proceed, but your TMU status will remain the same until Capita reviews the form.
Our advice is to get the optician’s report sorted as soon as possible to avoid any delays to your application.
RAF vision standards by role: How do pilots compare?
Ground roles, such as a Logistics Officer, generally allow poorer uncorrected vision than pilot roles, provided corrected vision reaches the required standard. Pilot and other aircrew roles apply substantially stricter standards and may require additional aviation medical assessment.
For reference, the visual requirements for a Logistics Officer in the RAF, as per a 2023 FOI response, are:
- Visual Acuity less than 6/60 at worst, but can be corrected with glasses to 6/9 or better in the right eye
- Visual Acuity of less than 6/60 at worst, but can be corrected with glasses to 6/12 or better in the left eye
- Colour Perception Standard must be 2
Pilot vision standards are not published as fixed figures in the same way. As noted in Air Publication 3391, the thresholds are specialism-specific and determined by Profession Advisers on a case-by-case basis, which is why exact acuity values for pilots are not listed here. Your suitability will be confirmed at the official medical assessment stage.
Can you be an RAF pilot if you have had laser eye surgery?
Potentially, yes.
The RAF may consider applications from some pilot and aircrew candidates who have undergone certain forms of laser eye surgery, although strict medical criteria apply and all candidates are assessed individually.
According to MOD Freedom of Information responses, the following procedures may be considered for RAF aircrew roles:
- PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
- LASEK
- LASIK
Applicants must also meet additional ophthalmic and aviation medical standards, including:
- A minimum of six months since surgery
- Stable vision following the procedure
- Pre-operative prescription limits within RAF standards
- Referral for specialist aviation ophthalmology assessment
Further FOI responses indicate that SMILE/ReLEx SMILE procedures are not currently approved for RAF aircrew entry.
The RAF also states that undertaking laser eye surgery does not guarantee eligibility for pilot training. Candidates are not advised to undergo surgery solely for the purpose of meeting entry standards, as eligibility cannot be guaranteed.
Because policies can change, applicants should confirm the latest guidance directly with RAF Recruitment before making any decisions about surgery or submitting an application.
How to prepare for your eyesight assessment
If you wear glasses or contacts, here’s a practical checklist to keep your application on track:
- Book an appointment for an eye test with a registered optician
- Request the RAF Opticians Report Form
- Have your optician complete the form
- Email the completed form to Capita ahead of your telephone medical and at least three days before the face-to-face
- Remove soft contacts 48 hours before your medical and hard lenses 10 days before
- Declare any laser surgery and bring any relevant documents
What to do if you don’t meet the pilot vision standard?
Not meeting the vision requirements for a pilot in the RAF doesn’t mean your dream of working in the Royal Air Force is over. There are hundreds of roles within the service, from Air Traffic Control to Weapons System Operator, each of which carries its own visual standards, many of which are less restrictive than those for pilots.
Speaking to an RAF careers advisor may help you find a new avenue to pursue.
RAF medical policy is periodically updated, particularly around refractive surgery and aviation medicine standards, so suitability for roles can change.
Whatever path your RAF application takes, it’s worth thinking ahead to the practical realities of service life from the start. Whether you’re preparing for your first medical or already working towards your first posting, the financial commitments that come with military life don’t wait and neither should your protection.
Military Kit Insurance is something many recruits overlook until it’s too late. Your personal kit and equipment represent a real financial commitment and protecting it from day one makes sense. Request a call back to discuss your needs and allow our experts to tailor a quote to your specific requirements.
*This article is intended as general guidance and does not replace an official RAF medical assessment*