Uncorrected Eye Restrictions for Border Patrol

[LloydXmas250]

I am pretty close to getting accepted into the CBP academy and starting a job as an agent. I still have my medical tests coming up, one which tests eye sight. They require 20/20 corrected and 20/100 uncorrected vision. I have 20/20 fine with my glasses/contacts. Squinting I can see around 20/40 uncorrected. My question is, will they allow squinting during this test?

[Mikeb]

After reading the thread on the officer that was killed and the rules of engagement I would think they would only hire blind agents. To make it safer for the criminals.
Good Luck
Mike

[2patchHero]

I know some guys that had to get lasik before they got the okay for the U.S. Border Patrol academy (not CBP academy). They failed the eye test, got the surgery retested and passed.

[Recession]

I am pretty close to getting accepted into the CBP academy and starting a job as an agent. I still have my medical tests coming up, one which tests eye sight. They require 20/20 corrected and 20/100 uncorrected vision. I have 20/20 fine with my glasses/contacts. Squinting I can see around 20/40 uncorrected. My question is, will they allow squinting during this test?

If you haven't done medical yet, you are nowhere close to being hired. They are currently on a hiring freeze due to budget issues and there are over 1000 people in line ahead of you. You are looking at a little over a year before you get hired if you are only at the medical process. By the way, it's BP, not CBP. They will chew you out if you call them CBP.

I don't believe squinting is allowed. They want to know that you're not blind as a bat if you happen to be in a foot chase and your glasses get knocked off. Do you want them to know that you'll be standing there squinting while the bad guy gets away? They want to know that even without your glasses, you will be able to keep your eyes wide open and still chase after the bad guy.

[LloydXmas250]

If you haven't done medical yet, you are nowhere close to being hired. They are currently on a hiring freeze due to budget issues and there are over 1000 people in line ahead of you. You are looking at a little over a year before you get hired if you are only at the medical process. By the way, it's BP, not CBP. They will chew you out if you call them CBP.

I don't believe squinting is allowed. They want to know that you're not blind as a bat if you happen to be in a foot chase and your glasses get knocked off. Do you want them to know that you'll be standing there squinting while the bad guy gets away? They want to know that even without your glasses, you will be able to keep your eyes wide open and still chase after the bad guy.

Little harsh but thanks for the input. According to the agents I've talked to have said it won't be that long but who knows. I was mistakingly used the acronym for the whole organization. Sorry for the confusion. If no squinting is allowed I'll have to do as well as I can. Thanks for the help.

[Cpl. Haas]

Little harsh but thanks for the input. According to the agents I've talked to have said it won't be that long but who knows. I was mistakingly used the acronym for the whole organization. Sorry for the confusion. If no squinting is allowed I'll have to do as well as I can. Thanks for the help.

What steps have you completed in the process? Background? Polygraph? Oral Board? The agents you're talking to may be basing their "timeline" off of the last major hiring surge, where the Patrol basically doubled in size. From what I read, applicants were going from written test, to Artesia in 3-4 months... some before their background had even cleared. I'm told the current hiring timeline is in the 8-12 month range... possibly longer given the current budget issue.

[LloydXmas250]

What steps have you completed in the process? Background? Polygraph? Oral Board? The agents you're talking to may be basing their "timeline" off of the last major hiring surge, where the Patrol basically doubled in size. From what I read, applicants were going from written test, to Artesia in 3-4 months... some before their background had even cleared. I'm told the current hiring timeline is in the 8-12 month range... possibly longer given the current budget issue.

I took my written test in early September. I'm waiting on the medical but I'm into the background investigation already. Time wise I may have a while still. I was just referring to the steps to get to Artesia. Col. Haas, do you know anything about the vision. I'm leaning towards LASIK right now and have an consultation appointment scheduled for next week. I've always wanted to get them lasered, maybe this can be my excuse.

[BoJackUSMC]

Hey LloydXmas250
I recommend you to this Doctor Joseph Lee. You can google his name and you will see his positive reviews. His done over 50,000 lasik so far and zero law suit. I just got my lasik from him last week and I am also in the process of Border Patrol. I have 20/20 both eyes now and I am very happy with him. No more wearing prescription glasses anymore. I am confident I will pass any type of vision test given by any law enforcement agency after getting Lasik.

[Cpl. Haas]

I took my written test in early September. I'm waiting on the medical but I'm into the background investigation already. Time wise I may have a while still. I was just referring to the steps to get to Artesia. Col. Haas, do you know anything about the vision. I'm leaning towards LASIK right now and have an consultation appointment scheduled for next week. I've always wanted to get them lasered, maybe this can be my excuse.

I can't speak for the vision requirements... other than what's posted on the CBP website for Border Patrol qualifications:

Vision

* Uncorrected distance vision must be equal to or better than 20/100 in each eye.
* Binocular distance vision must be correctable to 20/20.
* Depth perception must be equal to or better than 70 seconds of arc.
* Peripheral vision must be normal.
* Color vision must be normal. X-Chrome lenses or other artificial devices are not acceptable as a means for correcting color deficiencies.
* Monocular vision is generally disqualifying.
* Candidates must be able to safely tolerate rigorous / hazardous law enforcement activities such as physical altercations and exposures to toxins such as pepper sprays, etc.
* Any disease or condition that interferes with a person's vision may be considered disqualifying; this will be determined on a case by case basis.

Refractive Surgery: Individuals who have undergone refractive surgical procedures (such as LASIK surgery) are considered acceptable provided the individual's vision meets the above standards post-operatively, and an acceptable recovery time period has occurred. The individual must be free of post-operative complications. For refractive surgery, the results of an additional evaluation by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist will be required to ensure that vision is not impeded due to post-operative complications such as glare and contrast-sensitivity, and the individual must be cleared for rigorous law enforcement training including exposure to pepper spray.

I can, however, speak very highly of LASIK. I had the procedure done back in Oct. of 2007 through the Pacific Laser Eye Center in Danville, and it was worth every penny! The procedure itself took maybe 10-15 minutes and was less uncomfortable than having my teeth cleaned. Immediately after they were done, I could see clearly. Since then, I've had no issues with my vision day or night.

[LloydXmas250]

I can't speak for the vision requirements... other than what's posted on the CBP website for Border Patrol qualifications:



I can, however, speak very highly of LASIK. I had the procedure done back in Oct. of 2007 through the Pacific Laser Eye Center in Danville, and it was worth every penny! The procedure itself took maybe 10-15 minutes and was less uncomfortable than having my teeth cleaned. Immediately after they were done, I could see clearly. Since then, I've had no issues with my vision day or night.

Yeah. I've read over that bit numerous times. They don't mention anything about squinting to pass but at the same time that may be a given to them. I am definitely going to get the LASIK done, it's just a matter of if I can get it done before the medical exam. I'd hate to fail that then a week later have perfect vision.

[meangreen46]

Yeah. I've read over that bit numerous times. They don't mention anything about squinting to pass but at the same time that may be a given to them. I am definitely going to get the LASIK done, it's just a matter of if I can get it done before the medical exam. I'd hate to fail that then a week later have perfect vision.

Get lasik. You'll be glad you did....especially before the academy. If they give you any slack at the exam about squinting, tell them that if you lose your glasses in the field, you're going to squint to "perform" your job so you should be allowed to squint to "perform" the test. If you have lasik, they make you wait "an acceptable recovery time period". My buddy had to wait an extra 6 mos. As for your timeline....you have a ways to go, so the sooner you get your eyes done, the less the "acceptable recovery time period" will be.

[BoJackUSMC]

+1 for lasik
Worth every penny and even more. I just wished I would have gotten lot sooner because it was pain in the butt for me to wear glasses and go through certain training in the Marine Corps. I used to hate looking at my rifle scope wearing prescription glasses in Iraq.