LNER-laser eye surgery?

[TrackingHell]

Hey everyone

My son is interested in becoming a train driver but has had laser eye surgery in the past (2008). He wants to take a stab at LNER when more positions come up.

Does anyone know if they allow someone with laser eye surgery? He couldn't find any info on this unfortunately and hoping someone can help.

Cheers

 

[Corin_VL]

Hey everyone

My son is interested in becoming a train driver but has had laser eye surgery in the past (2008). He wants to take a stab at LNER when more positions come up.

Does anyone know if they allow someone with laser eye surgery? He couldn't find any info on this unfortunately and hoping someone can help.

Cheers

Yeah he’d be fine. So long as your vision is corrected to 20:20 or to the requirement of LNER either by lazer, glasses or contacts.

 

[Carl98k]

Some companies it’s a complete no. I’ve no idea why though.

 

[172007]

Some companies it’s a complete no. I’ve no idea why though.

I suspect pushed they would accept it. It's a great shame the disability discrimination act couldn't be used in such cases.

 

[TrackingHell]

Yeah he’d be fine. So long as your vision is corrected to 20:20 or to the requirement of LNER either by lazer, glasses or contacts.

That's brilliant mate, thanks for your reply.
Do you work for LNER by any chance?

 

[Carl98k]

I suspect pushed they would accept it. It's a great shame the disability discrimination act couldn't be used in such cases.

I had a medical with a FOC and the point blank said they wouldn’t accept it.

 

[ComUtoR]

Some companies it’s a complete no. I’ve no idea why though.

Risk and cost.

 

[Wilko5816]

I’m a driver with LNER currently and had laser eye surgery back in 2009 way before I joined the railway. Just declare it, he’ll be fine.

 

[Snow1964]

I had a medical with a FOC and the point blank said they wouldn’t accept it.

There ought to be a time bar, during recovery period from an operation makes sense for a medical.

if as in Op it was 14 years ago, and been no problem since, then unless the operation wasn’t 100% successful, doesn’t make any sense to be still failing.

As for the risk and cost element, after 14 years that must be a tiny fraction extra risk, and on principle is virtually on a par with excluding a school leaver because they were a caesarean birth, so theoretically higher risk.

 

[dk1]

I was always under the impression that it was frowned upon & at your own risk & that if anything went wrong the company would not support you. It’s less than 20 years since I was permitted to wear contact lenses in the cab.

 

[skyhigh]

I was always under the impression that it was frowned upon & at your own risk & that if anything went wrong the company would not support you. It’s less than 20 years since I was permitted to wear contact lenses in the cab.

Generally from what I've seen TOCs can be quite picky if you choose to have it while in service, but if you had it done a while prior to starting with no adverse reaction that's not really an issue.

 

[dk1]

Generally from what I've seen TOCs can be quite picky if you choose to have it while in service, but if you had it done a while prior to starting with no adverse reaction that's not really an issue.

Hopefully not & that there is no long term issue following the treatment. It was early days when I last looked into it & things where quite unknown.

 

[Carl98k]

There ought to be a time bar, during recovery period from an operation makes sense for a medical.

if as in Op it was 14 years ago, and been no problem since, then unless the operation wasn’t 100% successful, doesn’t make any sense to be still failing.

As for the risk and cost element, after 14 years that must be a tiny fraction extra risk, and on principle is virtually on a par with excluding a school leaver because they were a caesarean birth, so theoretically higher risk.

I think it all boils down to the risk you’re going to take. Personally I’ve held of getting laser surgery due to this.

 

[TrackingHell]

I’m a driver with LNER currently and had laser eye surgery back in 2009 way before I joined the railway. Just declare it, he’ll be fine.

That's brilliant. I imagine they do extra tests due to this?

He's very happy to hear this. Thank you.

 

[RollingStock19]

• Please note we cannot consider applications that have undergone laser eye surgery.
  
  From the current TPE driver vacancies. So some TOCs dont allow it, i know my TOC doesnt allow it.

 

[Corin_VL]

That's brilliant mate, thanks for your reply.
Do you work for LNER by any chance?

Im currently on my rules course, but I’ve done the medical very recently, so that’s only how I know. Good luck

 

[6eleven]

I had laser eyes surgery back in 2009. Joined my TOC as a train driver a about 4 years ago way after that. I am just being ask to submit an eye test every year to make sure it does not deteriorate. I believe it depends with different company.

 

[Christmas]

Yeah he’d be fine. So long as your vision is corrected to 20:20 or to the requirement of LNER either by lazer, glasses or contacts.

There is no such thing as 20:20 vision in the UK, or indeed anywhere other than the USA. We use a different visual acuity scale of 6/6.

I know that many TOCs will employ trainees who have already had laser eye surgery, but existing drivers are forbidden from having such surgery after becoming a driver.

 

[tallpaul82]

No issues with LNER. I recently joined and had laser eye surgery a few years ago. No additional eyesight tests as part of the medical.

 

[TrackingHell]

No issues with LNER. I recently joined and had laser eye surgery a few years ago. No additional eyesight tests as part of the medical.

Thanks mate. I think he's just worried about getting to the end and mentioning the surgery then being booted out through simply being honest. Can't find nothing on the initial application form about laser being an issue.

I’m a driver with LNER currently and had laser eye surgery back in 2009 way before I joined the railway. Just declare it, he’ll be fine.

Just out of interest did you have to prove where and when you had the surgery done? A lot of time has passed and I'd be worried if the records have since been scrapped.

 

[klkl]

I think he's just worried about getting to the end and mentioning the surgery then being booted out through simply being honest.

Good that he’s checking the TOCs position beforehand.

It would be very unwise to be anything but honest to your employer. I’m sure if a particular TOC doesn’t want someone to have had this surgery they will explicitly ask the question during recruitment.

 

[tallpaul82]

Thanks mate. I think he's just worried about getting to the end and mentioning the surgery then being booted out through simply being honest. Can't find nothing on the initial application form about laser being an issue.


Just out of interest did you have to prove where and when you had the surgery done? A lot of time has passed and I'd be worried if the records have since been scrapped.

No I didn’t have to prove anything. I told them the dates as part of my medical and was asked a few questions about any side effects etc (I had none so it was easy).

 

[Corin_VL]

There is no such thing as 20:20 vision in the UK, or indeed anywhere other than the USA. We use a different visual acuity scale of 6/6.

I know that many TOCs will employ trainees who have already had laser eye surgery, but existing drivers are forbidden from having such surgery after becoming a driver.

Having done an LNER medical for the Train driver role and passed with flying colours, the medical team confirmed the use of 20:20 as an accurate and relevant use of measurement.

 

[Christmas]

Having done an LNER medical for the Train driver role and passed with flying colours, the medical team confirmed the use of 20:20 as an accurate and relevant use of measurement.

It doesn't really matter what a nurse doing overtime shifts for BUPA or the like said at your medical; the fact remains that 6/6 is the recognised visual acuity scale in the UK.

 

[TrackingHell]

Now now boys

 

[tallpaul82]

I had a Dr doing my medical…

 

[Corin_VL]

Now now boys

Got a live one I think

It doesn't really matter what a nurse doing overtime shifts for BUPA or the like said at your medical; the fact remains that 6/6 is the recognised visual acuity scale in the UK.

Correction, fully trained Doctor.
How heavily damaged is your keyboard after that? Loool

Just messin’

 

[Dunnideer]

6/6 is the metric version of 20/20 (metres vs feet). The yanks are still using imperial.

 

[TrackingHell]

No issues with LNER. I recently joined and had laser eye surgery a few years ago. No additional eyesight tests as part of the medical.

No I didn’t have to prove anything. I told them the dates as part of my medical and was asked a few questions about any side effects etc (I had none so it was easy).

How are you finding the course Paul? Is it your first train driver role?

 

[tallpaul82]

How are you finding the course Paul? Is it your first train driver role?

Sort of. I’ve had model train sets and did an experience day at the local light railway. I got a certificate saying I was a qualified train driver but don’t think it would stand up to LNER.

Course is great though