Which Jobs Require Perfect Vision
Whilst perfect vision isn’t a requirement for the majority of jobs, it is for certain professions and having corrective glasses or even surgery isn’t an option.
So what are these jobs and what are the requirements?
• Airline Pilot. If you want to be a pilot, you will generally be required to have absolutely perfect vision. This is because other people are putting your life in their hands. Wearing glasses isn’t an option because they might break, become lost. You need to have reliable sight at all times. Sight tests when applying to become a pilot are very exacting, to weed out those who do not have the necessary 20/20 vision.
• If you want to become a fashion designer or interior designer, then you will probably have to rethink your ambitions if you have any form of colour blindness. Working with patterns, colours and textures is an integral part of this job and not seeing exactly what shades or tones work together is a real inconvenience.
• If you are a fireman, you will generally be required to have excellent sight. Much of the job takes place in difficult conditions of smoke, heat, water and wearing glasses or contact lenses could seriously compromise your safety and that of those around you.
• If you want to get into the Navy you will also need to have perfect sight. If you don’t, you may still be offered a position, but it is more likely to be a desk-bound job. It’s many a young boy’s dream to be a fighter pilot but that’s an ambition to be forgotten about if they don’t have perfect sight.
• Doing close work, such as mending or creating jewellery also requires good vision. Yes, you can wear corrective glasses for this, but being able to see clearly even in a dim light or after hours of concentration is a key skill.
• Astronaut. Okay, so not many of us will actually ever travel into outer space and visit the Moon but if you’ve ever thought about becoming an astronaut then your sight will have to be tip top. Your eyes are affected by the differing pressures in space in any case and zero gravity causes havoc for spectacle wearers. So if your sight is anything less than 20/20, you’d do better to keep your feet on the ground and watch the show from television.
Remember, even in the Armed Services, there are plenty of administrative jobs that are open to those with less than perfect sight so don’t despair. After all, not everybody can be a Tornado pilot!