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Federation Office,
19 Union Street,
Inverness IV1 1PP.

Telephone 01463 -250381
Fax 01463 711207

e-mail: Federation Office

ANNEX A                                                                                            Regulation 9                                                    

EYESIGHT STANDARDS: POLICE RECRUITMENT

The standard of eyesight which must be met by a candidate for appointment to a police force in respect of each of the matters specified in the first column of the following table is that specified in the second column of the table. 

Eyesight	Mandatory requirement
Static Visual Acuity1	Corrected distance visual acuity must be 6/12 in either eye and 6/6 or better, binocularly.   Corrected near static visual acuity must be 6/9 or better, binocularly.  [Applicants who do not reach the standard should not be rejected but should be invited for a further test after obtaining a stronger prescription].   Uncorrected visual acuity must be 6/36 or better, binocularly.   Corrected low contrast distance visual acuity must be 6/12 or better for a 10% contrast target, binocularly.
Visual Field2	A field-of-view of at least 120 degrees horizontally by 100 degrees vertically is required.  The field-of-view should be free of any large defective areas, particularly in the fovea.  Single defects smaller than the physiological blind spot, and multiple defects that add to an area smaller than the physiological blind spot, should be acceptable.
Colour Vision3	Monochromats should be rejected. Mild anomalous trichromats are acceptable and should be treated as normals.  Severe anomalous trichromats and dichromats are also acceptable and should be instructed in coping strategies.   [Applicants who show a lowered discrimination for blue colours should be referred to an ophthalmologist for further assessment.  This should include a measure of their dark adaptation performance].
Spectacles and contact lenses	Correction should be worn where necessary to achieve 6/6 binocularly.  Corrective spectacles and contact lenses are acceptable for the tasks of an Operational Police Constable.
Eye Surgery	PRK, LASIK, LASEK, ICRS, cataract surgery:  There is no significant weakening of the cornea and applicants should not be rejected.  A period of at least 6 weeks after surgery should be allowed before applications are accepted.  There may be a reduction in low light level visual performance:  Test visual performance under low illuminance conditions.   Radial Keratotomy (RK), Arcuate Keratotomy (AK), corneal grafts.  Any  other surgical procedures that result in a significant weakening of the cornea.  There is a measurable risk of corneal rupture if the eye is struck.  Applicants should be rejected.

[1]  Acuity should be measured using a Snellen eye chart, or equivalent.

²  The field of view may be tested using a confrontation test.  However, it is recommended that forces use more sophisticated testing equipment, where possible.   If the results of the confrontation test suggest that there is a reduced visual field, or if the results of the medical questionnaire suggest an increased risk of reduced visual field, applicants should be referred to an ophthalmologist for a thorough examination of their visual field.

³  Colour vision should be tested using the Farnsworth D-15 test.  Applicants should not wear ‘colour correcting’ lenses during the colour vision tests.

 

 

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