CRNA Vision Reqs!

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Hi!

My plan from the start of my college career has been to become a CRNA. I'm well on my way, but I read something about depth-perception that has got me worried.

Obviously you need to have depth perception as an RN and as an CRNA (ie - to intubate). As I have terrible vision in my left eye, I "fail" those depth-perc. eye tests they have you take at work (or at least at my hospital). However, I definately do have depth perception. For my current job, I simply had to have my opthamologist write a note saying I could do the job.

Do you think the same could be done when I'm a CRNA? I shudder to think that all my hard work could come crashing down b/ of something I have no control over!

Thanks for any input!

E

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I have only one eye - therefore NO depth perception. I had to go to the OR to do some intubations for my pre-hospital license. It was not easy judging the depth I was putting in the laryngoscope. However, I think with practice, I could develop this skill.

Why don't you shadow a CRNA, be honest and see what you think?

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Hi!

I have shadowed several CRNAs, but that has all been before the thought about vision/d-p ever crossed my mind. I can certainly ask around though.

Thanks for your response!

E

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

My problem r/t to the depth perception was I wasn't alway sure where I was in relation to anatomic landmarks when intubating. I do think though that I could adjust and adapt to this problem if I had chosen to go the CRNA route. DOn't give up!

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Thanks! I don't feel as though I personally have a problem, but I wasn't sure if some big, bad committee is going to come over and say "No, no,no -all your patients and other staff members are in danger!"

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The ADA question is can you do essential tasks without accomodation?

There are private pilots who have only one eye and they are able to pass a physical based on a statement of demonstrated ability. Landing an airplane requires significant visual accomodation skills so I would certainly think that you could learn the skills.

I think that you could learn to accomodate for your deficit to perform the tasks. The best way to figure out how to develop accomodation skills is to see a vision specialist for assessment and possible thereapeutic exercises to help strengthen your accomodation skills.

The other part of this as I think about it is that there are always "tricks of the trade" for every physical/cognitive skill set. A chat with a CRNA would help you figure out where to look for these skills.

Hope this helps...

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