Will poor eyesight prevent you from being drafted into the army in 2025?

Vision is one of the key parameters assessed during the medical examination in preparation for conscription. Certain visual impairments can significantly limit one's ability to serve in the military, even leading to complete exemption. In 2025, the current criteria for determining fitness categories were clarified in accordance with the current Schedule of Diseases. In this article, we will examine the vision levels that preclude military service, as well as clarify situations involving vision levels such as -6 or -7 diopters.

What visual impairments will exempt you from military service in 2025?

As of 2025, the current Schedule of Diseases (approved by RF Government Resolution No. 565 of July 4, 2013, as amended in 2024) continues to regulate conscripts' medical fitness, including visual impairments. Exemption from service is granted if a conscript has serious ophthalmological abnormalities that affect everyday visual function. Such abnormalities include severe myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism exceeding established thresholds. In such cases, the basis for assigning category "D" (unfit for military service) or "B" (limited fitness) is the specific degree of visual acuity reduction and the characteristics of refractive errors.

According to Article 34 of the Schedule of Diseases, exemption categories may be assigned for refractive errors. In the case of myopia (nearsightedness), if the eye length or clinical diagnosis corresponds to a refractive error of more than 6 diopters in either eye, category "B" is assigned. If the refractive error is 8 diopters or higher, category "D" is assigned. Similar parameters are established for hyperopia (farsightedness): if the refractive error exceeds 8 diopters, exemption is also assumed. Thus, knowing the precise parameters of visual impairments allows one to determine in advance whether a conscript will fall into an exemption category or be sent to military service.

Astigmatism is also grounds for exemption if there is a difference in the refractive power of the meridians of the eyes exceeding 4 diopters. If the difference is between 4 and 6 diopters, category "B" is applied, and if it exceeds 6 diopters, category "D" is applied. These values ​​are typical not only for congenital but also for acquired forms of the pathology, including the consequences of surgical treatment or eye trauma.

In addition to refractive errors, visual acuity is an important factor. According to Article 35 of the Schedule of Diseases, if visual acuity is less than 0,3 in one eye and less than 0,09 in the other (even with correction), category "D" is assigned. If vision is better but does not reach the minimum standards—for example, 0,4 and 0,2, respectively—then category "B" is assigned. Cases of anisometropia, when the difference in visual acuity between the eyes is significant and cannot be reliably compensated for with glasses or lenses, are also considered.

Understanding the regulatory framework set forth in the Schedule of Diseases helps determine precisely at what stage and under what conditions one can expect to be exempt from conscription. This is especially important in cases where parents and the conscript themselves have doubts about the type of vision condition that qualifies them for military service , and a qualified medical and legal assessment of the documentation is required.

Conscription for nearsightedness: what diopters are required for exemption?

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is one of the most common visual impairments affecting military conscription decisions. In 2025, the rules for medical examinations of conscripts were regulated by Russian Government Resolution No. 565, as amended in 2024. This Resolution sets specific standards for the degree of visual impairment required to determine fitness for military service. The degree of myopia is measured in diopters, and it is this measurement that the military medical commission relies on when making its decision.

The most common question concerns vision of -6 or -7. These values ​​are considered moderate to high myopia. According to current legislation, exemption from military service is provided for nearsightedness greater than 6 diopters in either eye, regardless of which eye is more severely affected. If nearsightedness is 6,25 diopters or higher, the conscript is classified as category "B" (limited fitness), exempted from conscription, and transferred to the reserves. This basis is specified in paragraph 34 of Article 10 of the Schedule of Diseases. Consequently, if vision is -7 and supported by relevant documents, the conscript is not drafted.

For vision between 3 and 6 diopters in one or both eyes, category "B" applies—fit with minor limitations. This means the person can be drafted into the army, but not into all branches of the armed forces. Approaching the exemption threshold—vision around -6—requires a thorough diagnosis, as a difference of even 0,25 diopters can influence the commission's decision.

The presence of myopia must be documented in medical records. A mere statement of poor vision does not constitute grounds for exemption. The conscript must provide the results of an examination, including an ophthalmologist's report and an extract from his outpatient card or medical history. Based on this information and taking into account the degree of myopia, the commission determines whether to enlist the young man in the army.

It's important to remember that in addition to the quantitative assessment of diopters, the commission also considers visual acuity without correction and with glasses, as well as the presence of concomitant diagnoses, such as astigmatism. Vision is assessed individually, and proper preparation of medical documents increases the chances of a fair and objective decision in accordance with the law.

How does the medical examination proceed and what documents need to be prepared?

The medical examination upon conscription includes a comprehensive health check, including a mandatory vision assessment. The examination is conducted by specialist doctors from military commissariats, including an ophthalmologist. This ophthalmologist determines the degree of visual acuity deviation and identifies the presence of astigmatism, farsightedness, or nearsightedness. It's worth noting that in 2025, the army will implement updated standards set forth in the official Schedule of Diseases. The doctor records medical indicators, conducts a visual examination, and, if necessary, refers the conscript for additional diagnostics to a specialized facility.

To ensure an objective assessment of vision, a conscript must prepare and submit a complete medical record to the medical commission in advance. An important document is an extract from the outpatient card from the local clinic. It should contain the results of examinations over the past six months, including visual acuity data, ophthalmologist reports, and information on the presence or absence of progression of ophthalmological diseases. It is also necessary to provide the results of refractometry, autokeratotopography, visometry, and other tests, if any. This data helps to objectively assess whether a person should be drafted into the army given the level of deviations present.

If there are grounds for exemption from service, all diagnoses must be confirmed for a period no earlier than six months and no later than 12 months prior to the examination date. If there are discrepancies between the previous medical data and the current results, the draft board may decide to refer the individual for additional examination. Such measures allow for a precise determination of the severity of the visual impairment, its impact on military service, and whether it meets the criteria for unfitness. In case of disputed data, the matter is reviewed by a military medical commission, where a decision is rendered collectively.

Fitness categories for visual impairments

Fitness category is a key concept determining eligibility for military service, especially if a conscript has visual impairments. There are five categories: A, B, C, D, and D. Each is determined based on the results of a medical examination and is based on specific visual acuity indicators, the degree of impairment, and diagnoses included in the current Schedule of Diseases, approved by Russian Government Resolution No. 565, as amended in 2024.

Category A signifies complete fitness for service: a person is deemed healthy and can enlist in the army without restrictions. Even minor vision problems, such as early myopia or hyperopia, do not affect this category, as long as visual acuity with glasses or lenses is at least 0,9 in each eye. Category B is granted to conscripts with minor deviations from the norm. For example, with mild myopia or astigmatism of up to 2 diopters, if vision is corrected to acceptable levels, service is possible, but with a limited choice of military branch.

Category B denotes limited fitness. It is assigned if a person's vision is so impaired that they are unable to serve due to health reasons, but can only be called up for military service in the event of mobilization. This applies, for example, to moderate myopia with a refraction of -6 to -8 diopters or astigmatism of 4 to 6 diopters. Category G is assigned if a conscript has temporary visual impairments that are treatable or require further examination. In this case, the citizen is granted a deferment of up to one year for treatment, after which they are sent for a follow-up medical examination.

Category D completely exempts from military service. It is assigned to individuals with severe visual impairments, such as high myopia (over -8 diopters), severe astigmatism of 6 diopters or more, or a significant reduction in visual acuity even with corrective aids. In this case, the individual is not subject to conscription in either peacetime or wartime. This decision by the commission may also be made in the case of other visual impairments, including optic nerve atrophy, complete blindness in one eye, and irreversible injuries.

Thus, the category assigned directly depends on the severity of the visual impairment and the medical diagnosis. To determine whether a citizen will be deemed fit for service, it is necessary to consider visual acuity, the condition of the eyes as determined by the examination, and the ophthalmologist's report, which must be completed in accordance with legal requirements. Given that the army takes all medical reports into account, it is important to gather all supporting documents in advance of the medical examination, as the results of this procedure directly affect not only the fitness category but also the decision on whether the individual will be recruited.

Visual acuity, the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness, and the presence of defects such as astigmatism directly influence the medical commission's decision on conscription. According to current legislation as of 2025, the army may declare a person unfit for service or of limited fitness for service if they have certain visual impairments.

It's especially important to know which fitness category is assigned for different degrees of visual impairment. This helps determine whether conscription is necessary or whether there are grounds for exemption. This is based on the Schedule of Diseases—a regulatory document used by medical experts.

If a conscript is diagnosed with a serious visual impairment, including a high degree of myopia (for example, -6 diopters or higher), there is a possibility of receiving a "B" or "D" category. However, the decision always rests with doctors based on a documented diagnosis.