Key Takeaways
- The RCMP vision exam checks four areas plus overall eye health, and results stay valid for 2 years.
- Corrected vision needs to reach 6/6, or 20/20 with both eyes open. Uncorrected minimums also apply.
- Colour vision is tested with Ishihara plates, and colour-correcting lenses aren’t allowed during the test.
- Laser surgery requires a waiting period of 30 to 90 days, while implanted lenses require 6 to 12 months.
- Each police service in BC may use its own form, so bring the right one to your appointment.
Vision Standards & Eye Exams
You’ve passed the fitness test, submitted the paperwork, and now there’s one more box to check. The vision exam catches a lot of applicants off guard, mostly because the numbers on the form are specific and the timing rules are strict. Our team at Eyestyle Eyecare completes these forms regularly for applicants across the province.
RCMP and police applicants in BC need to meet set standards for visual acuity, field of vision, and colour vision, all of which must be confirmed by a Canadian optometrist or ophthalmologist during a comprehensive eye exam. Booking that exam with a clear idea of what’s measured can save you a second visit.
What the RCMP Vision Exam Covers
The exam looks at four vision areas along with a general eye health check. It has to be completed by a Canadian optometrist or ophthalmologist, and your results stay valid for two years from the exam date.
Visual Acuity With & Without Correction
Corrected vision needs to reach 6/6 (or 20/20) with both eyes open and measured together.
Without glasses or contacts, the standard is either:
- 6/18 (or 20/60) or better in each eye
- or one eye that’s 6/12 (or 20/40) or better and one eye that’s 6/30 (or 20/100) or better.
That uncorrected number exists for a reason. If your glasses or contacts come off during a shift, your vision still needs to meet a minimum standard.
Field of Vision & Colour Vision
Your field of vision needs to measure at least 150 degrees horizontally and 70 degrees horizontally with both eyes open. For colour vision, you need 17 correct out of 21 Ishihara plates.
How Colour Vision Results Are Handled
Colour-correcting lenses aren’t permitted during the test, so plan to complete the plates without them. If you don’t reach the required score on the Ishihara plates, the Farnsworth D-15 test can be used as a second option. Not meeting the threshold on both tests means that the colour vision standard hasn’t been met.
Eye Health & Conditions Noted on the Form
Beyond the numbers, your optometrist records anything that could affect how your vision performs on the job. Some of it comes from your history, some from the exam itself.
Items noted on the form include:
- Any eye disease that affects vision performance
- A history of strabismus, also called eye turn, or double vision
- Risk of double vision when you’re tired or your eyes are strained
Laser Surgery Wait Times Before Your Exam
If you’ve had vision correction surgery, there’s a waiting period before you can take the exam. LASIK, PRK, and SMILE all require 30 to 90 days before you’re tested. Implanted lenses require 6 to 12 months. Side effects such as halos, starbursts, and changes to night vision are also noted on the form.
Why Timing Matters for Your Application
Your optometrist confirms your vision has stabilized post-surgery before signing off. Booking too soon after surgery can mean repeating the exam later, which adds cost and delays your file.
How to Prepare for Your Police Eye Exam
A little prep keeps the appointment to a single visit. Bring the correct form, your current glasses or contacts, and photo identification. If you’ve had surgery, bring your pre-surgery prescription details as well. Keep in mind that each police service may require its own form and its own exam.
BC Services With Their Own Forms
Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, and New Westminster police services each use their own vision forms. Download the current version from the service you’re applying to before your appointment, since older versions may not be accepted.
Book with Surrey Optometrists or Kelowna Eye Doctors
Forms are completed during your visit, so you leave with the paperwork ready to submit. Appointments are available at both our South Surrey and Kelowna locations.
Your Next Step
Meeting the vision standards is a straightforward part of your application when you know what’s being measured and arrive with the right paperwork. Our team at Eyestyle Eyecare can complete your comprehensive eye exam and sign off on your form in one visit.
Book your appointment with Eyestyle Eyecare in South Surrey or Kelowna, and keep your application moving.
