Many public-service exams in Catalonia — Mossos d'Esquadra, Bombers de la Generalitat or Bombers de Barcelona, and Guardia Urbana — require a minimum uncorrected visual acuity. Ortho-K is one of the few reversible options that lets you meet that requirement during the day without glasses or contact lenses, and without refractive surgery. If you're preparing for a public exam in Barcelona, here's how Ortho-K fits into your timeline.
Catalan regional police. Exams published in the DOGC, with medical exclusions including uncorrected visual acuity requirements.
Fire services with demanding medical criteria due to operational risk: minimum uncorrected acuity and limits on recent refractive surgery.
Barcelona's local police. Exams published in the BOPB with criteria similar to Mossos and the usual limits on refractive surgery.
For reference, these figures appear most often in recent exams. They are indicative: the medical table in each official call is the source of truth.
| Body | Uncorrected acuity | With correction | Typical notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mossos d'Esquadra | ≥1/2 in each eye or ≥2/3 binocular | ≥2/3 binocular | Exclusions for corneal pathology and limits on refractive surgery. |
| Bombers Generalitat / Barcelona | ≥1/2 in each eye (commonly required) | ≥2/3 binocular | Demanding physical tests; strict visual criteria. |
| Guàrdia Urbana of Barcelona | ≥1/2 in each eye or ≥2/3 binocular | ≥2/3 binocular | Table published in BOPB; check each specific call. |
Indicative figures. Always check the current official exam call (DOGC for Mossos and Generalitat firefighters, BOPB for Guardia Urbana, specific bases for Bombers de Barcelona). Requirements may change between exam calls and bodies.
We recommend starting at least 2-3 months before the medical exam. Daytime vision stabilises during the first weeks and it's wise to leave room for check-ups and fine adjustments before the test.
The lenses are used only during sleep, and upon waking the cornea remains reshaped long enough for sharp daytime vision. That means the physical tests (running, swimming, circuit) and the ophthalmology screening are performed without glasses or contacts in the eye — which is precisely what many calls evaluate.
The Generalitat publishes the medical-exclusions table in the DOGC each year. Historically a minimum uncorrected visual acuity of at least 1/2 per eye or 2/3 binocular has been required, with tolerance to correction and exclusion of significant corneal pathology and of refractive surgery without a minimum stabilisation period. Ortho-K, not being surgery and being reversible, fits well within this framework whenever the case allows.
Fire-service corps tend to apply similar visual criteria and, in some calls, stricter ones due to the safety component: minimum uncorrected acuity, exclusion of certain pathologies and limits on recent refractive surgery. Check the specific call you're applying to.
The Guardia Urbana publishes its medical table in the BOPB, with criteria similar to Mossos: minimum uncorrected visual acuity, absence of disabling eye pathology and usually limits on refractive surgery. Ortho-K is evaluated case by case based on the call.
acuity ≥1/2 uncorrected per eye, ≥2/3 binocular uncorrected and ≥2/3 corrected. These are indicative: always check the current official medical table, which changes between calls and corps.
Surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) modifies the cornea permanently and, in some calls, requires a minimum period since the procedure or is directly restricted. Ortho-K is not surgery: the effect is reversible and can be discontinued. For many candidates it's a more conservative option during preparation.
We recommend starting the process at least 2-3 months before the medical tests. Daytime vision stabilises in the first weeks and you'll want margin for check-ups and adjustments. The earlier you start, the more predictable the result on test day.
The above also applies, with nuances, to candidates for Policia Nacional, Guardia Civil, the military and other profiles with visual requirements. The assessment must always be individual and based on the specific medical table of your call.
Ortho-K does not guarantee passing the medical screening nor replaces the judgement of the tribunal's medical services. Your candidacy depends on prescription, corneal shape, ocular health and the specific call. The only way to know if it fits your case is a full optometric assessment.
Everything on this page also applies, with nuances, to candidates for Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil, the armed forces, air traffic controllers and other regulated professions. Assessment must always start from the specific call and an individual study.
The only way to know if Ortho-K fits your exam path is a full optometric assessment. You can book it at either clinic.
Optical clinic in Barcelona for Ortho-K assessment, overnight lenses and myopia control.
Optical clinic in Barcelona specialised in visual health, contact lens fitting and personalised solutions.
Ortho-K for public-exam candidates in Barcelona: meet uncorrected visual acuity requirements for Mossos, Bombers and Guardia Urbana.
Book an assessment for my exam
Content reviewed by Elena Sentís, optometrist (registration no. 18568) and owner of Looptica Poblenou. Specialist in advanced contact-lens fitting, Ortho-K and myopia control.
