Is LASIK or PRK better for Military?

LASIK is performed in the Army; however, surface ablation, such as PRK and LASEK, is the preferred procedure to be performed on combat-bound soldiers and others in special operations.

Does military prefer PRK or LASIK?

PRK persists as preferred option

Even though LASIK and SMILE are both acceptable procedures in certain settings for members of the military, PRK persists as the predominant procedure, perhaps simply because it is embedded in military culture.

Does PRK disqualify you from the military?

In general, PRK is acceptable, but LASIK is considered disqualifying for active duty in any Special Forces (air, sea or land) capacity, and for naval aviators. LASIK is not disqualifying for general duty positions.

Is LASIK covered by the military?

We are happy to treat veterans because VA LASIK eye surgery is not readily available and is not covered by the military.

Which eye surgery is best for Army?

Refractive surgery is often preferable, particularly LASIK or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It's not surprising we see so many people getting LASIK in the military. It's the most common refractive surgery being done today.

LASIK or PRK? Which is right for me? Animation.

Can I get PRK in the Navy?

PRK and Lasik are currently available at all 26 military laser centers for active duty military members. There is excellent access at many of these centers with waiting times from two to eight weeks.

How long after PRK can I join the military?

Hopefully, I can get PRK during that time. Do not be in a rush to join; get prepared physically first. Take advantage of the six-month delay after eye surgery required by the doctors at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) to get ready to get to and through training.

Can you be a fighter pilot with PRK?

Effective May 21, 2007, applicants who have had PRK and LASIK eye surgery were no longer automatically disqualified from flight training. You can not enter into the training pipeline and stay a pilot with these two laser eye treatments.

Can you be a Navy SEAL with LASIK?

(7) Deficient depth perception from any cause is disqualifying. (8) Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), LASEK, intraocular lens implants, or hard contact lens wear for keratoconus within the preceding 3 months are disqualifying for candidates.

Does LASIK disqualify you from being a fighter pilot?

Can air force pilots have LASIK? The air force website states that corrective surgery can disqualify applicants for certain roles; however, air force pilot LASIK has been permissible since 2007.

Why is PRK safer than LASIK?

Overall, PRK is considered to be safer and more effective in the long term because it doesn't leave a flap in your cornea. The flap left behind by LASIK can be subject to greater damage or complications if your eye is injured.

How do you get PRK in the army?

During this process, military members must receive permission from their commander to undergo the procedure, be medically qualified, have a stable eyeglass prescription, and have specific time left on active duty, usually at least six to 12 months. More details are available at the laser eye surgery center websites.

Will the Air Force pay for LASIK?

LASIK will be offered to airmen who are not considered aviation and special-duty personnel.

Can you get PRK in the Air Force?

In the military, refractive surgery is limited to PRK and Lasik. We are not allowed to perform phakic intra-ocular lens (IOL) implantation, clear lens exchange or conductive keratoplasty on active duty US Air Force personnel.

How long is non deployable after PRK?

After LASIK you get a 6-week nondeployable profile. After PRK you get a 3-month nondeployable profile.

Does LASIK make you non deployable?

After LASIK you get a 6-week nondeployable profile. After PRK you get a 3-month nondeployable profile.

Is PRK worse than LASIK?

Ultimately, neither LASIK nor PRK is better or worse than the other. Both are relatively low-risk procedures when performed on suitable candidates, and both are capable of producing exceptional results. Modern technology has made both procedures safer and more dependable than ever before.

How many years does PRK last?

How Long Does PRK Last? PRK is considered to be permanent. However, it cannot prevent eyes from aging, nor the optical conditions that can develop as a result. If you have PRK surgery at 40 years of age or older, you can expect these changes to occur.

Is PRK worth the risk?

However, when PRK is performed by an experienced surgeon, the risk of complications is quite low. In fact, this surgery is among the safest procedures today when performed properly. One advantage of PRK over LASIK is that there is no risk of flap complications because no corneal flap is created.

Will the Marines pay for LASIK eye surgery?

The Navy and Marine Corps may actually pay for LASIK surgery for soldiers, provided they are not in aviation, diving, or special forces, and they enroll in the Navy LASIK Study program. The Army also has similar requirements regarding LASIK surgery.

How often does PRK go wrong?

The percentage of patients that need retreatment after PRK myopic correction with an excimer laser is 6.8% (range from 3.8% to 20.8%). Various authors have followed-up patients after PRK treatment, to evaluate its efficacy.

Why is PRK so painful?

According to Adler, the surgery itself is painless because of the numbing eye drops, but once the effect of the drops wears off, you may start to feel some discomfort. This sometimes feels like a scratch on the eye and lasts for about four days after the surgery.

Will I need glasses after PRK?

PRK can accurately correct nearsightedness. Approximately 90% of PRK patients have 20/20 vision without glasses or contact lenses one year after the surgery. Over 95% have 20/40 or better (without glasses or contacts).

Who is a good candidate for PRK?

Ideal candidates for PRK are people who experience refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) and would like to achieve great vision without the reliance on corrective lenses. They should be in good health overall and understand the risks and benefits of PRK.

Is smile better than PRK?

Kling. LASIK involves cutting a flap in the anterior cornea, the strongest part of the cornea. Therefore, it is no surprise that we found post-SMILE human corneas to be 47% stronger than post-LASIK human corneas. But we also know that post-PRK corneas are stronger than post-LASIK corneas.