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Do
You Qualify for Laser Eye Surgery?
Imagine how your life would change if you did not need glasses or contacts! Wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up and see the alarm clock without fumbling for glasses? You could enjoy the freedom to live a more active life of without the burden of contact lenses. You could no longer worry about losing your glasses or contacts in an emergency. Vision without the need of glasses may qualify you for a new or better job. Think of the possibilities!
Qualifications 
Refractive surgery is an elective procedure performed on a healthy cornea. You will be required to sign a consent form stating that you understand all of the risks, complications and side effects involved. Allow yourself time to review it carefully. As with all surgeries, it is important to remember that a good result cannot be guaranteed. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your surgeon before you sign the consent form. Remember to review the list of questions to ask your surgeon before you go to your consultation. Eligibility depends on the amount of refractive error, the curvature and thickness of the cornea, and a number of other factors that an ophthalmologist must evaluate. People who are most satisfied with the results of laser correction understand the criteria for eligibility. They also possess realistic expectations of what their vision will be like after surgery and clearly understand the potential risks and side effects. Most healthy people who wear glasses or contact lenses for distance vision correction are potential candidates for refractive surgery. Prime candidates are:
Disqualifications:
___________________________________________ MILITARY PERSONNEL AND PILOTSU.S. Military Position on Refractive Surgery Although they can have refractive surgery, U.S. military personnel and those considering entering the U.S. armed forces should understand that the choice to have refractive surgery might affect their careers.
U.S. Army Army Regulation 40-501 imposes some stipulations for soldiers and cadets who have the procedure. It does not permit someone who has had refractive surgery to come on active duty. If cadets get refractive surgery while at the Military Academy, they may not be commissioned upon graduation. Moreover, soldiers who have had refractive surgery cannot go into training programs for aviation, airborne, Ranger, Special Forces, HALO (high altitude, low opening), marine diving or combat diving. US Army Link News "Refractive Surgery" states that the Army does not approve waivers. To the best of our knowledge, the Army has not reconsidered its position on refractive surgery since March 1997. For more information please see special interest articles in our articles section. Air Force Air Force Regulation 44-102, paragraph 1.27.1, states, "Performance of refractive surgery is prohibited in all Air Force Medical Facilities, except by fellowship trained corneal surgeons in direct support of the Wilford Hall Medical Center Ophthalmology Trained Program." Paragraph 1.27.3 further qualifies, "Active duty guard or reserve personnel who undergo refractive surgery must undergo a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), and may be disqualified for continued duty." For more information please see special interest articles in our articles section. Navy and Marines The Navy is currently investigating the use of refractive surgeries with volunteers from their Special Forces. The navy has published study results for PRK, but the military services are awaiting the results of the complete study of refractive surgeries before making a final proclamation. These results will not be released for several years. According to the US Naval Refractive Surgery Policy, the U.S. Navy and Marines will accept waivers for refractive surgery. To be considered, military personnel must supply documentation of:
Applicants for waiver need also have a current eye exam and copies of their medical history. Note: waivers are not considered for applicants to special duty communities (Aviation, Undersea, Diving, Special Warfare/SEAL) unless specifically approved by those communities' managers. ______________________________ "Active duty members not assigned to warfare communities can elect to have any type of corneal refractive surgery performed through the Navy, or alternatively at their own expense in the civilian sector, as long as they receive authorization from their command. It is important for them to realize that if they have a procedure other than a PRK, and subsequently seek appointment in a warfare community, they will be considered disqualified and potentially may not be eligible for waiver consideration." - Lt. Jensin W. Sommer, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery For more information please see special interest articles in our articles section. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Policy on LASIK According to the Federal Air Surgeon's Medical Bulletin, Fall 1998, the FAA accepts LASIK for its pilots, as long as the FAA examining doctor finds "the post-operative condition has stabilized," pilots have "no significant adverse effects or complications" and their eyes meet "the appropriate vision standards" one to six months post-operatively. The bulletin states that it is the pilot's responsibility to have his or her doctor send a copy of a report documenting outcomes to the Aeromedical Certification division in Oklahoma City. This report will then become part of the pilot's permanent record. For more information, you can write to FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, However, commercial airline pilots or those planning to become pilots should be aware that airlines set their own hiring policies with respect to LASIK. Kenneth Martin, MD with the Aeromedical Division of the Canadian and U.S. pilot's union, Airline Pilots Association, states that the airlines' policies toward LASIK are "evolving" and that more and more pilots are having it done. By contrast, a job recruiter for Air, Inc. states that most companies will not hire pilots whom have had any surgery on their eyes, regardless of whether or not such a policy officially exists. In sum, commercial airline pilots should check with their current employer to learn their policy, official or unofficial, about LASIK. Those considering becoming commercial airline pilots should be aware that the decision to have LASIK might affect their careers. Potential pilots should carefully check with airlines that they would consider working for prior to making any decision about surgery. For more information please see special interest articles in our articles section.
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