Lasik/prk/lasek

[The Reaper]

Hello Sir

I'm sorry if you must have received many messages in regards to this subject.

I just wanted to ask you a question in regards to Lasik. I received the surgery about 3 months ago.

It has been confusing to sift through the articles on google.
Certain articles say that Laisk disqualifies for SFAS, Halo , Ranger. Other sites say that you can go for Airborne and Ranger training, but not SFAS. Other sites talk about SF soldiers being given priority among the soldiers to receive lasik and prk.
Can you please enlighten me to the current doctrine in regards to eligibility for any Ranger or SF training for personnel who received Lasik surgery?

I would appreciate it greatly. I am starting my MBA in 2 months, and wanted to find out in what capacity I would be able to serve my country again (I want to try out for SF when the opportunity comes)

This question has been gnawing at me for the past month.
Thank you.

We continue to have the same question asked repeatedly by PM about a subject which has been beaten to death before here and at SOCNET.

Corrective eye surgery may (or may not) be a qualified for the Army, Airborne, Ranger, SF, Aviation, or other Army training.

It all depends on when you ask, whether you are already a soldier, paratrooper, SF soldier, aviator, what sort of surgery you have, when you had it, etc. Do not mix the portions of the reg pertaining to current soldiers and new recruits, and the differing types of corrective surgery.

We are not recruiters here, nor Army docs, and cannot tell you for sure what your situation might be. Since you are not signing a contract with PS.com, you should be seeking your answers from the Army. As usual, if it isn't in writing, it isn't official.


http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf


Use Google and the Search key on the various sites, as well as your recruiter. If you are not willing to talk to a recruiter, why are you asking us?

For those who are on AD, the in-service SF Recruiting headquarters is at (910) 432-1818.

Good luck.

TR

I think that the FAA, can help on this, but for those procedures that scar your eyes, which is lasiks and most others, you will lose some night vision. That may be reason enough to avoid it. I personally would not trade that away lightly. Another better surgury actually places a lense on the cornia(sewing it maybe), and it may not effect night vision. Easy enough to research the pros and cons yourself, and phone Reapers contact given after reading the reg. Medicine is pretty crude, so approach even hemmoroid creme as if it were a toe popper.

[AxeMan]

I just spoke yesterday with the DMO (Dive Medical Officer) at SFUWO (Special Forces Under Water Operations) about this. I had heard that current SF soldiers were required to wait one year after Lasik/ lasek/ PRK before attending CDQC (Combat Diver Qualification Course). The real deal is this: Lasik is a disqualifier for all Special Forces duty, PERIOD. Lasek and PRK are authorized proceedures and potential students must wait for a minimum of six months from being cleared before they can attend CDQC.

I had PRK performed by the Army several years ago. I have had no problems or complications.

Follow TR's advice as far as checking with the Army. There may be waivers out there that I have not heard of. I do know that you will not be allowed to attend CDQC ever if you have had Lasik

........MDW

[The Reaper]

I believe that MFF is also prohibited for LASIK patients, but I am not the adjudicating authority. LASEK is a different procedure.

I would get in first and then let the military tell me what procedures were GTG fror what I wanted to do.

Bottom line is to research the most current copies of the regs and to talk to a knowledgable person who is in the decision making process for the latest info.

And you guys with dogs, white canes, and the like, we do not have a place in SF for you. I am sure that you are fine people and we appreciate your desire to serve, but we cannot have a team member out there who is as blind as Mr. Magoo. IIRC, eight diopters is legally blind.

Good luck.

TR

[nrg]

Here is a link to a memorandum for waiver criteria regarding LASIK, LASEK, and PRK.

http://www.apgea.army.mil/doem/visio...geyApr2003.pdf -

This is an article about an observational study of LASIK flap adhesion in freefall parachuting conducted by a former Green Beret, LTC Scott Barnes, MD.

http://www.crstodayarchive.com/crsta..._f5_barnes.pdf

<FROM THE WAIVER>

3. Both LASIK and PRK are deemed safe for Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger Schools and applicants are routinely waived by the appropriate waiver authority so long as the other visual standards required for enlistment in the Army are met.. For Ranger School individuals should access the Ranger Training Brigade Web Site at <www.benning.army.mil/RTB/RTBIv1AIN.htm>.

4. Special Operations. Individuals who wish to accomplish additional training in the Special Operations field (combat diver qualification course (CDQC) ; military free fall, (MFF); Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC)) after LASIK should contact the US Army Special Operations Command Surgeon's Office at Ft Bragg (910-432-4261) to determine if they are a candidate for a LASIK waiver and inclusion in their observational study.

Hope this helps.

[Beerhunter]

Last i heard, soldiers in combat arms and special ops could get the surgery done free by the Army MDs; however if you already had it done by a civilian MD you could get kicked out, so go figure. I think it's PRK ( more expensive in the civilian world) which is different than Lasik. The Navy pioneered this with Seals. The Army was dragged into it. Not invented here syndrome, I suspect.

(Sidebar- My wife had a laser procedures that fixed her far-sightedness (needed reading glasses). It's used normally on glaucoma or some other type of elderly eye patients, and is covered by insurance. Once it is approved by the FDA for farsightedness, the cost will skyrocket to Lasik prices. This eye sh!t is changing daily in the medical world.)

[cback0220]

While in the Q course during Language school you can have the LASEK surgery at WAMC. I am having mine on the 26th. You miss one day of class and are on a full profile for one month afterwords and not allowed to go to the field for 2 months after that.

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by nrg

Here is a link to a memorandum for waiver criteria regarding LASIK, LASEK, and PRK.

http://www.apgea.army.mil/doem/visio...geyApr2003.pdf -

This is an article about an observational study of LASIK flap adhesion in freefall parachuting conducted by a former Green Beret, LTC Scott Barnes, MD.

http://www.crstodayarchive.com/crsta..._f5_barnes.pdf

<FROM THE WAIVER>

3. Both LASIK and PRK are deemed safe for Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger Schools and applicants are routinely waived by the appropriate waiver authority so long as the other visual standards required for enlistment in the Army are met.. For Ranger School individuals should access the Ranger Training Brigade Web Site at <www.benning.army.mil/RTB/RTBIv1AIN.htm>.

4. Special Operations. Individuals who wish to accomplish additional training in the Special Operations field (combat diver qualification course (CDQC) ; military free fall, (MFF); Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC)) after LASIK should contact the US Army Special Operations Command Surgeon's Office at Ft Bragg (910-432-4261) to determine if they are a candidate for a LASIK waiver and inclusion in their observational study.

Hope this helps.

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Have a Happy SF Day...

Can I ask the current medical crowd or those in the know what has changed in recent years/months/days?

I'm considering doing something this coming year. For the first time, I'm wearing galsses most of all waking hours. While just recently (2-3) years I could survive with most activities without, now I'm just wanting to see 20/20 again.

I could live with reading glasses.

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by wet dog

Can I ask the current medical crowd or those in the know what has changed in recent years/months/days?

I'm considering doing something this coming year. For the first time, I'm wearing galsses most of all waking hours. While just recently (2-3) years I could survive with most activities without, now I'm just wanting to see 20/20 again.

I could live with reading glasses.

wet dog, not sure if you're asking about army policy or preferred procedure, or something else. Please ignore if this is redundant, but the type of procedure you get depends on current prescription and the eye exam ie. cornea thickness/stability. Low prescriptions with enough material to shave = PRK, borderline blind = ICL. LASEK is somewhere in the middle. If you got high astigmatism, PRK recovery will be slow and dragging with lots of vision fluctuations especially if you're dehydrated, the eye is dry, or just strained too long. In general, 6 months to know whether the surgery is a success or not.

I got one recently. With my glasses I was seeing 20/10. I guess I took that for granted. There are days/moments where I feel I'm near blind. Also one eye sees better than the other. LASIK/LASEK/PRk are not reversible. ICL is.

HTH,

ff

Originally Posted by frostfire

wet dog, not sure if you're asking about army policy or preferred procedure, or something else. Please ignore if this is redundant, but the type of procedure you get depends on current prescription and the eye exam ie. cornea thickness/stability. Low prescriptions with enough material to shave = PRK, borderline blind = ICL. LASEK is somewhere in the middle. If you got high astigmatism, PRK recovery will be slow and dragging with lots of vision fluctuations especially if you're dehydrated, the eye is dry, or just strained too long. In general, 6 months to know whether the surgery is a success or not.

I got one recently. With my glasses I was seeing 20/10. I guess I took that for granted. There are days/moments where I feel I'm near blind. Also one eye sees better than the other. LASIK/LASEK/PRk are not reversible. ICL is.

HTH,

ff

Many thanks.

Digging through the menutia can be exhaustive. I'm wanting the preferred method. No longing on any short list for deployments, airborne ops, or deep dives, so any big brother Army standards no longer applies.

Just want to enjoy having a better selection of shades, be able to look through field glasses/scopes while hunting/shooting and honestly, I hate wearing glasses every waking moment.

I understand correcting my nearsightedness will result in me seeing clearly once agian greater distances, and I understand that I may need reading glasses later, I would really enjoy the next 10-15 years not having to wear freaking glasses all the time.