LASIK Joins the Military
For about 10,000 to 12,000 combatants a year, keeping track of glasses, prescription goggles and contact lenses on the battlefield could be a thing of the past
For the past four years, Army officials at Fort Bragg, NC have dedicated themselves to the continuous improvement of the military's vision. They have been performing eye surgery, such as LASIK and PRK, on qualified soldiers. For about 10,000 to 12,000 combatants a year, keeping track of glasses, prescription goggles and contact lenses on the battlefield could be a thing of the past. The vision improvement that eye surgery offers can help soldiers who have to react quickly during battle and negates the risk of liability for spectacled soldiers who loose their glasses during combat.
Eye surgery for Soldiers
Civilians continue to choose the LASIK procedure for refractive vision correction about 90% of the time, but for many active duty soldiers, PRK is the more logical choice. Because PRK is preformed on the surface of the eye, there is no flap cut from the cornea that needs to heal back over the eye as there is in LASIK. For soldiers who put their eyes under pressure from physical strain or jumping from high altitudes, not having to worry about complications from damage to the healing flap is an added bonus.
Either surgery costs the Army about $1,000 per patient, much lower than the approximately $1,700 per eye average paid by the civilian shopper, and could potentially benefit about one-third of the Army's employees. Priority for surgery is determined on a case-by-case basis, but soldiers who will be involved in combat are usually favored.
LASIK in the Air Force
In 2001 the Air Force initiated its own refractive surgery program, offering PRK to eligible airmen. In 2003 they began offering LASIK as an option, however, for aviators and individuals whose duties are performed in flight, LASIK is not available as flap complications could hinder performance.
Published: 10/14/2004, Last Updated: 01/03/2005
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.
LASIK Eye Surgery Surgery Information Guide
-
Basics of LASIK Eye Surgery
"I've heard about the surgery and I'm looking to learn a bit more about things like cost, whether it's right for me, and what options I have."
-
- LASIK Basics
What you should know about LASIK surgery, including information about the latest technology.
- LASIK and Refractive Surgery Timeline
Get a brief history of refractive surgery and see how technology has advanced.
- Information on LASEK
A slight variation on the traditional LASIK procedure is becoming available, LASEK. This procedure may be an option for patients who are not good candidates for the traditional procedure.
We have put together some information LASEK for your review.
- Vision Problems: Which one do you have? What does it mean?
Learn about common vision problems, how they form, how they're measured, and how they can be corrected.
- LASIK Joins the Military
LASIK, along with PRK, is being used to help active soldiers become independent from glasses and contacts.
- Online Video Presentation About LASIK Procedure
Watch an online video presentation about the LASIK procedure. It covers the basics of LASIK: what to expect, how long the procedure takes, recovery time, etc.
- Another Commercial Laser Labeled for LASIK
On May 11, 2000 Summit Autonomous received FDA approval to market its LadarVision System laser in the United States. The new approval allows surgeons to treat up to -9.0 D of myopia and up to 3.0D of astigmatism.
- Excimer Laser Procedures (LASIK, PRK, PARK)
Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) uses the excimer laser to correct low to moderate amounts of refractive errors.
- From Contact Lenses to LASIK – When to Make the Switch
If you’re one of the millions of people hoping to switch from contact lenses to LASIK this year, the first step is setting up a consultation with your local eye doctor. Knowing when to make the switch will depend on your overall eye health, as well as how stable your eyes currently are.
-
Details of LASIK Eye Surgery
"I already know some basic things about the surgery and I'm ready to research some of the details and maybe ask some questions."
- Comparing the LASIK Lasers
With all the different lasers available for use in LASIK eye surgery, how do you know which one is right for you? Does it matter? To help answer these questions we called upon some of the country's leading ophthalmologists to present a better vision of today's laser market.
- Is IntraLase a Safer Alternative for Your Eyes?
Touted as "all-laser" LASIK, IntraLase promises better vision with fewer complications, but is it really true? Read how the procedure works, the pros and cons, and what type of patients benefit most.
- New Technology Increasing the Chance of 20/20 Vision to 99%
Have you heard of the newest advancement in LASIK technology that offers a 99% chance of 20/20 vision without the use of glasses or contacts? Iris registration is the name of the special eye tracking tool that makes LASIK more precise than ever. Find out how it works, who's a candidate, and all the other advantages and limitations you need to make an informed decision.
- Covering the Cost of LASIK and Laser Eye Surgery
If you are like most patients, the price of LASIK is an important consideration when deciding whether or not to undergo surgery. Learn about the different options that can help you make LASIK more affordable.
- LASIK Complications: Definitions and treatment options
Learn about the possible complications of LASIK surgery, how they can be prevented, and how they are treated.
- Presbyopia Surgery: Decreasing Dependence on Reading Glasses...
Monovision eye surgery can decrease dependence on reading glasses. Learn what it is and the options available
- Tired of Wearing Glasses for Seeing at a Distance? Why LASIK...
It seems that LASIK has been all the rage in vision correction surgery since it was approved for use in 1998, generally accounting for somewhere around 95% of all refractive surgeries. But now a new procedure, using the technology that has been successful during cataract surgery, may offer a more desirable option for severely nearsighted patients.
- Study Recommends Longer than Previously Suggested Discontinuance...
Discontinuing use of conctat lenses before LASIK surgery is an important step to reducing surgical risks. A new study finds that the use of some lenses shoulod be stopped earlier than previously advised.
- FDA-Approved lasers
FDA-Approved lasers for LASIK, PRK and other refractive surgeries
- LASIK Surgery Considerations
Considerations outlines the criteria you will need to weigh in order to make a well-informed decision.
- LASIK Glossary
Glossary of technical words related to LASIK
- 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...
- LocateADoc.com pays for Nashville, TN father's surgery
Winning LocateADoc.com's November $2k contest, Anthony Edwards, a firefighter from Nashville, Tennessee won a chance to rid his life of the inconvenience of wearing glasses.
- The Excimer Laser
The Excimer Laser has added a tremendous amount of precision, control and safety to treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
- The Future of LASIK – What to Expect
Is now the best time to pursue LASIK surgery, or should you wait a few more years until technology gets even better? Learn about your future options with LASIK and corrective eye surgery.
-
Ready for LASIK Eye Surgery
"I've pretty much finished by research on the surgery and I think I'm ready to find and meet with a doctor to get started."
-
- Is Lasik Really the Answer to Vision Problems? Complications...
LASIK surgery accounts for over 2 million services for vision correction each year and has quickly become one of the most effective ways to maintain good eye health while correcting common vision problems. Still, many people are walking away from the doctor’s office with less than perfect results. Learn about the potential complications to make an informed decision for corrective eye surgery.
- Find Laser Eye Surgery Doctors In Other Cities
- Patient Financing
Think you'll need help paying for your surgery? Almost anyone is a candidate for easy financing of up to 100% of the surgery costs.
-
After LASIK Eye Surgery
-
- Recommend Your Doctor
-
Featured Articles & News Related to LASIK Eye Surgery
"What other related things might I like to know?"
-
- FDA Approves First LASIK Device for Monovision
Patients who suffer from monovision can now receive LASIK surgery so that they will never have to wear bifocals again. - Are You Paying Too Much for LASIK? The Real Costs of Corrective...
Have you ever wondered why LASIK costs more in some cities and states than others? If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, make sure you’re not paying too much by considering the following factors: - Six Foods That Improve Your Vision
Poor eyesight is often associated with aging and genetics, but experts suggest that eyesight damage can be prevented with everyday foods. Are you eating enough of these six important foods? - Eight Signs You May Need Cataract Surgery
Cell degeneration begins as early as your late 20s and vision impairment is just one of the major health problems associated with aging. Are you showing signs of cataracts? - Key Benefits of Zyoptix Laser Eye Surgery
The Zyoptix system is designed by Bausch & Lomb, and the company claims that this system is more precise than the standard LASIK treatment. How does it work? Here's a closer look at this innovative vision correction system. - Do's and Don'ts After LASIK Surgery
Have you recently had LASIK surgery? Make sure your recovery is as smooth as possible with these tips and suggestions.