What are the pros/cons of getting Lasic or PRK surgery through the military?

2015-08-31T11:02:01-04:00

I am considering having lasik/PRK surgery and wanted to get people's opinion. Only for folks who have actually had the surgery, is there any advice you would offer?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 11:03 AM

2015-08-31T11:03:25-04:00

I had it done in 2003. There were immediate payoff, but now my vision is getting poorer and I need reading glasses for just about everything.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 11:13 AM

2015-08-31T11:13:56-04:00

I had PRK back in 2001 after 9/11. The Army said if you were SOF or involved in any type of Airborne type operation (ABN or AASLT) you were getting it done if you qualified; whether or not you wanted it. Now, here we are 14 years later and I'm still 20/20 up close and at distance; however, I have some issue with nearsightedness as I grow older (no fix other than the necessity for reading glasses). I actually suffered from most all the side effects of the early procedure (halos, sensitivity to light, tired eyes, dryness, etc). To this day I still suffer from those issues. I had a horrible time in Iraq in 2003 with the heat, fine dust. UV, bright sun, etc... I carried eye drops in my pocket and used them religiously for 3 years until had plugs put into my tear ducts to keep my tears in my eyes longer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-08-31T11:29:02-04:00

It doesn't make a difference in the long term. I try to shy away from elective surgeries.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Aug 31 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-08-31T12:20:26-04:00

I had PRK, and I have had nearly perfect distance vision since then. The surgery was not approved in the US yet, so I went to Canada to do it. I do not regret it at all.

I do have a problem with near vision now. I need reading glasses, but I use the lowest power I can find so it doesn't get any worse.

I can't say anything about getting it through the military, they wouldn't cover it for a Reservist or a mobilized Reservist.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-08-31T13:28:11-04:00

I had PRK in 2006 and I don't regret it for an instant. At the time lasik wasn't approved if you still wanted any shot at aviation, but I believe it is now. I could see better immediately, and then couldn't see very well for about a week as the scab healed over.

My vision now is still better than 20/20 in my right eye, and about 20/40 in my left eye (9 years later). I may try to have a revision surgery in the next few years for my left eye, but I really don't have any overall issues.

There is always a risk associated with any surgery but overall it's very safe and I don't think having it through the military makes it any more dangerous.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 9:18 PM

2015-09-01T21:18:20-04:00

I had PRK done in 2011 and have absolutely no regrets. I went from 20/200 (aka, blind as hell) vision to 20/15 and I love how I don't have to wear glasses/contacts anymore. It's comparable to waking up as Spiderman and having great vision and not having to blindly search for your glasses. Now, the only side effect that I have is that if I simply brush my eye ball it's extremely sensitive. It's like the skin on my retina never grew back fully or something. I still have slight light sensitivity but not bad at all and very tolerable, just a little more than I remember having. I was highly encouraged to have PRK done as opposed to Lasik because of all the "low crawling" and humping through the jungle I could possibly be doing, haha. But I don't think having Lasik done would've made a major difference anyway. I am 35 now and my eyesight doesn't seem to be deteriorating, so I think I good. I was told that I may need reading glasses in the future, but I couldn't care any less.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-09-02T08:29:18-04:00

Pros:
1) I have had 20/15 since 2005
2) It's free for all active duty with 20/40 or worse (provided your cornea can hack it)

Cons:
1) Dry eyes in the morning (oh, noes!)