Does anyone know what the Army's policy for laser corrective surgery is?

I had it done at Ft Hood, and in order to qualify your must have:

20/40 vision or worse
6 months at current duty station

there was an 8 month waiting list (that quickly shortened after Iraqi freedom kicked off), but it was the absolute best thing I've ever done.

How much does it cost and is it done by Army ophtamalogists?

Did you get Lasik or PRK? What does it feel like, man? I am paranoid about people messing with my eyeballs...

[quote:caca1e51c5]How much does it cost[/quote:caca1e51c5]

nothing

[quote:caca1e51c5]is it done by Army ophtamalogists[/quote:caca1e51c5]

Yes.

I got Lasik, but only because I qualified for it ... it's the most expensive, so the Army doesn't do it unless it's absolutely necessary. There was no pain whatsoever, and the entire operation took about 45 minutes.

There are actually three different types of surgery they'll do, EK, PRK and Lasik ... Lasik is the least painful. Let me put it this way, with the other two surgeries, you get a prescription for about two weeks worth of Morphine.

I was paranoid at first too, but I never regret doing it ... I've worn glasses and contacts since first grade, and I could see clearly one minute after getting off the table.

my eyes were diliated for three days straight, but that's another story :lol:

No cost??? Really!!!!! WOW! Now I'm really glad I enlisted :lol:

Lasik is the one where they flip part of your cornea open and then flip it back?

So...what paperwork do I have to put in to get this ball rolling? :mrgreen:

[quote:082bd128b3="Epic Honor"]No cost??? Really!!!!! WOW! Now I'm really glad I enlisted :lol:

Lasik is the one where they flip part of your cornea open and then flip it back?

So...what paperwork do I have to put in to get this ball rolling? :mrgreen:[/quote:082bd128b3]

Or... get this eyeball rolling. :roll: hehe

yes, Lasik is the one where they cut the flap in the cornea

[b:6ef963eb91]WARNING[/b:6ef963eb91] getting Lasik will medically disqualify you from Airborne School, Ranger, Scuba, and pretty much every high speed school.

The way I did it at Hood was to go on the Darnell hospital web site and apply. I would check with the optometry department at your base hospital for procedures at your post.

Do you guys know if there is anyway to apply for this while still a DEP?

honestly, I doubt it. I would just wait until you get to your first duty station. With a lot of people still deployed overseas, the wait should not be that long.

Also some of the other things that can disqualify you are as follows:

You can have major changes in your vision for at least a year. Also you have to get your pupils dilated just in case they are to large to accomodate for the Keratonomy.

Which health plan do we have to enroll in?

I have read somewhere that there is currently a study going with people who have laser eye surgery and going to flight school. I'm looking forward to what they find out.

how does that work for dependents? my wife wants it, but i don't know if tricare will pay for hers.

Bradmeister/anyone -

Does LASIK medically disqualify you from Airborne, Rangers etc...? high speed schools? Do you have a source/reg on that? I plan to do Airborne when I get out of basic. Lasik done right after I left MEPS the first time in July 03 - leave for basic next week. I was told LASIK is fine with the Army, won't dq you from anything as long as you've had it for 6 months! (recuiter - I guess Ive been sucked in already).

Thanks for any input from anyone... G