LASIK in Special Forces

[CPrice243]

So, I come to you guys with this question only after searching far and wide across the internet for the answer myself. Currently, I need glasses to be able to see. I really want to get my eyes corrected before I deploy this coming year so that I dont have to fumble around with lenses while I am trying to do my job. However, I am not 21 yet, and by the time I am 21, I will be ineligible for PRK because I will deploy prior to the 3 month recovery period PRK requires. So, I started looking into LASIK (where they actually cut the corneal flap prior to correction, then lay it back over).

I know LASIK disqualifies people from a number of things (Aviation, HALO, Special Operations Diver, ETC.) but I can't find a concrete answer as to whether or not it would prevent my from attending Selection and god willing the Q-course when I get back from my deployment.

Like I said, I wouldn't come bug you guys with this question unless I had tried to find the answer myself. I appreciate any information you all have on this. Thanks again.

 

[Ranger Psych]

I would not do LASIK, and I would wait till you get done with a selection and assessment anyways before doing it. Reason being, SOF gets dibs on the list to get eyes zapped, and it's free. I had PRK done at Bragg while in the 75th prior to a block leave, and was only on a "nothing really fun or exciting" profile for my eyes for a couple weeks.

 

[TLDR20]

I had PRK in the Q course. For free, and I was priority and got it done within 30 days if getting permission. If you have the correct surgery it doesn't disqualify you from anything. If you get LASIK, instead of LASEK(I know sounds dumb) you will be disqualified from HALo, and dive.

 

[CPrice243]

Thanks for getting back to me so fast fellas. Ranger, I will take waiting into advisement. Only downside is I really dont want to have to deal with the glasses, but that may just have to be the case. Cback, I was aware it was disqualifies me from those 2, which I was ok with as they weren't priorities. Good to know it wont be a DQ from Selection itself though. I take it you both feel waiting until I have the opportunity to get PRK rather than LASIK would be better?

 

[TLDR20]

Thanks for getting back to me so fast fellas. Ranger, I will take waiting into advisement. Only downside is I really dont want to have to deal with the glasses, but that may just have to be the case. Cback, I was aware it was disqualifies me from those 2, which I was ok with as they weren't priorities. Good to know it wont be a DQ from Selection itself though. I take it you both feel waiting until I have the opportunity to get PRK rather than LASIK would be better?

Soon it may not matter if HALo is a priority, it is soon becoming a standard part of the Q. Wait until you can get the correct free surgery is my advice.

 

[Brill]

I had PRK in the Q course.

Since it's been awhile, how's it (recovery, current vision, complications or annoyances) been since?

 

[TLDR20]

Since it's been awhile, how's it (recovery, current vision, complications or annoyances) been since?

The only problem I have is dryness after I drink a lot of alcohol. I wake up and my surgerized eye, is super dry it is like a symptom of a hangover for me now.

 

[x SF med]

The only problem I have is dryness after I drink a lot of alcohol. I wake up and my surgerized eye, is super dry it is like a symptom of a hangover for me now.

Maybe if you didn't pour that really hoppy IPA in your eyes, you'd do better... just an idea.:wall:

 

[Karoshi]

If you get LASIK, instead of LASEK(I know sounds dumb) you will be disqualified from HALo, and dive.

Isn't that because LASIK cuts the top layer and part of the next layer of the eye, while LASEK cuts into just the top layer? I thought it had something to due with less complications due to removing too much tissue and causing dry eyes or something.

 

[TLDR20]

Isn't that because LASIK cuts the top layer and part of the next layer of the eye, while LASEK cuts into just the top layer? I thought it had something to due with less complications due to removing too much tissue and causing dry eyes or something.

LASIK cuts a flap, LASEK shaves down the cornea. That is all I know.

 

[Ranger Psych]

The flap has, in rare cases and extreme situations, flown the fuck open. Obviously not a good thing.

 

[MilkTruckCoPilot]

I can speak to the success of having LASEK done as I had it performed in 2002. I don't know what my vision was but I was nearly blind without contacts/glasses. Forget about driving and if I was just out walking around I couldn't distinguish between who was who. When I was tested I couldn't even see the large E on the chart. After I had it done my vision went to 20/15 and has remained roughly the same.

 

[18C4V]

I know of team guys who have done either PRK/LASIK who have no issues with 30,000 k jumps or losing goggles at terminal velocity. I also know of combat divers who have either done PRK or LASIK and have no issues. The caveat is that like what everyone said..LAISK is not approved for MFF/CDQC and Ranger School.

 

[CPrice243]

The flap has, in rare cases and extreme situations, flown the fuck open. Obviously not a good thing.

It seems it is settled then I will just wait and stick it out through deployment. I really appreciate the advice fellas.

 

[1345]

Considering you already decided on your vision correction solution, I will say this... I was one of the dudes rocking corrective eye wear throughout the entire Q course. That shit sucked the day's dick for sure man. Always fogging up on you for whatever reason. But I am thankful for my eye wear. There were many instances where I'd be walking through some shit and a twig would slap back from the dude in front of me and hit me in the face and eyes. We saw many-a-dude go to med hold after getting whacked in the eye by a twig. Once you're in med hold, good luck getting out. So the fogged up gear sucks, but the protection disables that little inconvenience. I'll take a slight inconvenience of fogged up glasses over a 6 month holding pattern for a bum eyeball. Big ass picture, gotta see it all.

 

[18C4V]

Considering you already decided on your vision correction solution, I will say this... I was one of the dudes rocking corrective eye wear throughout the entire Q course. That shit sucked the day's dick for sure man. Always fogging up on you for whatever reason. But I am thankful for my eye wear. There were many instances where I'd be walking through some shit and a twig would slap back from the dude in front of me and hit me in the face and eyes. We saw many-a-dude go to med hold after getting whacked in the eye by a twig. Once you're in med hold, good luck getting out. So the fogged up gear sucks, but the protection disables that little inconvenience. I'll take a slight inconvenience of fogged up glasses over a 6 month holding pattern for a bum eyeball. Big ass picture, gotta see it all.

The one thing I had no complaint about Ranger School was the mandatory eye pro wear in Florida phase which saved my eyes more than once. When I went to the Q, I remember we didn't have eye pro during phase II (SUT).

 

[Florida173]

PRK or LASEK is the way to go.. I had a buddy that blunt trauma opened up his flap..

I did PRK back in 2002 at Ft. Bragg and haven't had any issues since.

 

[Johca]

Go to the medical standards source document, Army Regulation 40-5o1 Standards of Medical Fitness. Chapter 5 contains:

Medical fitness standards for initial selection for Airborne training, Ranger training, and Special Forces training, and Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course training
Medical fitness standards for selection for survival, evasion, resistance, escape training
Medical fitness standards for retention for Airborne duty, Ranger duty, and Special Forces duty
Medical fitness standards for initial selection for free fall parachute training
Medical fitness standards for retention for free fall parachute duty
Medical fitness standards for initial selection for marine diving training (Special Forces and Ranger combat diving)
Medical fitness standards for retention for marine diving duty (Special Forces and Ranger combat diving)

There is some inaccurate info being put forth as eye surgery being the cure all to meeting standards. Most of it deals with there is a limit on how much surgical correction is allowed.

For example Chapter 2 Physical Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, and Induction

(2) History of refractive surgery including, but not limited to: Lamellar (P11.7) and/or penetrating keratoplasty (P11. 6). Radial Keratotomy and Astigmatic Keratotomy does not meet the standard. Refractive surgery performed with an Excimer Laser, including but not limited to, Photorefractive Keratectomy (commonly known as PRK), Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (commonly known as LASEK), and Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (commonly known as LASIK) (P11.7) does not meet the standard if any of the following conditions are met:
(a) Pre-surgical refractive error in either eye exceeds + 8.00 to - 8.00 diopters.
For duties such as being discussed here there may be more stringent requirements. For AF Class III flyer waivers some eye disqualification conditions only allow ±3.00 diopters surgical correction. The point being made by me is it's best not to guess.

 

[1345]

The one thing I had no complaint about Ranger School was the mandatory eye pro wear in Florida phase which saved my eyes more than once. When I went to the Q, I remember we didn't have eye pro during phase II (SUT).

Yep still the same way. Optional. No one wears it though until they see a buddy go down with an eye injury. Then for a week the guys will wear them then ditch them shortly after. I was fortunate, all of my Rowe training was in the winter and language all summer. Which made it only slightly less annoying.

 

[Florida173]

I bet the ophthalmologist on base would know...