Entry into Armed forces after LASIK / PRK surgery? Can it be medically detected if it was done?
492847
I have a friend in the Marines and they paid for his PRK surgery (like the above poster said).  So I agree: wait and let them do it for you.  They are so desperate for willing recruits, they'd probably have a PRK party for you.\n\nAnd yes, it is medically detectable.  But I don't think they are looking that closely right now.  You should see some of the shumcks they are accepting...
403165
first off these other people dont know what they are talking about. 23 years old is just fine to be sf. 135lbs is just fine they will only not select you if you are over weight or over your body fat percentage. the near sighted might be a problem but now they will give you laser eye surgery so that wouldnt really be a problem. next you would most likely need to get a security clearance to go sf. so if you messed up you will be cault up on it. i have been in the army for over 4 years so i think i know a little more then the rest of these people.
169808
Usually, these things must be disclosed BEFORE you join.  If you knew of the disorder before you joined, then they'll most likely argue you breached the contract you signed when you swore-in.\n\nIf you are already in the army, I don't know.  Probably will depend on how it impacts your MOS (or job in the army).  If you're in infantry, don't think you'll get out.  But if you are in satellite comm., you might have a chance.
743221
Probably yes... I know when I was considering elective surgery while in the Navy I had to get the surgery while on leave and be fit for duty when I returned...they don't pay for elective surgery but I honestly don't know if you need any approval. Sorry I couldn't be more help
85594
I would strongly recommend you and your friend to read this website carefully before making a decision. You have only one pair of eyes, and therefore should not risk your most precious things. I have had lasik surgery myself, and if I were given a choice , I would never have it again. Please do not believe in those who can benefit from your surgery. What they aim at is money, and not your health. I think there is a new technique that helps shape your eyes and thus reduces your myopia without involving any operations at all.\n\nUseful website:\n\nhttp://www.lasikdisaster.com/
1097016
No. Once the damage is done, it's done.  I had such bad vision and astigmatism for years.  My contacts had to be specially ordered at $500 a pop.  I gave in 5 1/2 years ago and had LASIK.  Let me tell you, it was the best thing I've ever done.  I can't tell you how great it's been.  But, I understand the cost can be quite intimidating.  I spent over $3k having mine done, but in the past 5 years, it has already paid for itself.  The technology keeps getting better, so you should seriously consider it, and look into financing options.
795749
Best money that i ever spent.   Had a prescription (for contracts) of -6.5 in both eyes - so my eyesight was terrible.   Had both eyes done at the same time - better than 20;20 vision after recovery.  Hurts a little bit straight after, but recovery time is quick - everything was fine after 2-3 days.  \n\nWould advise anybody to have it done.
911620
If the rest of the doctors fingers work fine there should be no problem at all with him perfoming LASIK on someone.  If you are that concerned about this then find someone else to do the surgery or ask people who have had surgery done by the doc.
239805
As a member of the navy's delayed entry program, who leaves in august for bootcamp who also is trying to reclassify to SEAL after i was disqualified for my eyesight. I have eyesight of 20/40 and 20/75. If it's correctable, and MEPS doesn't fuck you like they did me whe they give you your eye exam and say it's uncorrectable....the only requirement regarding eyesight is that it HAS to be able to be CORRECTED to 20/20. As long as they tell you that it's correctable, and you fill out the appropriate waivers (ask your recruiter) then you should be able to class as SEAL. You might also be interested in EOD. If not then. go to your A school and work your regular job for 4 years, and reclass then. In all honesty, the Navy is hurting for SEALs, because not too many are qualified...I do believe that the current bonus for seals is around $40,000. Your local recruiter will probably tell you much of the same, but they'll be able to go into much more detail with you and your particular situation. Also, if your eyesight is correctable, your health insurance policy through the navy will provide LASIK eye surgery at no cost.
325005
This is absolutely not real.  This is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, therefore it's a scam.  There is absolutely no way Lasik is able to be done on a generic basis, as there are many different procedures involved in the surgery.  For example, an astigmatism causes the development of an irregularly shaped cornea.  How would the Lasik Buddy (or whatever it's called) auto-correct the incision site?  There is also glaucoma, cataracts, etc...  which must be taken into account.  \nI'm actually fairly certain this little system is in direct violation of the FDA Laws.  If you attempt to use this, you are taking a huge risk with your eyesight.\n\nEssentially, this wacko wants you to take a sedative and then stick a laser in your eyes?   Yikes!  \n\nNeuroProf adds, "Diazepan (aka Valium), the drug issued with the kit, is a Class 3 Controlled Substance and therefore must be prescribed by a physician.  It is illegal \nto distribute generically."\n\nPeople who are on Valium can't operate an automobile, much less perform surgery(!?) on themselves.
791025
If your surgeon recommended PRK, you should do that unless the center offers INTRALASIK then you could possibly do that. INTRALASE is when the surgeon creates a flap with a laser and then lifts the flap to do the laser treatment. With PRK, no corneal flap is created, the laser treatment is all done on the surface of the eye. About the first 3 days, you will experience pain/discomfort and you may want to just keep your eyes closed. Your vision will be hazy as well. By day 4 most patients vision clears up and you should be okay by then but it all varies from patient to patient.
859304
Yes you can get PRK through the navy.  You have to be screened first, and approval from your chain of command.  There is a priority bassed on job for waiting.  I was priority 2 due to being an MA, right now they are trying to get as many people through before deployments. It's easier than trying to replace glasses while deployed.
1076423
Wear glasses or have laser surgery.
1040729
I had LASIK eye surgery about 4 years ago with no complications.  My vision improved to 20/15 and 20/20.  I would recommend it if you are a good candidate.  Look for a quality surgeon who has done hundreds if not thousands of these procedures and check their rate of complications.  My surgeon had a complications rate less than 1% so I felt fairly safe having it done.
999854
go back and see the surgeon that done the eye operation
302856
Ask your surgeon...or a RN at the facility where the surgery was done. \n\nThey should have given you a list of 'to-do's' and 'not-to-do's' on your discharge papers.  Have you looked at them.  This is standard policy to provide you with this...any way if you lost those papers, phone them Monday and ask them...they'll be happy to tell you.  Each person is different and they know your history...and know exactly what you had done...so their advice would be the best. This is one time you DON'T want advice from friends, or on a board like this.
562997
Go for it!  But let me tell you EXACTLY how the procedure will go down.  My husband had the surgery in 2000, and I sat in the waiting room and was able to watch the entire surgery on television live.  They take these clamps and pull his eye open, after he is giving a strong numbing agent in the eye.  Well, he cant feel the clamps. Then, the doctor cuts open his cornea just to the point that it hangs over.  He takes the exposed area and zaps the eyes with a laser. It took just a minute, and then he flips the cornea back into place, and taped my husband's eyes closed. Next, he did the other eye.  Well, he finished in less than five minutes. My husbands eyes were taped shut and these honeycomb looking things were placed over both eyes, along with those big huge glasses you see the elderly people wearing. And voila! That was it. He was given a sedative which helped him sleep when we got home.  He had to wear those honeycomb looking things overnight, but it didn't bother him because he was knocked out from the sedative. He also had plenty of eyedrops. Well, a week later he had a follow up appt. and his vision was incredible!!!!  I hope you decide to do it. And over the years, LASIK has become more and more affordable.  Here's to a speedy recovery.