Editor's Note: All of the services offer limited laser eye surgery for military members. See our Military Laser Eye Surgery Information Page for details. Our favorite sea-going sailor, STG1 Patrick Long was recently selected for one of these limited surgeries.
In mid 2003, the ship (USS Porter DDG-78) was informed that it would be “Ship of the Month” for December 2003 by the Navy Refractive Surgery Center at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia. This meant that there would be 20 confirmed billets for laser correction eye surgery. If one wished, it would be possible to be considered for either of the two options – PRK or LASIK - it was necessary to screen for qualification. The preliminary requirements were given to us as:
- Don't have eyes that are outside the acceptable parameters (prohibitions include a strong stigmatism, vision better than 20/70, or vision too bad -- normally greater than 20/600
- Don't have a history of eye trauma/surgery.
- Don't have a script that has changed radically over the past 2 years.
PRK -- or Photorefractive Keratectomy – an outpatient corneal surgery that can reduce or correct mild to moderate myopia. This is done by use of a laser that precisely reshapes the cornea. The goal of PRK is to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK -- (Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis), which is an advanced laser procedure combining ALK and PRK to reshape the central cornea. The refractive surgeon uses an automated microkeratome to shave off a thin, hinged layer of the cornea. This flap is then lifted like a hinged door and the exposed surface is reshaped using the excimer laser. After altering the corneal curvature, the flap is replaced and adheres without stitches.
Having been wearing glasses since 4th grade, I was interested in seeing if I could qualify for the procedure. In September, I was screened, and approved as a candidate. There were only twenty billets (open slots), which meant there may be a lottery for the billets.
In November, I was notified that there would be no lottery, only enough had screened to fill the available billets. My surgery was to be on the 15th of December… provided I passed the pre-operative (hereafter, “pre-op”) examination the previous week. There were requirements to still be met for the pre-op screening. It was necessary to have a copy of the ‘NMCP REFRACTIVE SURGERY REQUEST FORM’ - completely filled out, down to and including the chain of command approval required by the command. We had to bring the completed form and medical record to the pre-op appointment. As well, it was necessary to bring (in the medical record, or a copy from a civilian doctor) an eye exam that is at least one year old, to the pre-op appointment.
From the Pre-op instructions:
If you are wearing soft contact lenses, please discontinue use two weeks prior to your pre-op appointment. If you are wearing hard (gas permeable) contact lenses, please discontinue use one month before your pre-op appointment. All contact lenses change the shape of the cornea. Failure to discontinue contact lens wear prior to the pre-op exam can result in permanent incorrect laser treatment to your eyes.
As part of the exam, your pupils will be dilated. You may experience decreased near vision after being dilated, as well as sensitivity to light for three to five hours.
Important information for female patients: If you expect to be either three days pre or postmenstrual, or on your cycle on the surgery date, we will not be able to provide you with surgery (this is due to corneal edema). Treatment during this time will result in a sub-optimal outcome. (Modification of the cycle with BCP’s is acceptable; please speak with your OB/GYN or your SMO for guidance if needed). If this will be an issue for you, please let your medical department know. You will be rescheduled for a mutually agreeable timeframe.
Important information regarding smallpox vaccines: If you have been given a smallpox vaccine within the 30 days prior to your surgery date, we will not be able to provide you with this surgery. Additionally, the smallpox vaccine is contraindicated in patients while still taking steroid eye drops after surgery (this is typically 1-4 months after treatment). Let your medical department know if this applies to you.
