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If NFL football players,
police and firefighters can have it, why not soldiers?
"It" is
laser refractive surgery, an increasingly popular way to correct certain
vision problems and, for many, eliminate the need to wear glasses.
The Army had been
concerned about after-effects of the surgery in its soldiers, many of
whom routinely face physically rigorous field or combat conditions.
While there are limits
on the kinds of surgery aviation, special forces, diving and HALO (High-Altitude,
Low-Opening) students may have, the Army now allows the surgery for most
occupational specialties.
"After reviewing
what was known about the safety of laser refractive surgery in civilian
populations … the Army determined there was good reason to expect
safe results in its most valuable asset—the soldier," said
Col. William P. Madigan, ophthalmology consultant to the Army surgeon
general and practicing ophthalmologist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center,
Washington, D.C.
Availability of the
surgery in Army facilities is limited, however.
"Readiness is
the primary reason for offering laser surgery to soldiers," Madigan
said. "Soldiers perform better if they don't have to worry about
breaking eyeglasses, losing contact lenses, or glasses and lenses fogging
up at crucial moments. Moreover, compatibility of eyewear with night vision
goggles, gas masks, aiming devices and other systems is a constant source
of concern."
Criteria
for surgery
"Soldiers eligible
for surgery in Army facilities are prioritized according to operational
readiness criteria," Madigan explained. "Right now, the surgery
is only offered to active-duty soldiers."
Priorities are:
First,
combat arms soldiers assigned to a unit whose mission involves operations
at the line of battle or behind hostile lines (for example, special
operations, infantry, field artillery and armor battalions).
Second,
combat support and combat service support unit personnel who are currently
assigned to a division or separate brigade.
Third,
other active-duty personnel as space is available.
Additional criteria
include:
- At least 18 months
remaining on active duty at the time of surgery, or in conjunction with
an executed reenlistment.
- At least 12 months
in a first- or second-priority unit (as listed above).
- Ability to return
for follow-up visits for post-operative care as specified by the surgeon.
Reserve component
soldiers are not eligible for refractive eye surgery unless they meet
the criteria and priorities above.
"Retirees and
active-duty and retiree family members are only eligible for laser refractive
surgery on a space-available basis," said Jack Desmond, U.S. Army
Medical Command TRICARE operations directorate. "Laser refractive
surgery is not a covered benefit under TRICARE, so military beneficiaries
who go downtown to get the surgery do so at their own expense."
Types
of laser surgery
Army surgical centers
offer photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, and laser keratomileusis, or
LASIK. Patients should discuss these treatments and their appropriateness
with their physician, Madigan advised.
Locations
performing surgery
As of December 2002,
eight surgical centers will be open for business. These centers perform
LASIK and PRK surgeries.
Currently open are
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Tripler Army Medical
Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, N.C.;
Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas; and Blanchfield Army
Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Landstuhl Regional
Medical Center, Germany, is scheduled to open in May 2002; Madigan Army
Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Wash., in June 2002; and Brooke Army Medical
Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in December 2002.
Getting
on a waiting list
Soldiers who meet
the criteria for surgery should request the surgery through their unit
commander. Soldiers who are not located at an installation with an Army
surgical center cannot obtain surgery unless their commanders work out
an arrangement with an Army center.
More
information
Additional information
about the Army's Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery program and about the
surgical procedures is available from The
Walter Reed Program Center
Students who want
information about participation in aviation, special forces, diving and
HALO studies should contact the appropriate school; they should not receive
any laser treatment until doing so.
Above
Information Courtesy of United States Army
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