Your regional contractor depends on where you live. We had an over 99 percent 20/20 or better outcomes, post-surgery for both LASIK and PRK patients. aviation concerns. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo purchase before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. It also has a history of being more widely accepted for special roles like aviation. Pharmacy services and TRICARE select plans can incur extra costs. Since 2000, the Defense Department has approved these surgeries for most jobs in the military and now have eye clinics that perform these procedures for active-duty personnel in all service branch hospitals. If you are a retired service member, you will order your glasses from the Navy Ophthalmic Support Training Activity Command. This doesnt mean LASIK insurance is 100 percent unavailable. "Vision impacts so much of what we do in the military, and having problems with glasses or contact lenses, especially in a deployed environment, can cause a host of problems," said Air Force Lt. Col. James Townley, refractive surgery consultant. This procedure is available to all active-duty service members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines under the DODs Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery (WRESP) program. The information provided on this page should not be used in place of information provided by a doctor or specialist. Uniformed active-duty military service members. To reprint or license this article or any content from Military.com, please submit your request. monitoring of patients to evaluate the long-term effects of laser eye Please email completed packets to: usarmy.westpoint.medcom-kach.mbx.refractive-surgery@health.mil . Similar studies involving Soldiers who have had LASIK are being conducted in Special Forces courses. Most military branches accept PRK or LASIK with waivers and special restrictions. Dr. Joe Pasternak, a retired Navy captain, recalled that when he was a midshipman, it was crushing to his classmates to discover their dependency on glasses would eliminate their preferred career selection if it was in aviation, Seals, Special Forces, explosives ordinance and demolition, etc. to provide custom surgery in an effort to achieve postoperative results occur later on. Additionally, the Army provides laser eye surgery as a Besides the high risk of breaking or loss in austere environments, reliance on eyewear can work against you in a host of other scenarios in the military. The study evaluated factors such as weapons sighting ability and ability to function at night. In all cases, performance indicators improved after surgery. The treatment is minimally invasive and requires no flap like LASIK. nearest Army facility to receive the surgery. 307 0 obj <>/Encrypt 243 0 R/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[242 170]/Info 241 0 R/Length 203/Prev 976962/Root 244 0 R/Size 412/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Generally, this includes services and supplies needed to diagnose and treat an eye illness or injury. There are 12 Army installations providing Laser Eye Surgery (both PRK Do your research, schedule consultations, and select the most highly-qualified LASIK surgeon, one who has experience with first responders and their needs, if possible. The DOD set up 26 military laser facilities for this. also extremely experienced with the procedure, performing well over 100,000 LASIK and PRK are two safe, effective vision correction procedures that can improve your vision without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. For LASIK, a surgical instrument cuts a flap in the corneal Most people who undergo laser vision correction achieve 20/20 vision and almost all will have 20/40 vision to help you pass your mandatory MEPS physical prior to joining OCS. 0 Shop NowFind Eye Doctor Conditions Conditions Eye Conditions, A-Z Eye Conditions, A-Z Featured Blurry Vision They also perform comprehensive pre and post operative While LASIK and PRK are now both accepted by most military branches, PRK and its close cousin ASA is the most common and is embedded in military culture. This is an excellent Its not 1980. PRK or other methods of surface treatment have been acceptable (within guidelines as specified) since at least the year 2000. If you're a blind or low vision Veteran, you may be able to get more advanced vision care and rehabilitation services. You can also contact a TRICARE representative directly for more information on plans, coverage options, payment information, and what services you can receive. "The military's vision standards were once a major potential hurdle for those who wanted to serve in programs that required near-perfect vision. ;,DT UgXHX;0 6.X.UqjEVX}F\ot@Q2YnE`1-YDBC6`' xHt O l~eSA 3^nPdG&. Air Force Maj. Bill Gensheimer, chief of ophthalmology at the Warfighter Eye Center at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, said, "Refractive surgery in the military provides a combat edge in vision. Distant vision that can be corrected to at least 20/40 with eyeglasses, Near vision that can be corrected to at least 20/40 in the better eye, Refractive error (hyperopia or myopia) of not more than -8.00 or +8.00 diopters, Astigmatism of not more than 3.00 diopters, 20/400 uncorrected vision or better in both eyes, Refractive error of plus or minus 8.00 diopters or better. Now that you know what to consider if you are joining or in the military and considering LASIK. Profiles are given to optimize healing & minimize injury to the eyes after surgery. Imagine your glasses dislodging while youre in a firefight or on a parachute drop. Talk to your primary care provider to discuss your TRICARE health and vision coverage, and how your specific plan works. TRICARE vision coverage varies depending on your plan and military service level. Should You Get Corrective Vision Surgery Before or After Joining the Military? Other beneficiaries of TRICARE are only covered for glasses and contacts in the following circumstances: Glasses repair, cleaning, and adjustments are not covered services through TRICARE vision. A: If you live within a two-hour drive of the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), about 2 - 4 weeks. Here are some examples: The minimum vision specifications across all branches of the military are as follows: You cannot enlist in the U.S. military if your vision doesnt meet the above criteria. We now perform SMILE for active duty service members. Painless treatment: LASIK is a 30-minute painless procedure with a relatively quick recovery time. Everything You Need to Know, 57 percent of study participants improved their performance scores on overall individual readiness, 86 percent improved their scores on ability to utilize night vision goggles, 41 percent reported improved ability to contribute to the units mission. operations, infantry, field artillery and armor units. You must be either a: Vision coverage can include eye exams and prescription eyewear, dependent on your chosen plan and eligibility. Here are some of the benefits to choosing LASIK as a mode of vision correction: Eliminates the need to carry glasses or contact lenses. Continue to research the procedure and find out if it is the right choice for you. Understanding with firsthand knowledge the challenges of glasses and the benefits of refractive surgery in the combat environment, Rogers was enthusiastic to offer this life-changing surgery to as many cadets as were medically qualified at the USMA. "The longer they go without it, the less time they have to enjoy life without glasseswe are ready when they are," he stated. PRKs recovery time is longer, with initial recovery spanning 3-5 days and full recovery taking up to a month. Should I get laser eye surgery now or wait until I have enlisted and get it done in the Navy? | If you need prescription eyewear, your coverage through TRICARE vision will depend on who you are. The benefits are obvious: when a soldier is in the field, glasses and contacts are a liability. There are ongoing studies involving students in Flight School, as well as experienced aviators, who have had either LASIK or PRK surgery. Other corrective laser eye procedures like PRK and ASA become much more common, however. **No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Sister Site: Cruise Ship Review, At least 18 months remaining in active duty military service at the time Rogers was a Special Forces surgeon for more than three years with 3rd Special Forces Group and 5th Special Forces Group. endstream endobj 250 0 obj <>stream Remember, LASIK cuts a flap Tricare, the health care program for military service members and their families, does not cover LASIK surgery unless deemed medically necessary by a Tricare-approved physician. Fort Campbell, KentuckyBlanchfield Army Community Hospital At the laser surgery center, each surgical candidate undergoes an extensive evaluation, usually lasting about two hours, including dilation of the pupil. For most people, the treated eye needs from a few days to six weeks to heal. endstream endobj 249 0 obj <>/Subtype/Form/Type/XObject>>stream Standards may differ between active duty personnel and new candidates. Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) work by using laser technology to reshape the cornea to reduce or eliminate the visual irregularities that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism. 1. Free Lasik For US Soldiers - USAEyes tissue grows back in a few days). After graduation, I was able to enter training and today serve the Navy as a lieutenant flying the MH-60R helicopter. The routine eye exam includes vision and eye health screening as well as prescriptions for glasses when needed. Usually that means having perfect vision and anything short of that can stymie your dream of flying. PRK is approved for Accessibility/Section 508 in need of more laser eye surgery study participants and can typically centers are examining night vision quality, effects of altitude and other Candidates who had LASIK performed on them were automatically disqualified from consideration. Before signing up for eye surgery, talk with your officer recruiter to understand what restrictions might be in place for the roles youre considering. Army Enlisted Promotions may still be able to receive laser eye surgery. These facilities perform the typical PRK and LASIK surgeries provided Every NVISION patient is different. LASIK surgery and eye surgery that is not deemed medically necessary are not covered by TRICARE vision plans. All rights reserved. Improved vision through surgery allows for the utmost safety of you and your future military team. Many patients see better after LASIK than with their glasses or contacts. Plans differ depending on your level of service, age, and your sponsor (such as if you are active duty or retired, or your family member is active duty). Your plan will dictate if you need a referral or prior authorization for vision services and treatment. Ryan Ryan -- My answer does not address your ability to get eye surgery performed by military doctors once you are active duty. For example, Walter Reed Army Medical Center is Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com. The eligibility window can vary by military branch and specialty. Now, hundreds of studies of pilots, NFOs and special operators have met qualified vision standards and maintained safety performing their jobs at altitude and under diving pressure. Did you know you can get corrective eye surgery like LASIK, PRK, or SMILE for FREE by being in the military? LASIK is considered to be an elective surgery and therefore not covered through most insurance plans. If you need a prescription for contacts, this requires a separate appointment. Falls Church, VA, July 12, 2021 - Maintaining near perfect vision is vital to any warfighter. Most dependents qualify for one eye exam a year with Tricare coverage. Completing half a planned workout is better than nothing. Sign up to receive TRICARE updates and news releases via email. You can have this laser eye surgery to correct nearsightedness, astigmatism, or farsightedness, whether youre in the military or looking to join one of the branches of service. "During ROTC [Reserve Officer Training Course], I realized that my dependence on glasses, since age 10, would keep me from reaching my dream of becoming a naval aviator," explained Navy Lt. Cmdr.
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