Posted on Aug 31, 2015
What are the pros/cons of getting Lasic or PRK surgery through the military?
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I am considering having lasik/PRK surgery and wanted to get people's opinion. Only for folks who have actually had the surgery, is there any advice you would offer?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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I had it done in 2003. There were immediate payoff, but now my vision is getting poorer and I need reading glasses for just about everything.
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SGT (Join to see)
Good to know, 1stSgt. If you don't mind my asking (respectfully, of course), could it be that your age might have something to do with the change in your eye sight? I know that it changes naturally over time.
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SSG Warren Swan
You hit the nail on the head. Had mine done in 2011, and it was instant 20/10. Years later, I'm noticing that I cannot see things that are close to me. Haven't broken down and bought the glasses yet...but I know its coming.
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1stSgt (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - I was 38 when I had it done. For me the biggest shocker is that Lasik resets your "cornea baseline" for lack of a better term. The need for reading glasses for me started after about 3 years. I wore glasses for OEF 2002 and it sucked. I was in Iraq in 2004 and it was awesome. Now as a college student, going from blackboard to notebook/textbook is a problem that requires transitional trifocals. But, no one is shooting at me, so how bad can it be.
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I had PRK back in 2001 after 9/11. The Army said if you were SOF or involved in any type of Airborne type operation (ABN or AASLT) you were getting it done if you qualified; whether or not you wanted it. Now, here we are 14 years later and I'm still 20/20 up close and at distance; however, I have some issue with nearsightedness as I grow older (no fix other than the necessity for reading glasses). I actually suffered from most all the side effects of the early procedure (halos, sensitivity to light, tired eyes, dryness, etc). To this day I still suffer from those issues. I had a horrible time in Iraq in 2003 with the heat, fine dust. UV, bright sun, etc... I carried eye drops in my pocket and used them religiously for 3 years until had plugs put into my tear ducts to keep my tears in my eyes longer.
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I had PRK, and I have had nearly perfect distance vision since then. The surgery was not approved in the US yet, so I went to Canada to do it. I do not regret it at all.
I do have a problem with near vision now. I need reading glasses, but I use the lowest power I can find so it doesn't get any worse.
I can't say anything about getting it through the military, they wouldn't cover it for a Reservist or a mobilized Reservist.
I do have a problem with near vision now. I need reading glasses, but I use the lowest power I can find so it doesn't get any worse.
I can't say anything about getting it through the military, they wouldn't cover it for a Reservist or a mobilized Reservist.
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