Can you get LASIK Surgery as an ROTC Cadet & have it paid for by the Military?

2018-12-16T04:09:01-05:00

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 4:17 AM

2018-12-16T04:17:35-05:00

Unless you are doing the Simultaneous Membership Program and drilling as a traditional reservist or guardsman/guardswoman would you be eligible for a tricare insurance program as a cadet. This being said the reserves and guard will most likely cover some but not all. It has to be approved just like any other medical procedure.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 8:27 AM

2018-12-16T08:27:52-05:00

do not just go and get lasik surgery. if you get the wrong Laskk surgery than you can get disenrolled from the program. if I was you I would just wait until you finish rotc because any change in medical will require a waiver.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 8:51 AM

2018-12-16T08:51:18-05:00

The answer is yes you can with a ton of caveats!

You first talk with your MS level instructor and ensure they know about the procedure and ID if they see an issue with it. Talk to your SMI and let them know you plan on doing it so they can help ID when would work with your cadet plan for summer training etc. then gain approval from the PMS so they are tracking and submit the medical waiver in a timely manner. Then talk with your HRA and ensure you have the right paperwork documentation submitted for the waiver and follow up timeline and procedure. It can take 2-8 months for anwaiver to be approved so that must be a factor in your planning if you are seeking a scholarship, contracting, summer training and or commissioning.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 8:55 AM

2018-12-16T08:55:43-05:00

I have had several fellow officers who have had the Army provided PRK. There is a reason the Army uses the far more expensive surgery, which it doesn't have the issues where the flap created can come loose due to impact. As others have mentioned, a wrong choice here can end your career before it starts so I would stick with waiting till you commission and doing it through the Army.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 9:28 AM

2018-12-16T09:28:36-05:00

I'm not sure about paying for it for cadets. The military does PRK not LASIK though.
You'd definitely have to be contracted first and it would have to go through the PMS, just like it has to go through your commander once you are in the military. Ask the PMS and see what he says.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 9:55 AM

2018-12-16T09:55:44-05:00

Wait until you finish ROTC, if you already contracted there can be some hinderances, because in all reality you're still technically be in training status. Continue to wear your corrective lens. I had eye surgery 6 months ago it takes a full year for them to lift the actual profile and three month from the surgery to finish the post op appointments to lift a PT profile and allow you to perform normal duties. Unless you have a progressing eye disease like keratoconus like I did...don't risk it!

This is not to discourage you I promise, this is my best advice to you... I want you to make the right decision. Corrective lens are better than no vision at all, just hang in there for a little bit longer.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 11:06 AM

2018-12-16T11:06:53-05:00

Nope! You’re a cadet, not a service member yet. I know a former cadet that couldn’t go to advance camp do to a recent LASIK surgery. I would stay away from doing that as a cadet if I were you!!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 16 at 2018 2:19 PM

2018-12-16T14:19:12-05:00

Also be a bit shrewd. The surgery going south at this stage can get you tossed. If you're in and the MIL side performs/sponsors the procedure and it goes south, they're responsible for the disability aspects of it. If you're good to go right now with glasses, let it sit until it makes sense to better CYA.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Dec 16 at 2018 6:05 PM

2018-12-16T18:05:07-05:00

The military will not pay for it. Also if you get it done without talking to someone, it can have adverse affects on you. Any change in your medical condition will require a medical determination. This could cause you to defer going to Advanced Camp or even commissioning. I have seen both happen in my program. Talk to your instructor, PMS, or HRA before you get it done so you know how it could affect your future.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 9:12 PM

2018-12-16T21:12:04-05:00

Why would you want to do that DURING school? That may set you back especially if there are complications. Best advice- wait until you’re done then get the procedure. You won’t be able to do any physical activity for a while after the procedure or go to the field etc. I’m not sure how it works with ROTC but it’s not worth it to do it during school unless you know you don’t have any crucial training or events coming up.

Response by LTC Martin Metz made Dec 16 at 2018 10:48 PM

2018-12-16T22:48:45-05:00

I'm not so sure LASIK is worth betting your career on. There's apparently about 8 of 10 surgeries that have no problems. The rest start from mild inconvenience to major issues. I'll stick with wearing glasses. “ 'Do bad outcomes sometimes occur? Yes. But the risk is extremely low,' Dr. Eric Donnenfeld, former president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery has said. But for the few who do endure bad outcomes, the results can be devastating."

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-news-lasik-eye-surgery-death-jessica-starr-20181213-story.html

What to know about Lasik eye surgery following the suicide of Detroit meteorologist Jessica Starr...

Studies show that 96% of patients are satisfied with the outcome of their Lasik eye surgeries - but for the rest, the results can be devastating.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Dec 20 at 2018 9:45 AM

2018-12-20T09:45:49-05:00

It is elective surgery and as an ROTC Cadet, you are only covered medically in certain circumstances, none of which would this surgery come under.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2018 1:58 PM

2018-12-25T13:58:36-05:00

Short answer no because you’re not eligiable for Tricare yet (unless you’re guard/reserves). The moment you finish bolc and get to your first duty station put in for it and you’ll most likely be eligibable for refractive eye surgery

Response by LTC James McElreath made Jan 14 at 2019 9:13 PM

2019-01-14T21:13:41-05:00

No, no chance as you are not on active and many permanent bases do not provide the service.