Should I get LASIK eye surgery before or after Basic Training?

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:54:43 -0400

I'm 17 and I ship out in about a year

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 6 at 2017 12:59 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:59:40 -0400

To avoid paperwork complications, it'd be best to weight until after basic training.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 6 at 2017 1:00 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:00:59 -0400

Private RallyPoint Member: I would wait until After Basic Training; to get the Lasik eye surgery.
Many Prayers and Good Luck to you, young man-
Margaret

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Jul 6 at 2017 1:02 PM

SSgt Holden M. — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:02:30 -0400

Just like the others have said wait until after basic and really wait until you get to your first assignment. You don't need to give them any reason to kick you out/disqualify you from being able to serve.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 1:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:17:05 -0400

Wait until after basic and you get to your first unit. For one, they might not let you go if you just got it. Two - then you don't have to pay for it or your parents.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 1:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:25:44 -0400

Definitely wait until after basic and spend your time researching your options. First, I know a number of Soldiers who had their surgery covered by the Army, mainly due to how bad their eyesight was. Second, a military medical professional would be able to tell you ALL the other options and the specific risks pertaining to service members. LASIK is no longer your only corrective option; therefore, I highly recommend you look into PRK, which is an alternative to LASIK and is pretty common among service members.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 1:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:55:40 -0400

My vote is after. The glasses they give you to wear are doable. Plus, I believe TriCare will cover lasik eye surgery too.

Response by PO1 Mike Edgecomb made Jul 6 at 2017 2:10 PM

PO1 Mike Edgecomb — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 14:10:43 -0400

Covered in DODI 6130.03, A

180 days must have passed since surgery, and you will have issues if any of the following apply:

c. Cornea:
Corneal dystrophy or degeneration of any type (371.x), including but not limited to keratoconus
(371.6x) of any degree.
SMPG: Keratoconus can be reliably diagnosed by a complete ophthalmologic evaluation and
corneal topography.

(2) History of any incisional corneal surgery including, but not limited to, partial or full
thickness corneal transplant, radial keratotomy (RK), astigmatic keratotomy (AK), or corneal
implants (Intacs®)

(3) Corneal refractive surgery performed with an excimer laser, including but not limited
to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) (HCPCS S0810), laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK),
and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) (HCPCS S0900) (ICD-9 code for each is
P11.7) if any of the following conditions are met:

(a) Pre-surgical refractive error in either eye exceeded a spherical equivalent of +8.00
or -8.00 diopters.

(b) Pre-surgical astigmatism exceeded 3.00 diopters.
SMPG: If records of pre-surgical refractive error cannot be obtained, the applicant does not meet
the standard

(c) For corneal refractive surgery, at least 180 days recovery period has not occurred
between last refractive surgery or augmenting procedure and accession medical examination.
SMPG: MEPS exam is not authorized until the 180 day recovery period has passed.

(d) There have been complications and/or medications or ophthalmic solutions, or
any other therapeutic interventions such as sunglasses, are required.
SMPG: A complication exists if haze, glare, star burst, halos, ghosts, double images, night
vision difficulty, worsening refractive error, infection, or other condition persists beyond the 180
day recovery period. Regular use of ophthalmic solutions or required use of indoor sunglasses
beyond the 180 day post-op period does not meet the standard. Keratitis does not meet the
standard until treatment is complete. Corneal neovascularization or opacification that is
progressive or impairs vision below standards does not meet the standard.

(e) Post-surgical refraction in each eye is not stable as demonstrated by at least two
separate refractions at least 1 month apart, with initial refraction at least 90 days post-procedure,
and the most recent of which demonstrates more than +/- 0.50 diopters difference for spherical
vision and/or more than +/- 0.50 diopters for cylinder vision.
SMPG: If post-op refractions were not done according to the standard, the applicant will provide
the FIRST manifest refraction 30 days before processing and the MEPS will consult for the
SECOND manifest refraction.

(4) Current or recurrent keratitis (370.xx)

(5) Documented herpes simplex virus keratitis (054.42, 054.43).
(6) Current corneal neovascularization, unspecified (370.60), or corneal opacification
(371.00, 371.03) from any cause that is progressive or reduces vision below the standards
prescribed in this Instruction.

(7) Current or history of uveitis or iridocyclitis (364.00-364.3).
SMPG: Uveitis is inflammation of the eye between the retina and the sclera (iris, ciliary body,
vitreous, and choroid). Iridocyclitis involves the iris and ciliary body. Uveitis is associated with
infections, eye injury, and autoimmune disorders, but commonly may be idiopathic.
d. Retina: Current or history of any abnormality of the retina (361.00-362.89, 363.14-
363.22), choroid (363.00-363.9) or vitreous (379.2x).

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 6 at 2017 2:36 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 14:36:27 -0400

As others have mentioned, don't risk any medical disqualification (temporary or permanent) that could delay, nullify, or prevent your enlistment. If the MEPS doctor has already blessed you off as medically qualified, don't do anything to yourself to change that.

Response by SSG Ronald Bloodworth made Jul 6 at 2017 3:02 PM

SSG Ronald Bloodworth — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:02:00 -0400

Wait until after. It's much less complicated that way. I know a good number who have had lasik done and other who had PRK done. So t know the pros & cons of either one but the guys I know who had them done seemed to be satisfied with the results. And yes, they were in the Army with me and some still are....

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 4:13 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:13:33 -0400

As a current recruiter... wait! lol it's a LOT of paperwork and waivers to get you in if you do it before. Also, the Army will do PRK (which is better than lasik in my opinion). I had it done and it's awesome!

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Jul 6 at 2017 4:20 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:20:01 -0400

Get it after, You really don't want to see what happens in Basic

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 6 at 2017 7:10 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:10:22 -0400

Wait like most on here are saying and look at PRK. Lasik permanently weakens your eye where as PRK does not.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 7 at 2017 12:47 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 12:47:04 -0400

AFTER! If you are currently in the DEP/DTP do NOT get any surgeries without realizing you are placing your career in jeopardy. Second, why would you want to pay for it yourself when you will be able to have it covered by the military by waiting?

As a practical matter, if everything goes totally wrong and you end up blind...read the fine print...if you did it before you were in BCT/OSUT you are F...not in a good place.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 4:35 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 16:35:17 -0500

The Army does not like LASIK.
PRK is conducted by the Army. They require that you hold a prescription for one year to adjust eyes to surgically correctable prescription.
Save your money! Have the Army do the procedure for you!

Work on other things like getting/staying in shape. I recommend 75 pushups and 75 sit-ups, and a 3 mile jog daily for 6 days a week. stretch a lot!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 4:36 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 16:36:26 -0500

Get that BCG experience!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 5:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 17:57:48 -0500

I'd be careful - not just military career wise, but eye-wise. Just careful.