Does any one know the procedure for LASIK for a reservist?

2016-04-18T18:35:48-04:00

Does anyone know the regulation or the procedures to do either LASIK or PRK as a reservist that is paying for a private doctor to do the procedure?
I see active duty can get it for free , and there are specific ways of getting it. But in my case I want to do it privately, and I want to ensure I don't jeopardize myself with just going out and doing it. Any pointers would help

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 6:52 PM

2016-04-18T18:52:28-04:00

Honestly sir, to the best of my knowledge, you should just need to run it by your Company Commander. You will probably be asked about your post op limitations and recovery time, and I would try to plan it so as to not miss any Battle Assemblies. I do not have a specific source for you, but I am the AGR Battalion Medical NCOIC for my unit and that is the route I would recommend for any of my soldiers, Sir.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 18 at 2016 6:53 PM

2016-04-18T18:53:12-04:00

CPT Enrique M. I would look into this program called eye med insurance. Nice deal here.
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Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 18 at 2016 11:19 PM

2016-04-18T23:19:00-04:00

It's like getting your teeth done out in town. All the MIL side cares about is you're medically qualified. So if the last time you could see and the next time you can see, the MIL side has no interest. Same if you get your tonsils out. The caveat is if the recovery spans a drill weekend, you'll need to reschedule and likely have a Dr slip saying you're good to go as of a set date. This stuff happens all the time in the Reserve world. Presume your outside insurance is covering. You can look at the MIL side but your primary is what you have out in town.

Response by MSG Edwin Schuh made Apr 20 at 2016 6:02 AM

2016-04-20T06:02:19-04:00

15 years ago I just asked my Commander's permission.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 7:13 AM

2016-04-20T07:13:49-04:00

Make sure you have the documentation from the surgeon. Next time you have a PHA, the provider will likely place a permanent (but purely administrative) profile stating that you have had vision correction and that your PULHES vision designator will change to a 1.

I would suggest PRK over LASIK due to how it is performed.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 8:28 AM

2016-04-20T08:28:21-04:00

I'm a reservist and had surgery on my nose and sinuses performed a few years ago. Civilian hospital, doctor and insurance. I scheduled it around my drills. My doctor gave me a very detailed copy of his surgery report and I had that placed in my military medical file the next drill. Since then I have only been asked about it once on a PHA and then only asked if it was successful. Still fully medically ready.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 8:40 AM

2016-04-20T08:40:26-04:00

Sir, please keep everyone posted on how everything goes. I'm very interested in how things turnout. Been wondering on this very question myself. Good Luck

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 10:04 AM

2016-04-20T10:04:28-04:00

I actually went through this procedure myself and I simply just needed to alert my Commander of the surgery and inform him if recovery would interfere with my drill duty, which if you plan it properly it won't. It's generally a 2 week recovery time.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 12:09 PM

2016-04-20T12:09:17-04:00

I had that done (by a private doctor, paid for by me) when I was still in ROTC. I ran it by my HR guy who said I was good to go, just needed to sign some forms, but not the commander. He flipped when he found out I had it done. Make sure you let him know—there's no harm in passing it by him at least. ALSO, make sure you give yourself something like 90 days before any big training or schools. This really ought not to be an issue, but sometimes schools are picky about time frames with you having had medical procedures recently, even if medically it wouldn't alter your performance.

Response by Brig Gen Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 2:28 PM

2016-04-20T14:28:25-04:00

The only time the Air Force cares is if you are Flight Crew . . then they care A LOT, and you have to check with your flight surgeon on exactly how to get this done.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 8:40 PM

2016-04-20T20:40:59-04:00

I had lasik while on AD. A navy ophthalmologist sent me to a private MD, who did tiger woods. I got a military discount. As AD, I needed to get a work release/approval for the time off. I would just check to make sure LASIK is OK for your military job, and wouldn't disqualify you.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 21 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-04-21T18:29:39-04:00

Two of my friends got this done. Maybe 1SG Private RallyPoint Member can help.

Response by SSG Lance Sawyer made Apr 21 at 2016 10:04 PM

2016-04-21T22:04:35-04:00

I had my eyes fixed, and like others have commented all my unit wanted to know was if everything went ok. My current platoon sergeant, and the one before him both had the surgery before me. They were the ones who suggested it to me.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2016 12:27 PM

2016-04-24T12:27:59-04:00

As SSG Carlos Madden mentioned I had the procedure done in 2008. Never officially notified my COC as I had it done on a weekend and the only follow up was eye drops every few hours or so. On a drill weekend this didn't really effect my normal duties. When it came to my SRP I simply notified the eye doctor and it was annotated in mtly medical file. Pretty simple. The only thing I wasn't completely prepared for during the procedure was them essentially clamping my eyes open until it was finished. They did flush my eyes with water throughout to compensate for my inability to blink.

Response by CPT Enrique M. made May 3 at 2016 10:27 AM

2016-05-03T10:27:56-04:00

Just a quick update. I am now in line in June to do PRK :( stupid corneas are 480 microns thick with a -4.50 on my prescription. Therefore i will be out for least 2 weeks grr!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 7:06 PM

2017-09-26T19:06:59-04:00

Sir, did you have the procedure? I am considering it and would be curious to hear about your experience.