Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek
What are the differences between the two procedures and what does PRK stand for?
PRK and LASIK are essentially the same laser procedure. The difference is in how they get the laser to the Cornea. In Lasik, they cut a flap in the outer layer of the cornea(either with a blade or another laser and peel the flap back, zap your eyes, put the flap back and it heals.
PRK, they scrub the outer layer away(corneal abrasion) zap your eyes, put a soft contact lense over the abrasion for 5 days until it heals and walaa. As LAFF said, there is a fair amount of pain in PRK but he's spot on, if you stay ahead of the pain meds you're golden. One thing to check before you do it. THe Navy and I'm sure the AF have strict guidelines as to how far your eyes can be off with respect to diopters and other parameters before they will allow a PRK waiver. I have a friend who flies up at SPI and wanted to get into Navy OCS. He did and got a flight spot only to get told there that he wasnt' waiverable. Big screw upon the Navy's part and wasted alot of time and money.
Here's the navy's waiver guide on PRK:
WAIVER:
PRK:
General guidelines:
- 1. A waiver may be submitted no earlier than:
U.S. Navy Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide Ophthalmology - 19
-
- a. 3 months for myopia less than -6.00 diopters spherical equivalent (SE)
- b. 6 months for myopia greater than or equal to -6.00 diopters SE
- c. 6 months for hyperopia (SE) measured under cycloplegia
- 2. Visual Acuity - each eye with or without corrective lenses must be:
- a. Class I - 20/20-0/10 letters
- b. Class II and III - 20/20-3/10 letters or better
- c. Corrective lenses must be worn while flying if needed to achieve the VA standard
- 3. A normal postoperative slit lamp exam
- 4. There must be no symptoms that would be cause for concern when considering the performance of the member’s usual flight duties
- 5. If topical medication is still required (other than artificial tears) then restriction of flight activities to the local area would be prudent
- 6. An enhancement or "touch-up" must meet the same guidelines.
Additional guidelines:
Applicants:
- 1. May obtain PRK at their expense from civilian sources of care.
- 2. Pre-operative refractive error measured under cycloplegia must not exceed - 8.00 to + 3.00 (SE) and 3.00 diopters of cylinder.
- 3. Anisometropia should not exceed 3.50 diopters (using SE for each eye).
- 4. SNA applicants must meet refractive, cycloplegic, and vision standards postoperatively.
Active duty designated aviation personnel:
- 1. Shall be treated at a DOD refractive surgery center.
- 2. Following review and endorsement by two local flight surgeons, and an optometrist or ophthalmologist and concurrence of the commanding officer, the CRS/PRK AMS template may serve as a LBFS and a 90-day aeromedical clearance notice may be issued.
- 3. The flight surgeon shall submit the completed CRS AMS in accordance with the instructions located on the top of the form.
Selected Reserve designated aviators
- 1. May obtain PRK at their expense from civilian sources of care.
- 2. An Aviation CRS (PRK) Request and the pre-operative evaluation shall be submitted to NAMI Ophthalmology before CRS surgery.
- 3. Approval to proceed requires written permission from the unit commander, unit flight surgeon, and NAMI Ophthalmology.