Why are candidates who have had PRK surgery eligible for more than those who have had LASIK?
by scubaboy on Thursday, October 14th, 2010 | 4 Comments
“In the USA candidates who have had PRK can get a blanket waiver for the Special Forces Qualification, Combat Diving Qualification and Military Free Fall courses. PRK and LASIK are both waived for Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger schools. However, those who have had LASIK must enroll in an observational study, if a slot is available, to undergo training in Special Forces qualification. LASIK is disqualifying/non-waiverable for several United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) schools (HALO, SCUBA, SERE). Army Regulation 40-501″
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photorefractive_keratectomy
because the later is more stable and will effect his job less
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It is the way the procedures are done. With PRK, the layer covering the cornea is removed with PRK and allowed to grow back. With LASIK, the covering is just folded back, and then allowed to flap back over.
There have been instances if the flap becoming dislodged from an eye trauma, therefore they are reluctant to allow LASIK patients into jobs where this type of “trauma” is possible and likely.
There is a huge difference in the way the surgery’s are done.
In PRK, the laser, removes material from the surface of the cornea, flattening it out, to produce better vision. The cornea is not removed.
In Lasik, they cut a circular flap in the cornea, fold the flap back, then remove material from the cornea, and refold the flap back over the removed material.
Lasik surgery sees results quicker ( IE: immediately and it causes less pain) , But it also weakens the cornea more, especially the flap that was cut.
PRK surgery, can take weeks or months before vision stabilizes, as the surface of your cornea heals, but since there was no flap cut, it is more stable. Your cornea remains solid.
2. The services are constantly updating the regulations on both, due to new studies that have been done.
IE: the Air Force just finished a study and the navy is currently in the middle of a study.
3. But it comes down to the military think PRK leaves the eye in better shape with more structural integrity than Lasik surgery does, due to the flap cut during lasik surgery.