Laser Eye Surgery & the U.S. Military
Intending to join Officer Candidate School (OCS) with the goal of flying a helicopter or jet?
Whether you plan on being a Navy fighter pilot, an Air Force rescue officer, or an Army sniper, you’ll need excellent visual acuity to qualify for special roles. Usually that means having perfect vision – and anything short of that can stymie your dream of flying. That’s the bad news.
The good news? It’s not 1980. No matter if you’re near-sighted, far-sighted, or have astigmatism, your vision can typically be surgically corrected to meet stringent vision requirements.
By undergoing laser eye surgery before joining, you can have an upper-hand in qualifying for these top jobs. You won’t have to go on a waitlist or spend years working in a supporting role waiting for your surgery.
Having near 20/20 vision can change the trajectory of your military career – and your life.
That’s why it’s important to consider getting Laser Eye Surgery prior to joining the United States Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Army, National Guard, and certain other careers in law enforcement (including in the NYPD).
Most people who undergo laser vision correction achieve 20/20 vision and almost all will have 20/40 vision to help you pass your mandatory MEPS physical prior to joining OCS.
Which is the best laser eye surgery for the military?
While LASIK and PRK are now both accepted by most military branches, PRK – and its close cousin ASA – is the most common and is embedded in military culture. PRK has been and continues to be the go-to eye corrective surgery in the military. It also has a history of being more widely accepted for special roles like aviation.
A big part of why PRK is preferred is because there’s less risk for long-term complications, such as night vision issues and dry eyes. Why? LASIK involves cutting a flap from the top layer of the cornea (epithelium). The flap can cause light to scatter when it enters the eye, causing glare or a halo effect that is especially problematic at night. Because LASIK also involves cutting the corneal nerves, patients blink less post-surgery, which can cause a persistent feeling of dry eyes.
Both night vision problems and dry eyes (which can happen with LASIK) can be dangerous for military members and their teams, especially if they’re flying, sniping, spotting, or leading a mission – particularly at night.
What about recovery times?
PRK’s recovery time is longer, with initial recovery spanning 3-5 days and full recovery taking up to a month. LASIK patients usually recover within a week.
But regardless of the surgery you choose, recovery time isn’t as crucial prior to joining. You’ll likely have a required waiting period before you do your pre-entry physical at MEPS. They want to ensure your vision is improved and your eyes have fully healed. In many cases, the waiting period is one year from your eye surgery date, but might be as little as six months depending on your branch.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Moskowitz to discuss your options.
Can I get LASIK for OCS?
You can get LASIK for OCS, but PRK and other similar procedures that do not rely on a cut – such as Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) – are more widely accepted. Before signing up for eye surgery, talk with your officer recruiter to understand what restrictions might be in place for the roles you’re considering.
Is LASIK legal for the military?
While LASIK used to be a disqualifier for special positions in the military, it is now widely accepted. Other corrective laser eye procedures like PRK and ASA become much more common, however.
What are the risks with LASIK?
In theory, LASIK surgery is a safe procedure that involves cutting a thin flap of your cornea’s top layer. With any surgery, however, there are possible complications – and these complications take on a greater significance in life-or-death scenarios. Night vision problems and dry eye symptoms are the most common issues with LASIK. PRK and ASA, on the other hand, don’t involve cutting the cornea, and patients are less likely to have complications.
Are there alternatives to LASIK for the military and NYPD?
PRK and ASA are two corrective laser eye surgery alternatives. They don’t involve cutting the corneal flap, resulting in long-term improved vision with fewer possible issues (especially in the long run). PRK is more widely accepted across military branches.
Thanks to laser eye surgery, military members can have near-perfect eyesight without having to worry about glasses or contacts in the air, under water, or on land. Improved vision through surgery allows for the utmost safety of you and your future military team.
Timeline of Laser Eye Surgery & the Military
Military Doctors have been performing and evaluating laser eye surgery for decades to help ensure the safety of its rank and file while also contributing to research and important advancements in the field.
Here’s an abridged history of laser eye surgery and the United States Armed Services.
Note: Because qualifications can change at any time, be sure to check with your officer recruiter or specific branch guidelines before scheduling your laser eye surgery.
1995
U.S. Military begins conducting laser eye surgeries.
1997
Air Force and some other branches permit PRK surgery. Candidates who had LASIK performed on them were automatically disqualified from consideration.
2000 to 2004
PRK is accepted by almost all military branches.
2005 to 2009
Military branches, including the Navy*, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force, rescind the LASIK disqualifier. PRK and LASIK were both deemed acceptable for most branches and positions, though some stigma remained with LASIK.
2009 - Present:
Most military branches accept PRK or LASIK with waivers and special restrictions.
*Navy SEALs have specific vision requirements. And the Air National Guard sets its visual acuity standards by state and some states may consider LASIK a disqualifier.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Moskowitz to discuss your laser eye surgery.
Important Disclaimer: The above information should not serve as the main source regarding laser eye surgery and service in any branch of the military or law enforcement. Each organization decides their own requirements for vision correction. Standards may differ between active duty personnel and new candidates. We encourage you to find the current requirements for the division and department you intend to join.