US Air Force Laser Eye Surgery Policy 2011
In May 24, 2007, the US Air Force announced that they would allow their
pilots to undergo Lasik eye surgery and to allow Lasik patients to serve as
pilots and aircrewmembers. The change also removes the altitude and
high-performance aircraft restrictions for people who have had Lasik eye
surgery.
Due to stresses placed on the eyes during flight combined with the active
lifestyle of military members, the recommended refractive surgeries are  Custom
& Wavefront-Guided Photo Refractive Keratectomy (WFG-PRK) and WaveFront-Guided
Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (WFG-LASIK), using the femtosecond
laser. The eyes are more trauma resistant after surgery using one of these
methods compared to other forms of refractive surgeries.
Individuals must still
meet the standards prescribed in AFI 48-123 , Medical Examination and Standard
s, for entrance into the US Air Force and aviation and special-duty positions.
Recently, the US Air Force has gone a step forward in its new support for LASIK
surgery. The Department of Defense initiated the Joint Warfighter Refractive
Surgery Center in Texas at Lackland Air Force Base. Every year, the US Air Force
has spent billions of dollars to improve the skills of our weapon systems. The
new center provides outpatient surgical laser latest state-of-the-art
technology.
If you currently serve in the US Air Force, you may get refractive surgery for
free. You will have to follow certain rules and regulations to apply for free
eye surgery.
Click
here to visit the Air Force Refractive Surgery Program website
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