US Navy & USMC Laser Eye Surgery Policy 2011
In general,
 PRK is acceptable but
LASIK is considered disqualifying for active
duty in any special forces in US Navy and USMC. There are the US Navy & Marine Policy of laser vision correction surgery.
|
US Navy & Marine
Policy for PRK for New Accessions |
|
Item |
Aviation |
Diver |
SPECWAR |
Surface |
Undersea |
USMC |
Non-Warfare |
|
Surgery Prior to Entry
on Active
Duty is Disqualifying |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Favorable Waiver Likely
if Medical
Criteria is Met |
Only if Entered in
Navy
PRK Study Program |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
US Navy & Marine Policy for LASIK for New
Accessions |
|
Item |
Aviation |
Diver |
SPECWAR |
Surface |
Undersea |
USMC |
Non-Warfare |
|
Surgery Prior to Entry on Active Duty
is Disqualifying |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Favorable Waiver Likely if Medical
Criteria is Met |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
US Navy & Marine Policy for PRK Surgery for
Retention on Active Duty |
|
Item |
Aviation |
Diver |
SPECWAR |
Surface |
Undersea |
USMC |
Non-Warfare |
|
Surgery Available Through Navy for
Free |
Only if Enrolled in
Navy PRK Study
Program
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Limited Availability - Priority
Goes to Other Categories |
|
Civilian Surgery Permitted at
Member's Expense |
No |
No |
No |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
|
Pre-Op Counseling by Navy Medical
Required |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Commander's Approval Required for
Navy or Civilian Surgery |
N/A |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Disqualifying for Retention |
Yes, if Not Enrolled in Study Program |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Return to Duty after Surgery Requires
Navy Medical Clearance |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Waiver Required to Return to Active
Duty |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
US Navy & Marine Policy
for LASIK Surgery for Retention on Active Duty |
|
Item |
Aviation |
Diver |
SPECWAR |
Surface |
Undersea |
USMC |
Non-Warfare |
|
Surgery Available Through Navy for
Free |
No |
No |
No |
Requires
Enrollment in Navy LASIK Study Program |
Requires
Enrollment in Navy LASIK Study Program |
Requires
Enrollment in Navy LASIK Study Program |
Requires
Enrollment in Navy LASIK Study Program |
|
Civilian Surgery Permitted at
Member's Expense |
No |
No |
No |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
Yes, But Not
Encouraged |
|
Pre-Op Counseling by Navy Medical
Required |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Commander's Approval Required for
Navy or Civilian Surgery |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Disqualifying for Retention |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Return to Duty after Surgery Requires
Navy Medical Clearance |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Waiver Required to Return to Active
Duty |
Not Waiverable |
Not Waiverable |
Not Waiverable |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
|
