Refractive surgery center for military pilots opens
The facility includes three temperature- and humidity-controlled laser eye surgery suites and is staffed by eight Air Force and Army surgeons, according to a press release issued by Lackland's Wilford Hall Medical Center.
Every year, the U.S. Air Force spends billions of dollars upgrading the capabilities of our weapons systems, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Charles Reilly, chief of refractive surgery center, said in a statement. The new laser ambulatory surgery center brings the latest state-of-the art technology to allow us to upgrade the avionics of our most important weapons system our people.
The Air Force announced in May 2007 that it was changing its policy to allow people who had already undergone LASIK surgery as civilians to apply for pilot training.
The revised rules also lifted the ban on people who have had LASIK from serving as aircrew on high-altitude and high-performance aircraft.
Taken together, the policy changes will make thousands of applicants eligible for some of the Air Forces most sought-after jobs.
Airmen who have had refractive surgery, whether LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), still need waivers to apply for pilot training or to serve as aircrew on certain aircraft. Their vision after the surgery must meet the normal vision requirements for the career fields to which they are applying.
Laser refractive surgery is now permitted for personnel in all branches of the U.S. military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The Air Force had previously approved PRK for airmen at the end of 2001. The Army's first Warfighter Refractive Eye Clinic opened its doors at Fort Bragg (North Carolina) in May 2000.
SOURCE: Lackland opening eye surgery center. Air Force Times (www.airforcetimes.com). August 23, 2007.
