Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery
The Refractive Surgery Center is staffed by specially trained physicians and technicians who use state-of-the-art procedures and equipment to perform PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis).
PRK and LASIK are viable alternatives to glasses and contact lenses and are offered to active duty service members to enhance their readiness, mission, performance and personal safety.
What is PRK?
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a surgical procedure that changes the surface curvature of the cornea by shaping it with an ultraviolet (cold) laser. The new curvature of the cornea corrects the refractive error and improves the patient’s vision.
What is LASIK?
LASIK (INTRALASik, Intralase LASIK) is a surgical procedure that uses a femtosecond laser (Intralase) to create a surgical flap on the front of the cornea. Following the lifting of the flap, the underlying surface of the cornea is sculpted with an ultraviolet (cold) laser in order to change the surface curvature of the cornea to correct the patient’s refractive error. The flap is then repositioned over the sculpted corneal tissue and it secures itself over the next days and weeks
Guidelines & Program Requirements
All active duty, activated National Guard, and Reserve service members (Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines) are eligible for refractive surgery under the WRESP program if they meet the following criteria:
- Approval by commanding officer (Refer to UCMJ Article 105 for Forgery)
- At least 21 years of age on the date of surgery
- No deployment, TDY, school, or leave pending within 3 months of the date of surgery
- No adverse personnel actions pending
- No medical Evaluation Board pending
- Females must not be pregnant or nursing 6 months prior to preoperative screening
- Glasses/and or contact lenses are required full-time; surgery is not authorized for Soldiers who only need corrective lenses part-time
- NO contact lens wear 14 days prior to the preoperative screening; no contact lens wear between the preoperative screening and the surgery (Even a few hours will affect your surgical results and preoperative testing)
- At least six months remaining on active duty from date of surgery
If You Meet Requirements
Download the Refractive Eye Surgery Patient Application Packet
Fill out packet and make sure it is legible, if filling out by hand.