Todd,
Here's an article I pulled off the AF website for you regarding PRK. There's more info at
http://www.af.mil/
In the upper left corner you'll see a search link. Click and type PRK for more info. I really hope this helps. Good Luck!
Tweetybird
A Flag Waving, Pledge Saying, God Blessing AMERICAN!_____________________________________
Updated eye surgery medical waiver policy released
Released: 26 Apr 2000
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by Tech. Sgt. Richard B. Searles
Office of the Surgeon General
BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. (AFPN) -- Air Force Medical Service officials recently released the Air Force's updated accession medical waiver policy for individuals with a history of corneal refractive surgery.
Changes to the policy include the addition of Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, commonly referred to as LASIK, to the list of corneal refractive surgeries that can be considered for medical waiver during accession. The only other surgery included in the policy is photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK. PRK was previously the only waivable corneal refractive surgery.
Waivers are still not being considered for individuals who have had radial keratotomy or any other corneal refractive surgery.
According to Air Force medical officials, a separate waiver policy for aviation and special duty personnel who have had the PRK procedure will be published in the near future. When published, PRK waivers for aviation and special duty personnel will be limited. Currently, waivers for LASIK are not allowed for aviation and special duty personnel.
Active duty members who obtained PRK or LASIK are not required to meet a medical evaluation board, provided they meet vision standards as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examination and Standards. Also, the individual must not have any vision symptoms that would significantly restrict activity.
Individuals who have had PRK or LASIK may be considered for enlistment, commissioning and appointment waiver, if they meet the criteria outlined in the policy.
Criteria:
* Pre-operative refractive error does not exceed +/-8.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) in either eye.
* Post-procedure best spectacle corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye that had the procedure. (Note: this is more stringent than accession standards for those who have not had corneal refractive surgery, due to the somewhat higher risk PRK and LASIK poses to vision)
* At least 12 months have passed since the date of the last surgery or most recent enhancement procedure.
* No significant side effects secondary to the surgery affect daily activities. * Stable post-op refraction defined as two refractions has been performed six months apart with no more than 0.50 diopter change in the spherical equivalent of either eye.
* Ophthalmologic exam reveals no lattice degeneration, retinal detachment or other ocular pathology associated with myopia or hyperopia.
Required documentation:
* Documentation of all the above information from the surgeon performing the procedure.
* Current comprehensive eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. This evaluation must address each of the waiver criteria.
* Copies of all medical records including the pre-operative eye examination (noting refractive error and keratometry readings), all operative reports (or procedure notes), and all follow-up notes. These should be included in the health records.
http://www.af.mil/
