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The decision to have LASIK can impact individuals
with very specialized careers, specifically those in the US
military or commercial pilots.
Military Position
on Refractive Surgery
For the last few years, the US military has
taken a very conservative approach to refractive surgery.
Recent news stories demonstrate that the military is now more
positive about the procedures and has expanded their refractive
surgery programs and facilities.
According to a recent article in the Washington
Post, "The about-face came after a Department of Defense
medical panel, after evaluating several years of research
by the Navy, concluded that concerns about laser surgery damaging
the structure of the eyes had not been borne out and that
-- to the contrary -- the surgery was a way to improve the
fighting forces. Congress subsequently approved $15 million
for the program."1
While these reports are encouraging, recruits
should understand that waivers are still required for accession.
These waivers require full pre-, peri- and post-operative
information. Additionally, there are restrictions on the amount
of correction that can be performed. And, LASIK is still under
study for aviators - it is still considered disqualifying
with no exceptions. Therefore, it is very important for individuals
considering a career in the military to review the requirements
for their particular branch of service and area of interest
with their recruiting officer before making their final decision
about LASIK.
Current military personnel should discuss their
desire to have the surgery with their commanding officer.
As the branches now have several laser centers available,
it is our understanding that they prefer that personnel have
the surgery in those centers. We also understand that some
exceptions are allowed for personnel to have the surgery at
private centers. However, as the military program is expanding,
we do not necessarily have the most current information available.
Therefore, we strongly advise all personnel to work within
their command structure to determine the best course of action.
You may wish to review the Navy
& USMC Accession and Retention for Active Duty policy
table .
Military personnel and those who are considering
entering the military should visit the US
Navy Bureau of Medicine & Surgery's Corrective Eye Surgery
Information page and the US
Navy Optometry Refractive Surgery page for complete information
and links regarding US military policies and procedures.
Coast Guard personnel and those considering
entering the Coast Guard should review the branch
policies.
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U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration Policy on LASIK
According to the Federal Air Surgeon's Medical
Bulletin, Fall 1998, the FAA accepts LASIK for its pilots,
as long as the FAA examining doctor finds "the post-operative
condition has stabilized," pilots have "no significant
adverse effects or complications" and their eyes meet
"the appropriate vision standards" one to six months
post-operatively.
The bulletin states that it is the pilot's responsibility
to have his or her doctor send a copy of a report documenting
outcomes to the Aeromedical Certification division in Oklahoma
City. This report will then become part of the pilot's permanent
record.
For more information, you can write to FAA Civil
Aeromedical Institute, Aeromedical Education Division, AAM-400,
P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.
However, commercial airline pilots or those
planning to become pilots should be aware that airlines set
their own hiring policies with respect to LASIK. Kenneth Martin,
MD with the Air line Pilots Association, states that the airlines'
policies toward LASIK are "evolving" and that more
and more pilots are having it done. By contrast a job recruiter
for Air, Inc. states that most companies will not hire pilots
who have had any surgery on their eyes, regardless of whether
or not such a policy officially exists.
In sum, commercial airline pilots should check
with their current employers to learn their policies, official
or unofficial, about LASIK. Those considering becoming commercial
airline pilots should be aware that the decision to have LASIK
might affect their careers. Potential pilots should carefully
check with airlines that they would consider working for prior
to making any decision about surgery.
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