NASA Approves LASIK for its Pilots

[MIPilotSP]

Hi Everyone,

I know that many of you out there are curious about when the Navy will start approving waivers for LASIK. Well, I think it will be very soon, possibly even this fall. Navy medicine releases their new policies at the beginning of every fiscal year (October).

If you recall, the Navy approved PRK at the end of October in 2000 or 2001…

According to a NavyTimes.com article, Capt. Christopher Armstrong, director of aerospace medicine for the Navy said "I expect to be recommending waivers for Lasik [for Navy and Marine aviators] during the fall."

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/03/navy_free_lasik_031607/

NASA just sent a press release about approving LASIK for its pilots.

http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2007/09/nasa_approves_lasik_prk_for_astronauts.html


The Air Force approved LASIK for pilot and navigator candidates back in May.

http://lasiksurgerynews.com/news/lasik-air-force-pilots-27aug07.shtml


So don't give up hope if you’ve had LASIK and want to be a Naval aviator!

 

[PAO84]

This is what I like to see! No punn intended.

 

[whitesoxnation]

Well shit I'm having PRK the day after Thanksgiving

I swear my timing on everything is HORRIBLE right now

 

[FastMover]

Well shit I'm having PRK the day after Thanksgiving

I swear my timing on everything is HORRIBLE right now

Don't sweat it...having PRK done in March was one of the best decisions I ever made.

 

[UMichfly]

Watch a video of them doing LASIK...that made me completely thankful I had PRK instead. I'll take an electric toothbrush to the eyeball over a microkeratome any damn day.

 

[FastMover]

Watching them do the procedure on your eyes is actually kind of cool. I could see the surface distorting when they were scrubbing around on it but I couldn't feel anything due to the numbing drops.

You might want to bring a hand towel with you as well. They were constantly flushing my eyes throughout the surgery and my head was soaked after I left.

 

[eddie]

My only thought/question is, if (when?) LASIK becomes optional for Navy / USMC applicants, will it require the same 6-month post operation evaluation to clear you to submit a package/waiver as PRK does. (Can't find the Air Force's present guidline...)

 

[BACONATOR]

For pilots yes, but does this apply to the astronaut corps? I would love to eventually get PRK, but it is DQ for astronauts (unless this changes it)

 

[Fmr1833]

^kill me