Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: nirvana on July 22, 2008, 03:59:36 PM

Title: PRK eye surgery
Post by: nirvana on July 22, 2008, 03:59:36 PM: Anyone had this done? Spoke to the doctor today and I'm going to need to have it done if I want to go aviation. Was just wondering if there were big improvements or what not.
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: Eagler on July 22, 2008, 04:08:47 PM: 1989 had rk done with a diamond tipped scapel - no lasers then
went from legal blind to 20/20

it lasted almost 20 years as i have an appointment with the eye doc to be fitted with tri-focals - but then again I'm > 49 now and was told then it would not last forever
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: lasersailor184 on July 22, 2008, 04:29:12 PM: People's Republic of Korea is now offering eye surgery?

I don't know if I trust that Kim Jong Il character. :P
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: nirvana on July 22, 2008, 06:02:32 PM: He seems respectable enough, Laser.

They won't let me get LASIK according to the doctor and they'll only do PRK at certain military bases, if the base will even allow you on. So I'm trying to go through and find out if and when I can do it. Unfortunately they don't recommend it if you're under 20 so who knows.
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: Maverick on July 22, 2008, 06:14:54 PM: Check with AOPA for info regarding eye surgery and the FAA as well.
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: nirvana on July 22, 2008, 06:31:03 PM: It's Coast Guard aviation so it's all their regulations.
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: rpm on July 22, 2008, 08:38:59 PM: I know from personal experience the USCG can be behind the times on some medical procedures. However the USAF has approved LASIK for pilots and aircrew. You can have your CO send a request to the Commandant for approval on a procedure. Who knows, maybe you will change policy. Good luck!

http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/library/lasik-air-force.htm (http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/library/lasik-air-force.htm)
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: nirvana on July 22, 2008, 08:46:53 PM: My recruiter had eye surgery at the AF Academy a few months ago, not sure if it was LASIK or not though.
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: Maverick on July 22, 2008, 10:10:05 PM: Nirvana, The FAA trumps the coasties for regulations about who can fly. If you are looking to fly as a pilot you really should look to the folks who make the regs covering it.
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: nirvana on July 23, 2008, 01:53:48 AM: Just looking to be aircrew right now, Maverick. Perhaps in 20 years I may make that transition but for now CIM 6000.1C says LASIK is prohibited.
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: Angus on July 24, 2008, 11:03:56 AM: I know people who had this done, and up to well in the fifties. They are all absolutely happy about the deal.
I'll do it as soon as I can afford it ;)
Title: Re: PRK eye surgery
Post by: Yenny on July 24, 2008, 12:21:16 PM: For Army aviator the cut off for lasik is -6.5. Mine was -7.0 when i had my lasik done, but they accepted my waver.