Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology - Refractive Laser Surgery

HOW CAN I GET REFRACTIVE LASER SURGERY?

The first thing to know is that the Navy is not allowed to perform refractive surgery on dependents, retirees, or civilian employees.

Refractive Surgery services at NMCP are currently available to ACTIVE DUTY Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard members only. The Refractive Surgery Clinic is an operational program, designed to enhance the mission capabilities of military members who are regularly required to perform their duties in operational environments where the use of glasses or contacts may adversely affect their mission performance.

"How do I know if I am eligible?"

To have refractive surgery, you must:

Be at least 21 years old

Be Active Duty USN, USMC, or USCG

Have a glasses prescription (refraction) that falls within a certain range. Your optometrist can help explain this to you. If you are nearsighted (myopic), your spherical equivalent must be between -1.00 to -9.00 and your astigmatism must be less than or equal to 4.00. If you are farsighted (hyperopic), your spherical equivalent must be between +1.00 to +4.00 and your astigmatism must be less than or equal to 4.00.

Have a stable glasses prescription (refraction) over the last 12 months. Again, your optometrist can help explain this to you, but of course this means you must have a prescription available that is at least 12 months old.

Have no evidence of keratoconus (an irregular shape of the cornea).

Not currently be pregnant or breast-feeding.

Have no autoimmune or immunodeficiency diseases.

Have no recent history of taking certain medications.

"How do I get in the program?"

Any active duty Navy, Marine, or Coast Guard member may apply for consideration to the program by filling out a Navy Refractive Surgery Consult Form. This form is available at the front desk of both the Ophthalmology Clinic and the Refractive Surgery Clinic, or online at: http://www-nmcp.med.navy.mil/Ophthal/PRKSurgery.asp.

In addition to your personal information, this form requires the signature of your commanding officer, who must also determine your priority level. For example, a higher priority is limited to personnel whose military duties, without question, require them to regularly work in extreme physical environments where the use of glasses or contacts would be unsafe, and would likely compromise mission performance (such as Navy SEALs). After these parts of the form are done you will need an Optometry exam to complete the form. If you live in this area you can call the TRICARE Service Center (1-866-MIL-HLTH) to schedule a routine Optometry appointment at one of the branch clinics (NNSY; Sewell's Point; Boone Clinic; Oceana). Naval Medical Center Portsmouth staff members may call the Refractive Surgery Center (953-7575 / 77) for a screening exam here.

If it is determined that you are an acceptable surgical candidate, the form will be faxed to the Refractive Surgery Center (FAX 953-6136) and you will be entered into the treatment database.

"What happens after my name gets on the list?"

When your name comes to the top of the list and if you still meet all eligibility requirements, you will be contacted and offered a surgery appointment. Please keep in mind that this list changes all the time due to issues like operational commitments and patients with different priority levels. DO NOT call or e-mail the clinic to find out your position on the list. Due to overwhelming interest in the program, most military members can expect a lengthy wait for refractive surgery services.

BUMED's official policy on Refractive Surgery in the Navy is available online at: http://www.navymedicine.navy.mil