AFROTC & Lasik

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unkown1961

5-Year Member
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Oct 20, 2016
Messages
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My son let me know that he needs lasik after Field Training sometime in August when he goes back to school. Will this be something where we find the doctor and my son sets up an appt, or does the cadre have approved doctors. And it is lasik that is required for correcting eyesight vs. prk, correct? Thanks.
 
unkown1961 said:
My son let me know that he needs lasik after Field Training sometime in August when he goes back to school. Will this be something where we find the doctor and my son sets up an appt, or does the cadre have approved doctors. And it is lasik that is required for correcting eyesight vs. prk, correct? Thanks.
Click to expand...
  • To your questions, yes you find the doctor / make the appt/ pay for the surgery (as opposed to SAs which cover it) but there are additional steps to take I'll outline below concurrently.
  • My brief and incomplete research (confirm yourself please) seems to show that neither PRK nor LASIK is considered a disqualifying surgery in the AF.
I'll just share a related path experience (NROTC).
  • Notify your chain of command for the change in medical status / get approval.
  • Confirm the windows of when you need to follow documentation including post-op surgeon reports all is well. Confirm windows of limited exercise post-op.
  • Understand it's an elective surgery and risk. One of the most respected voices on the board, Pima, noted only get this surgery if you absolutely need it and ensure your eyes aren't still growing/ changing. Search for Pima's post about their own son and her husband's guidance.
  • If AF is same as NROTC *IDK* sign a waiver that says you're on the hook for recoupment of funds if you after surgery are not able to move forward. Your risk, not theirs for this elective surgery.
  • Do your research and pick 2 top MDs. Have 2 "free" consultations and confirm which surgery they recommend for your DS's eyes. Confirm which is available to complete the surgery in your desired window. Keep in mind your DS will need a few follow-up appts - maybe 1 week, 30 days, six months, maybe 12 months with documentation - so think about where to have the surgery and where he will be - school may be a better choice. Also some practice shave offices in many locations (chain) so they may be able to complete the post-op visits at school in the same practice. Or you may have to pay for the follow-up with a doc where he is. DS's doc offered to pay for the post op visits to other docs out of state if needed as part of his overall fee. Make sure you get all documentation and get it filed so he doesn't DQ from eligibility like is possible in NROTC if the paperwork is not squared away before the boards.
  • Some of the top docs book out for months but better to wait for one so I'd book asap once you complete your research. Also top docs will perhaps be more expensive than the folks at the mall perhaps but IMO worth it. DS' Surgeon provided a military discount which helped. DS had significant myopia and now sees like an eagle. He said the weirdest thing is waking up and being able to see right away.
Hope that helps and good luck to your DS.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
I'll just share a related path experience (NROTC).
  • Notify your chain of command for the change in medical status / get approval.
  • Confirm the windows of when you need to follow documentation including post-op surgeon reports all is well. Confirm windows of limited exercise post-op.
  • Understand it's an elective surgery and risk. One of the most respected voices on the board, Pima, noted only get this surgery if you absolutely need it and ensure your eyes aren't still growing/ changing. Search for Pima's post about their own son and her husband's guidance.
  • If AF is same as NROTC *IDK* sign a waiver that says you're on the hook for recoupment of funds if you after surgery are not able to move forward. Your risk, not theirs for this elective surgery.
  • Do your research and pick 2 top MDs. Have 2 "free" consultations and confirm which surgery they recommend for your DS's eyes. Confirm which is available to complete the surgery in your desired window. Keep in mind your DS will need a few follow-up appts - maybe 1 week, 30 days, six months, maybe 12 months with documentation - so think about where to have the surgery and where he will be - school may be a better choice. Also some practice shave offices in many locations (chain) so they may be able to complete the post-op visits at school in the same practice. Or you may have to pay for the follow-up with a doc where he is. DS's doc offered to pay for the post op visits to other docs out of state if needed as part of his overall fee. Make sure you get all documentation and get it filed so he doesn't DQ from eligibility like is possible in NROTC if the paperwork is not squared away before the boards.
  • Some of the top docs book out for months but better to wait for one so I'd book asap once you complete your research. Also top docs will perhaps be more expensive than the folks at the mall perhaps but IMO worth it. DS' Surgeon provided a military discount which helped. DS had significant myopia and now sees like an eagle. He said the weirdest thing is waking up and being able to see right away.
Hope that helps and good luck to your DS.
Click to expand...
Thanks! That helps a lot. He's in the process of trying to get info from his cadre's NCOs which is going very slowly. And he told us he'll need it in LA where he goes to school. Thanks!
 
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