Preliminary Eye Exam for PRK

[Heatherg21]

Hi, DS just had an eye exam and will now schedule his PRK procedure. I had Lasik years ago (thank goodness), what does the PRK experience look like for MIDN? And does it mean he will be eligible to compete for his desired Aviation service?

I know there are other things taken into consideration for medical quals, just curious about the eyeball component. Thanks!

 

[THParent]

My DS did PRK at Walter Reed courtesy of USNA last October.

He described it as "someone taking an electric toothbrush to your eyeballs and scrubbing them until you can't see". It seems from his description that it was pretty off-putting and that he almost immediately questioned his decision to have it done, after it was too late. He was sensitive to light for at least a month. He followed all post-op directions diligently and now tests with 20/10 vision. He protects his new-found wundervision by always wearing sunglasses outdoors and says that if he had it to do over again he wouldn't even hesitate. It was the best thing ever. I would say that it took 4-5 months to realize all the benefits of the better vision. He said that the best part is that he doesn't have to deal with glasses anymore and that driving at night is better by a magnitude of "about a million".

 

[Usnavy2019]

PRK doesn't affect one's ability to compete for aviation. If anything, it allows one to compete for aviation. Most people who receive it are doing it to at least have the option to compete. You have multiple follow-ups after the procedure with Academy Optometry. Although PRK is more invasive, it is the surgery of choice since there is no chance for a corneal flap to get dislodged. Most military pilots are exposed to high g-forces at some point in their career (training and/or operationally).

The above description is accurate. That is how the ophthalmologist removes the epithelium to expose the cornea. The laser then shapes the cornea. You don't really know the laser is doing anything until you get the nice scent of charred flesh. Your eye is then irrigated with water (think sports bottle squirted into your eye while you're told to keep your eye open. A bandage contact is put on and then removed days later. Recovery varies. Some get clear vision within a week or two with little pain. For others, recovery is quite painful and it takes months. Pretty much, as long as you're within standards by your six month follow-up, you are fine vision-wise.

At least for me, I didn't notice my vision being a lot better until I was on liberty one day and I could read distant street signs and marquees clearly. That was a little over a month after surgery. It is normal for vision to get worse initially and then wax and wane. This is just the epithelium healing.

 

[Heatherg21]

Well, DS isn't wrong. When I had Lasik done, felt pretty much the same for 23-36 hours. The worst part? They offered Valium to all the patients in the waiting room prior to the procedure. I was like, nope, not me, don't like drugs, they make me sick. Once the lasering started? Anxiety kicked in, really wish I'd taken it. The smell of burnt hair (your eye tissues) was horrific, and they kept repeating, "you must be still, you cannot move at any point during the procedure". I was terrified.

I am 20/20 (except for needing cheaters) and I don't regret it. You really have to be diligent with the aftercare, that's for sure.

Thanks for the gouge, I will let DS know (although I'm sure he has already done his homework).

 

[Usnavy2019]

Well, DS isn't wrong. When I had Lasik done, felt pretty much the same for 23-36 hours. The worst part? They offered Valium to all the patients in the waiting room prior to the procedure. I was like, nope, not me, don't like drugs, they make me sick. Once the lasering started? Anxiety kicked in, really wish I'd taken it. The smell of burnt hair (your eye tissues) was horrific, and they kept repeating, "you must be still, you cannot move at any point during the procedure". I was terrified.

I am 20/20 (except for needing cheaters) and I don't regret it. You really have to be diligent with the aftercare, that's for sure.

Thanks for the gouge, I will let DS know (although I'm sure he has already done his homework).

No shame in the cheaters! We were told that we'll all need reading glasses around the age of 40. Part of the process is "informed consent." They have you watch a video about the procedure and the ophthalmologist will give you a briefing on game day. Interesting they told you not to move. I remember the briefing for us said that if you moved your eye, the laser would detect the movement and adjust before you even realized you did. I think the anxiety also kept most people solid too.

 

[tchr5thgrd]

Well, DS isn't wrong. When I had Lasik done, felt pretty much the same for 23-36 hours. The worst part? They offered Valium to all the patients in the waiting room prior to the procedure. I was like, nope, not me, don't like drugs, they make me sick. Once the lasering started? Anxiety kicked in, really wish I'd taken it. The smell of burnt hair (your eye tissues) was horrific, and they kept repeating, "you must be still, you cannot move at any point during the procedure". I was terrified.

I am 20/20 (except for needing cheaters) and I don't regret it. You really have to be diligent with the aftercare, that's for sure.

Thanks for the gouge, I will let DS know (although I'm sure he has already done his homework).

I had LASIK done in 1998. The office where the procedure was done housed several doctors. The patient before me got a Valium. I went to the front desk and said, "Hey, I didn't get a Valium." They told me that my doctor didn't believe in giving Valium. My thought was "I don't care what he thinks, do I need a Valium???" Turns out, I didn't. They never had to remind me not to move, because I was way to frightened to move. When it was over, the nurse told me what a great patient I was for not moving. I'm thinking, "Really? You were cutting my eyeball. Did you honestly think I was going to break out in Riverdance or something?" I have a nephew that flies F16s and he wears contacts. I didn't know you were allowed to do that, but I guess its ok.

 

[Usnavy2019]

Once you have your wings, the medical standards become more tolerable and waivers become easier to get. The military understands that people will age and operations can and do take a toll on the body. Additionally, once someone is winged, the military needs some type of return on investment after spending multiple years and millions of dollars on training. Seeing pilots wearing glasses is not uncommon. Even some students are rocking the fashionable gold rim glasses... at least that's what the Navy gives you.