Fighter Pilots and LASIK

The vision requirements for fighter pilots are strict. Flying is no child’s play and requires optimal vision – or in simpler words, nearly a hawk’s vision. Almost every service in the military that is relevant to operating aircraft in the skies requires a 20/20 vision.

Before 2007, candidates who underwent LASIK or PRK became disqualified. But after the Air Force revoked this rule and changed their policy. Prior to this rule, candidates who had laser eye surgery were not eligible for Air Force aviator roles. But as of now, LASIK treated candidates can undertake aviator roles. They are also not barred from restrictions relating to altitude.
So why this sudden change in policy? After doing their research, the Air Force determined that LASIK treated eyes experienced no adverse effects when exposed to high gravitational forces when in fighter aircraft. The high wind blast intensity experienced by pilots during the process of aircraft ejection or flying at high altitude didn’t alter the efficiency of their LASIK treated eyesight or eyes.

The Air Force currently approves of refractive surgeries such as WaveFront Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy which is understood to produce negligible or no higher-order aberrations. The other recommended refractive surgery being WaveFront Guided Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis which is also known as custom LASIK surgery. This is a technique in which all higher and lower order aberrations of the eye become taken into consideration. In this method, the wavefront capture forms the basis of the precision of the laser ablation. The accurate determination of the aberrations of the eye allows the eye-surgeon to apply the laser excimer based on estimates from an aberrometer.

Not just the Air Force, even the Navy approves of LASIK laser eye surgery. Given the robustness of this eye surgery procedure, Houston Lasik has seen an upward trend of military professionals seeking consultation. Not just from Houston, but across the country and even from overseas regions as well. NASA has given the green signal to allow LASIK treated astronauts to continue to work for NASA or join them. NASA was the last to approve, and this entity’s approval was based on clinical trial data obtained from research authorities. The clinical trial data established that LASIK treated eyes could withstand the rigors of battle, flying, warfare and space activities.

Patients from Houston Lasik who work with the Air Force, Navy, or NASA experienced high visual acuity after their respective surgeries. Their vision was not only 20/20 on the eye chart, but in real-life and on real-time duty. While on duty they were able to process multiple images, halos in their field of vision, contrast changes, sensitive lighting, and many more light-based phenomena. This became useful news for LASIK as a matured technology that is done best if done at a venerable eye clinic.

Currently, this eye treatment procedure is the safest, painless, minimally-invasive, and highly successful. Military and non-military professionals can seek expert advice on enhancing their lives and professional experience. Visiting a reputed eye clinic is the first step towards realizing that goal.

Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS, and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.

References:
https://www.thebalance.com/vision-requirements-to-become-a-military-pilot-navigator-3332649
http://www.touchophthalmology.com/articles/wavefront-guided-laser-assisted-situ-keratomileusis
https://www.qualsight.com/lasik-eye-surgery-news:

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