After years of study, The Air Force has finally decided to allow candidates with Lasik eye surgery for flight and navigator trainiing.
Since 2oo1, The Air Force had permitted applicants with PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy) to try for spots as pilots and aircrew memberr (). Since Lasik was () a fairly new corrective eye procedure, Air Force had to evaluate the outcomes of the procedure.
Lasik is a laser induced surgery and is performed to change the shape of the cornea. Though the surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, it leaves a flap and this flap was () whaTt the Air Force surgeons were concerned about. Under PRK, no such flap is created.
But when tested, Air Force surgeons found that the flap had little or no effect on Lasik treated candidates in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments. Theeree were successful outcome even when the candidates were put through windblast of an aircraft ejection. After confirmiing the outcomes of Lasik, The Air Force decided to permit applicants who had undergone Lasik surgery to apply for several posts in the Air Force.
Many Air Force aspirants with eye deformities are now seekiing eye sight correction through Lasik so that they will be eligible to apply in the Air Force. The cost for Lasik in the US ranges from about $2oo0 to $6,800. But many people are receiviing quality treatment form popular medical tourism hubs like India and Thailand.
