U.S. Navy Exploring IntraLase for Aviators

Good vision is essential for pilots, especially military pilots. Many who have the skills, potential, and a burning desire to pursue a career in military aviation are held back by poor vision alone. LASIK surgery is a great way to correct poor vision without the need for corrective lenses, but has not been approved by the U.S. military for aviation personnel. The extreme conditions which pilots are subjected to including wind, high altitude, dry air, and G forces, can cause LASIK complications which, if they were to occur in-flight, pose a myriad of dangers.

The U.S. Navy has a new program which allows aviators to undergo LASIK surgery using the IntraLase method, rather than the hand-held microkeratome, making the surgery completely blade-free. The first candidate, Marine Capt. Michael Oginsky, has successfully completed surgery, achieving 20/20 vision within four hours of the procedure, and actually exceeding 20/20 vision after 24 hours. Conquering the biggest hurdle, flap re-adhesion, Capt. Oginsky's surgical flaps had properly sealed by the one-week exam. Four more aviators are scheduled to undergo the procedure during the first step of the program.