Refractive Eye Surgery

Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program & Research Center

Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center’s Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program and Research Center -- or WRESP-RC -- performs refractive surgery for eligible active duty service member beneficiaries from throughout the National Capital Region.

The WRESP-RC offers state-of-the-art refractive procedures including Wavefront Optimized Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) with Femtosecond laser technology, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE).

Eligibility

Only active duty service members and activated, called, or ordered to active duty service for more than 30 days in a row. National Guard and Reserve service members are eligible for surgery under this program.

Eligible service members must:

• Complete a surgery application package, which has been approved and signed by their commanding officer with a rank of O-3 or above.
• Be an Army candidate with at least 6 months remaining on active duty after surgery, or in conjunction with an executed reenlistment action; or be a Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard candidate with at least 12 months remaining on active duty.
• Air Force members must follow their service guidelines shown here to request refractive surgery.
• Be an eligible service member with no pending adverse personnel actions.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Be able to meet all pre-operative and post-operative appointments.

NOTE: Family members and retirees are not eligible for laser eye surgery through the program.

Service members who do not need glasses or contact lenses to drive a car are not candidates for refractive eye surgery. During the pre-operative evaluation, individuals will be assessed for candidacy. Those who are poor candidates for refractive surgery will be notified and potential alternatives will be discussed.

Treatment Priorities

For Army

1. Assigned to an operational unit. Special operations and combat arms units are first priority.
2. Force Sustainment, Health Services, and Operations Support personnel in operational assignments are second priority.

For Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard

1. Priority 1 (High Priority). Service Member’s (SM) job requires them to frequently and regularly work in an extreme physical environment that precludes the safe use of spectacles or contact lenses. SM has an unusually physically demanding and dangerous job. Probability of survival would clearly be enhanced with this procedure. (Examples: aviators/EOD/Special Forces, Combat Arms Deploying within 6 Months).
2. Priority 2. SM’s job requires them to frequently and regularly work in a physical environment where spectacle or contact lens use is possible and would not compromise personal safety or jeopardize completion of the mission, but where their use is physically more difficult or challenging. NOT a safety or survivability issue. Procedure is likely to enhance job performance. High priority, but not absolutely imperative. (Example: Security Forces, military duties include use of NVG, or respiratory masks or Marines not in Category I).
3. Priority 3. SM is not typically exposed to environmental extremes or physical activity or use of equipment precluding use of spectacles or contact lenses, but may on occasion, qualify for Category II.
4. Priority 4. SM’s job rarely or ever exposes them to extreme conditions, physical activity, or use of special equipment where performance would be diminished by use of glasses or contact lenses. (Example: administrative, clerical, office work in an indoor, non-extreme environment).

Completing a Surgery Application Package

To begin the application process, service members must complete the Refractive Surgery Consult Form (DHA 237) Patients may request the application package through an encrypted email at dha.belvoir.fbch.mbx.lasereye@health.mil or pick up these forms from the clinic.

Service members must have their ophthalmologist/optometrist and commander sign appropriate documents. Unit commanders who require special considerations or have questions are encouraged to contact the refractive surgery center regarding surgery scheduling, using the clinic contact information.

Submitting Completed Application Forms

• Completed forms may be sent as an encrypted email to the Refractive Surgery Center as email attachments to dha.belvoir.fbch.mbx.lasereye@health.mil.
• Patients may drop off completed forms at the clinic's reception desk during normal clinic hours.

The application will not be evaluated until a completed Refractive Surgery Consult Form is submitted. Once the documents have been reviewed and approved, applicants will be contacted to schedule a pre-operative consultation.

Important Information

Patients who have been approved and scheduled for a pre-operative consultation must read through important information:

• Preparing for Your Pre-Op Consultation provides important guidelines which each patient must read and follow in order to prepare for their consultation, and provides additional information which is vital to each patient.
• An Introduction to Laser Eye Surgery also includes important information for every patient.
• The Army Laser Surgery Program is information for Army candidates.

Patients should read through this information, ensure they understand and follow the provided guidelines, and contact the clinic with any questions.

Research Center

As a research center, the WRESP-RC offers candidates the unique opportunity to participate in cutting edge research investigating military aspects of refractive surgery in order to improve visual function and consequently the performance of America’s warfighters.

Additional Resources

Additional information about refractive surgery is available directly from the clinic or the websites listed at right, under the Links heading. Patients will be given ample opportunities to ask questions of the technicians, optometrists, and ophthalmologist during the evaluation process. Use the phone number at right to contact the clinic.