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So if LASIK and PRK are both a form of laser corneal surgery, what exactly makes them different from one another? The basic difference is this: PRK requires the surgeon to remove the surface cells of the cornea. LASIK requires the creation of a small flap on the cornea to grant access to the underlying tissue.

Laser eye surgery must have taken place at least 12 months prior. You must be at least 22 years of age at your application. The total pre-operative refractive error was not outside the limits for selection i.e. +6 or -6 dioptre in either eye and the best spectacle corrected visual acuity was within selection standards.

PRK is accepted by almost all military branches. Military branches, including the Navy*, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force, rescind the LASIK disqualifier. PRK and LASIK were both deemed acceptable for most branches and positions, though some stigma remained with LASIK.

If you're driving or traveling by train, you only need one week to recover, but if you're traveling by plane, you should wait until after your third post-operative appointment, which will take place about two weeks after your PRK surgery.

The Navy and Marines Corps waive PRK and LASIK for military personnel, but not for aviators. However, those on active naval flight duty can have successful PRK procedures waived, and LASIK can be performed if service members enroll in the ongoing LASIK aviator study at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.

LASIK and PRK both qualify for waivers for Airborne, Air Assault, and Ranger schools, but those candidates who have undergone LASIK must participate in an observational study if they want to train for Special Forces qualification.

To increase combat readiness, the Department of Defense has established the Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program (WRESP) which allows eligible active-duty soldiers to receive laser refractive eye surgery.

The drawback for PRK is that it results in much longer visual recovery time and greater discomfort. Regardless, members of the military often request to have PRK over other refractive surgeries because they have seen the good results in friends who have undergone the procedure, Steven C. Schallhorn, MD, said.