Expert: Rod Powers - 11/19/2006

Question
Thank-You.  He had Radial Keratotomy.  He only had about 6 icisions on each eye.  It wasn't lazer. His eyes were just bad enough for him to get this surgery.  His eye sight is better than 20/20 and has been since the procedure.  I have read info that states this is waiverable.  Do you think it is?  And, do you know that process he has to go through that I can help him with?  Thank-You, Rhonda
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-----Question-----
Hi,  My son wants to join the army.  He has been in college for 5 yrs. to be a police officer and still needs a few more credits.  He isn't presently in college mostly because of money.  He has all his papers done with his recruiter and the only thing holding things up now is his R K surgery when he was 18 yrs. old.  He is now 24.  I have found info that says that it can be waived.  Can he still join and what is the process in getting him in?  He has no health issues and is very active.  What can I do to help?  
Thank-You, his mom...
-----Answer-----
Hi Rhonda,

By the term "R K surgery," I assume you mean "PRK surgery," which is a type of laser eye surgery?

If so, Laser eye surgery (including PRK) is almost routinely waived for enlistment these days. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/l/bllasersurgery.htm.

However, the waiver request must still go through the process. Depending on how many other waiver requests from the several thousand other recruits requesting waivers of some type are going through the system at the same time, the process can take several weeks. However, unless there is something unusual, I wouldn't worry too much about the results of the waiver request.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


Answer
Hi Rhonda,

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have called it "laser." I should have called it just "surgery." You're right that PRK doesn't involve lasers.

I wouldn't worry too much about the waiver. Most are almost routinely approved, these days.

He will see an active duty recruiter and he will fill out a form concerning his medical qualifications. The recruiter will send that form to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), where it will be previewed by a military entrance medical doctor. The doctor will determine whether or not MEPS needs to see any additional medical documentation, based on the information provided on the MEPS pre-screen form.

There's nothing you can really do to help with this process, other than they will most probably want to see the medical records for the surgery. So, you may wish to have a copy of those medical records ready.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com