Reserve requirements for refractive surgery

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kara Reynolds
  • 477th Fighter Group, Aeromedicine Flight
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Refractive Surgery is a hot topic when it comes to ways to correct vision. It can be an incredible option to free oneself from the burdens of glasses and contacts.  Refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, is possible for those members in the Reserve, but there are some important details.  Reservists are required to pay for the elective procedure out of pocket. Unlike active duty, the military does not pay for members to have surgery.  As it is an elective surgery, it also requires a pre-surgical checklist, which includes commander approval.  Once a member has sought appropriate approval and has the surgery, the member is enrolled in the Refractive Surgery Program, which monitors the healing progress for that member.  This information and more is available for Reservists on the AFMS Knowledge Exchange website, or members may reach out to Major Reynolds (Kreynolds.1@us.af.mil) for more information and the Refractive Surgery Checklist.