Laser eye surgery resumes at Keesler Medical Center

Published Sept. 24, 2007
By Maj. (Dr.) Keith Berry and Capt. (Dr.) Hoon Jung
81st Surgical Operations Squadron

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Laser eye surgery has resumed at Keesler Medical Center.

Any active-duty military member requiring glasses or contacts to accomplish his duties is considered a potential surgery candidate.

Refractive surgeries are a group of eye surgeries used to change the optical system of the eye to give patients an opportunity to become less dependent on glasses and contact lenses. For most young people, the most appropriate way to accomplish this is to reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) with an excimer laser. This technology allows the treatment of patients with various eye conditions -- including near sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism -- with a high level of success.

The Keesler Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center uses the VISX Star 4 IR platform and CustomVue Wave Scanner to perform various advanced surface sculpting using the photorefractive keratectomy form of surgery, as well as microkeratome and femtosecond LASIK, depending on each patient's need.

The refractive surgery team staff includes seven full-time technicians, an optometrist and three ophthalmologists.

The center's goal is simple: To improve the human weapon system.
In post-deployment questionnaires, Air Force, Army, Marine, Navy and Coast Guard personnel who've had refractive surgery have championed the improved confidence and safety that comes from being "glasses-free."

Those interested in having refractive surgery at Keesler are required to complete a screening process. Active-duty personnel permanently assigned within approximately 50 miles can have all their screening completed by the refractive surgery clinic. All others need to complete the screening through their local optometrist. Commander approval is required for all applicants.

All necessary forms are available through the warfighter office or 81MDG/refractivesurgery@keesler.af.mil.

Non-flying active-duty members interested in a warfighter PRK/LASIK screening appointment, call 228-376-0422 or 0452.

Aviators interested in the program begin the process with a request through their flight surgeon.

All applicants must have sufficient documented retainability at the time of surgery.