<p>So, most people who need eye correction get it at the academy. When is the surgery done? Any cost to the cadet?</p>
<p>Usually done your junior year at no charge to you. You just have to qualify in your grades, military, and physical. The surgery is PRK, not lasik.</p>
<p>On another note, NEVER get eye surgery BEFORE coming here.</p>
<p>Sorry, but whats the difference b/w PRK and Lasik?Just curious.</p>
<p>LASIK cuts the corneal flap and folds it to the side. Then the laser penetrates and alters the shape of the eye. The flap is folded back over and used as a natural band-aid. Healing times are generally very short for LASIK due to the flap cut. But studies have been going on and the Air Force is concerned that at high altitude or in high G turns the flap could swell or move respectively. PRK does not cut the flap and directly shapes the cornea (IIRC). The healing time is much much longer. For now, that's the only approved surgery, but other air forces in the world have started allowing LASIK, so we'll see what happens.</p>
<p>PRK is onlt available to certain ppl also. i was told that with my farsightedness, even PRK could not make me PQ. i got lucky and my eyes self corrected after 10 years of glasses/contacts</p>
<p>What does PRK stand for?</p>
<p>PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratotomy) </p>
<p>Google is so easy.</p>