<p>Hello everyone, I just had a discussion with my parents about the methods of eye surgery offered at the Naval Academy. My father insists that PRK is outdated and there is no way that the Academy would use such an ancient method of eye surgery. However, I have seen numerous times on these forums of people mentioning PRK surgery...So which is it..PRK or Lasik?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>-David</p>
<p>DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT EVER EVER EVER get laser surgury before USNA. IT IS AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFYING. however in your 2nd class year they do PRK to a small pool of students.</p>
<p>Hope it helps.</p>
<p>Lasik is a more recent procedure than PRK, and is more popular in the general public because of faster healing times. The surgeon lifts a little flap off the surface of the eyeball and does the flattening underneath, then replaces the flap, minimizing the injured area on the surface. BUT.... there are potential complications involving Lasik and extremes of altitude that do not apply to PRK. In PRK the flattening is done directly to the surface, without a flap. Healing takes longer, but the eyeball is more structurally normal. After Lasik, the flap can swell at high altitude, potentially clouding vision, so people like pilots and mountain climbers are better off with PRK. (There may also be a problem with Lasik at low altitude that might affect submarine jobs, but I'm not sure about that.) So particular jobs that you would be disqualified for based on Lasik might be okay if you have PRK. Check out policy with the USNA before doing anything.</p>
<p>Ok thanks a lot for the replies. Thank you Rosa and thanks texas, I sent your reply to my dad. That'll show him! (He didn't believe me that all you guys were talking about PRK...he had Lasik a while ago)..</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>-David</p>
<p>The only difference between PRK and Lasik is the flap Lasik lifts. It's done because when PRK alters the back by burning it, it also can take some of the cornea(?) with it, but Lasik opens it up to prevent that. But as stated, the flap can cause problems for other jobs. I believe its also an issue because at high G's in a jet the flap may move or become dislodged.</p>
<p>Is it really safe to be messing with someone's eyes like that? I'd rather see non-20/20 than go blind or have more problems with my eyesight. Sometimes I wonder about doctors...especially some of their "bleeding" practices.</p>
<p>It's a safe procedure. They are burning imperfections away in the eye to alter the shape to a truer sphere. Really, only messing up the procedure will cause damage.</p>
<p>I just stumbled on more data - Lasik (but not PRK) is indeed a problem with low altitude as well as high altitude, and would be an issue for things like diving. Not a good thing if someone wanted to be a Navy SEAL.</p>
<p>the academy offers prk just as the navy seals offer to those entering whom they deem "waiverable." They believe PRK is safer.</p>