Laser Vision Center

A new era in corrective eye surgery... photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
is a surgical procedure with a viable alternative to glasses and contact lenses.

Who is eligible for PRK surgery?

Priority is given to sailors and marines who work in extreme physical environments that preclude the safe use of eye glasses or contact lenses.

An evaluation for eligibility may be requested by all active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

Eligibility will be determined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. An eligible member’s unit commander must endorse the request and determine the level of priority. Once a command-endorsed request is received, the WRNMMC Laser Vision Center staff will review requests for final determination of clinical appropriateness and priority.

Priority Levels for Corneal Refractive Surgery.

What is refractive eye surgery?

• PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)

  The surface of the cornea is sculpted with an Ultraviolet (cold) laser in order to change the surface curvature of the cornea, resulting in a correction of the refractive error.

• INTRALASik (Intralase LASIK)

  A fematosecond laser (Intralase) is used to create a surgical flap on the front of the cornea. Then, the underlying surface of the cornea is sculpted with an Ultraviolet (cold) laser in order to change the surface curvature of the cornea, resulting in a correction of the refractive error.

What is refractive eye surgery? PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) The surface of the cornea is sculpted with an Ultraviolet (cold) laser to change the surface curvature of the cornea, correcting the refractive error. INTRALASik (Intralase LASIK) A fematosecond laser (Intralase) creates a surgical flap on the front of the cornea. Then, the underlying surface of the cornea is sculpted with an Ultraviolet (cold) laser to change the surface curvature of the cornea, correcting the refractive error. Top

View a Navy-Marine Corps Documentary on Intralase LASIK (WMV file)   To submit a Consult: Download Consult form. Complete ALL information in Section 1, including your military email address. Your CO completes Section 2 to determine priority level (see guidelines in Consult form). Schedule a routine Optometry appointment at your MTF. Your Optometrist will complete Section 3. Fax Consult to 301-295-4751. Although, we cannot notify you of consult receipt, after 30 days you may inquire by email about its status from your “military email account.”