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Does the military pay for PRK?

Author

John Castro

Published Mar 04, 2026

Does the military pay for PRK?

In the Army, both PRK and LASIK are waived for most service personnel. LASIK is performed in the Army; however, surface ablation, such as PRK and LASEK, is the preferred procedure to be performed on combat-bound soldiers and others in special operations.

Keeping this in view, will Air Force pay for PRK?

The military will pay for prior active duty servicemembers, yes, once in a while.

Additionally, how do you qualify for Army PRK? Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery (LASIK Clinic)

  1. Approval by Commanding Officer (rank of O-3 or above)
  2. Regular Active Army must have at least 18 month remaining on active duty at the time of enrollment (or in conjunction with an executed reenlistment action)

Moreover, does the military cover PRK?

In most branches of the American military LASIK and PRK are both routinely performed on active personnel. There are few LASIK disqualifications of military applicants including for aviation. Furthermore, even most of these are reversed upon application for medical waiver after an extensive ocular/visual evaluation.

What is PRK surgery for Military?

PRK is a 10-minute surgical procedure that reshapes the surface curvature of the cornea by gently removing tissue with a cool ultraviolet laser. PRK is a very low-risk procedure but can take up to 90 days to completely heal.

Is PRK covered by Tricare?

TRICARE covers many eye surgeries and treatments. Generally, this includes services and supplies needed to diagnose and treat an eye illness or injury. TRICARE doesn't cover:Refractive corneal surgery.

Can I get PRK in the Navy?

According to AviatorsHQ.com, Army, Navy and Air Force pilot applicants who had PRK or LASIK surgery no longer are disqualified automatically from flight training. Though their vision still could be a disqualifying factor, it is no longer an automatic DQ.

How much does PRK cost?

The cost of PRK surgery usually ranges between $1,000 and $3,000 per eye — with an average of $2,300 — according to our survey of medical centers with upfront pricing. Like any elective medical procedure, your final price will vary from office to office.

Does the VA cover LASIK or PRK?

VA benefits can cover laser eye surgery, such as PRK or LASIK, for people who qualify, particularly if the vision problem was caused by an event that happened during active duty. Additional eye problems covered by VA benefits include loss of vision, acute eye injuries, diabetic retinopathy, and more.

Is LASIK better than PRK?

Ultimately, neither LASIK nor PRK is better or worse than the other. Both are relatively low-risk procedures when performed on suitable candidates, and both are capable of producing exceptional results. Modern technology has made both procedures safer and more dependable than ever before.

Will the military pay for corrective eye surgery?

In the Army, both PRK and LASIK are waived for most service personnel. LASIK is performed in the Army; however, surface ablation, such as PRK and LASEK, is the preferred procedure to be performed on combat-bound soldiers and others in special operations.

Do you get one free cosmetic surgery in the military?

Like most medical care, necessary plastic surgery is provided free by Tricare, the Defense Department agency that manages military health care benefits. Plastic surgery deemed cosmetic must be paid by patients out of pocket, similar to medical insurance practices in the civilian world.

Will the VA pay for cosmetic surgery?

A. Benefits are generally not available for cosmetic, reconstructive and/or plastic surgery except under certain limited circumstances. Benefits may be provided for otherwise covered services and supplies provided in connection with cosmetic, reconstructive, and/or plastic surgery, as outlined in this policy.

Which eye surgery is best for military?

Refractive surgery is often preferable, particularly LASIK or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It's not surprising we see so many people getting LASIK in the military. It's the most common refractive surgery being done today.

Will the Marines pay for LASIK eye surgery?

The Navy and Marine Corps may actually pay for LASIK surgery for soldiers, provided they are not in aviation, diving, or special forces, and they enroll in the Navy LASIK Study program. The surgery may be disqualifying for aviation, diving, and special forces, but is now allowed for most occupational specialties.

Are veneers covered by Tricare?

Veneers as a restorative procedure may be covered through TRICARE's Active Duty Dental, the TRICARE Dental Program, or the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program; they won't be covered for cosmetic reasons.

How do I get Tricare to pay for breast implants?

"Tricare covers breast augmentation for the following reasons: 1) After one breast has undergone post-mastectomy reconstructive surgery the opposite breast may have an augmentation procedure to bring it into symmetry with the reconstructed breast.

Does LASIK disqualify you for Air Force?

Can air force pilots have LASIK? The air force website states that corrective surgery can disqualify applicants for certain roles; however, air force pilot LASIK has been permissible since 2007.

Does LASIK fix astigmatism?

“With LASIK surgery, patients can expect better vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. It can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism,†Robert L.

What happens after PRK laser eye surgery?

Mild discomfort, including minor eye irritation and watering, for 1 to 3 days after the procedure. A longer recovery time. People who get LASIK notice improvements in less than a month. With PRK it can take 1 to3 months.

Can Navy Seals have LASIK?

(8) Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), LASEK, intraocular lens implants, or hard contact lens wear for keratoconus within the preceding 3 months are disqualifying for candidates.

Can you wear contacts in the military?

In the air force and navy, wearing contact lenses seems compatible with nearly all military duties. It was recommended that for nearly all functions and/or conditions, wearing of contact lenses should be allowed, but that during extended field exercises wearing of hard contact lenses should be discouraged.

Can I become a fighter pilot after LASIK?

Those who take medicine to lower their blood pressure can fly the fighter aircraft. Similarly, those who underwent a Lasik surgery at least a year before flying are also being permitted. Experienced pilots who wear glasses are permitted to fly the jets, which was not the case earlier.

Can I get LASIK in the military?

LASIK is a safe procedure that most military personnel, pilots and first responders can have if they are deemed good candidates for it. Previously, PRK was the preferred procedure for people in these fields; however, the healing time is longer with PRK than it is for LASIK.

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