From: Lt. Col Maximilian Psolk CRDAMC Chief of Ophthalmology

(April 15, 2008) -- The CRDAMC Refractive Surgery Center is ready to make Soldiers see better with no need for corrective lenses.

The staff is at full strength and ready to treat 60-80 Soldiers weekly for the next 12 months and hopefully beyond.

If you are on active duty and wear glasses or contact lenses to see better, visit us on the second floor of Carl R. Darnall Army Medial Center.

The RSC is located within the CRDAMC-EENT Clinic; phone number is 286-7952.

After an examination, it’ll be determined a Soldier’s eligibility for PRK or LASIK to improve vision and rid those spectacles and contact lenses. Department of Defense requirements are:

o You must have at least 18 months of active-duty service
o You must be nondeployable for three months after the surgery.
o You will be restricted from physical training and field exercises for 30 days after surgery.
o Your commander must sign a letter stating these restrictions are understood and will be enforced.
O You must not wear your contact lenses at least three weeks before your first visit.

Since potential patients are nondeployable for three months after PRK or LASIK, Soldiers should start the process at least four months before your next deployment so that the RSC can schedule your surgery before that three-month window.