The US Air Force’s Wilford Hall’s Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center performed the center’s 50,000th laser eye surgery on 2 weeks ago after opening in the year 2000. Prior to the opening of the Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center, the Air Force had been performing PRK laser vision correction since 1995. The Air Force calls laser eye surgery “weapons grade vision” for good reason. For USAF fighters in a deployed environment, glasses are prone to fogging and can break while contact lens wear can be dangerous in combat situations with poor hygene. In the words of Lt. Col. (Dr.) Matthew Caldwell of the USAF 59th Medical Wing:

“For the warfighter, being able to see clearly in the critical moment can be the difference between life and death. For me as an eye surgeon deployed to Afghanistan, not being reliant on glasses was a huge benefit, but for so many others who are actually out on the front lines with their lives at risk, the benefit of refractive surgery is much greater than convenience. It makes them more functional and safer.”

I have performed customized wavefront laser vision correction on many pilots who have told me how important great vision without glasses or contacts is to them. I hear the same thing from first responders such as those in law enforcement or firefighting for similar reasons: at a time of crisis it is important to not have to rely on glasses or contacts!