The refractive surgery service at Wilford Hall Medical Center will serve an important readiness role. The readiness benefit from eliminating or reducing the dependency on glasses will be enormous. Serious complications are extremely rare. Infection is the most worrisome complication and fortunately it can usually be eliminated with antibiotic medications. Other possible problems include delayed surface healing, corneal haze or scarring, over- or undercorrection, and the development of astigmatism.
Some individuals can have a poor or excessive healing response.
Most complications remain treatable with medications or further surgery. PRK is one of four refractive surgery procedures being performed in the civilian world. RK was the earliest of these procedures and has proved to lack the desired stable visual correction required for many military jobs, especially in aerospace. RK is not an acceptable option for any active duty person. PRK utilizes a type of laser called an excimer laser to decrease nearsightedness.