NASA And Military See Benefits To LASIK

Saturday, March 1, 2008

(NAPSA)—Today NASA and the U.S. military increase the poten- S tial of mission-critical personnel using laser vision correction technologies that have benefited civilians for more than five years. An all-laser form of LASIK has been tapped by the Departmentof Defense (DOD) and NASA to improve the vision of specialized personnel facing extreme, physically demanding conditions. “The DOD and NASAhavevalidated the fact that today’s LASIK exceeds all established standards of safety and effectiveness,” said Steven Schallhorn, M.D., a retired U.S. Navy captain and leader of clinical research and investigative studies done for the DOD that involve the use of LASIK. “Thanks to the surgery, their specialists won't need to fumble with glasses at critical and potentially dangerous points in their mission.” Modern LASIK, knowntocivilians as the iLASIK”™Procedure, uses two lasers instead of one, as in earlier versions of the procedure. In the first stage of iLASIK, wavefront technology maps the unique characteristics of the individual’s eyes. Then, an ultrafast, computerguided laser creates a corneal flap. This laser replaces the handheld microkeratome blade used in older forms of LASIK and makesthe procedure exceptionally safe. After the flap is created, the wave-front mapping data guides a second laser for vision correction. The combination of these advanced laser technologies creates a custom-fit procedure clinically proven to provide excellent safety through reduced flap complications and visualresults. While LASIK is a thoroughly tested and extremely commonelective procedure, NASA based its approval on 45 independent additional clinical studies conducted by the DOD to ensure the procedure’s safety and effectiveness for military personnel. So far, more than Astronauts and soldiers are now using a common procedure to improvevision. 112,000 service members have benefited from laser vision correction. “T’ve heard from soldiers deployed to the Middle East after having LASIK who report that their improved vision saved their lives, particularly since contact lens use was prohibited,” said Dr. Schallhorn. “From jet fighters to sharpshooters, the military elite have entrusted their vision to modern LASIK to improve their performance.” Some notable results of the DOD’s evaluation of modern LASIK in 100 military personnel showed that 95 percent achieved 20/20 uncorrected vision or better. In onestudy, 95 percent of marksmen improved their skills after laser vision correction. When asked, 100 percent of naval aviators having undergone the procedure would recommend the surgery to other naval aviators. “Technologically speaking, there is no better time than now to join the over 12 million Americans who have benefited from LASIK,” said Dr. Schallhorn. “Even the most extreme lifestyle can’t compare to being ejected from an F-18 or the g-forces of atmospheric blastoff. If LASIK is safe enough for astronauts, it’s safe enough for the rest of us.” For more information, visit www.ilasik.com.

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