PRK O.K. for U.S. Army Special Forces Using Night Vision Goggles

March 7, 2003

SAN FRANCISCO- The refractive surgery technique known as photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK causes no loss of visual resolution, and in fact improves uncorrected visual acuity and visualresolution during use of night vision goggles under a range of night sky conditions. This is the conclusion of a study appearing in this month's issue of Ophthalmology, the clinical journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Eye M.D. Association. The study was sponsored by the U.S. Army Medical Command and conducted at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

In this study, 38 eyes of the 19 active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers received PRK, the second most common form of refractive surgery after LASIK, for correction of nearsightedness and astigmatism. At the three-month postoperative assessment, 33 of the 38 eyes (86.8 percent) achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better. In addition, uncorrected visual resolution was signifigantly enhanced , compared to preoperative levels.

Prem S. Subramanian, MD, PhD, lead author of this study, said, "This improvement may result in soldiers functioning better in a field environment, since their dependence upon and maintenance of glasses and contact lenses would be reduced. In fact, use of glasses or contact lenses can limit or even preclude use of night vision devices, as well as chemical protectivemasks."

Academy spokesperson Robert K. Maloney, MD, said "In this important study, Special Forces soldiers achieved great daytime vision without glasses and contact lenses and improved vision through their night vision goggles, compared to their uncorrected vision before surgery. This study should provide impetus to the U.S. military to consider laser vision correction for all combat soldiers with poor vision. Our remarkable soldiers deserve no less."

Some previous studies have shown side effects after PRK, such as glare, halo, and starburst, noticeable mostly under night viewing conditions. These side effects occur in the early postoperative period, and usually diminish within six months to a year. In a previous military study of PRK, a reduction in contrast sensitivity resolved after three months.