Laser eye surgery for SAS troops

February 2005

Australia’s elite defence force troops are having laser eye surgery to enhance their performance during combat, according to an article in Sydney’s Sun-Herald newspaper on 26/12/2004. A spokesman for the Australian Defence Force said that the surgery was available for troops who have to work in extreme physical environments, where wearing glasses or contact lenses can cause various problems. In the USA, the military launched its Warfighter Refractive Surgery Program in 2000, and approximately 35,000 personnel in the army, navy, and air force have undergone laser eye surgery.

LASIK is the most frequently performed type of laser surgery, but it is not yet permitted for air force pilots until more is know about the effect of altitude on the corneal flap. The PRK and LASEK types of laser eye surgery are also approved by the Australian Defence Force. Personnel who have LASIK can return to work after two days, while those who have LASEK or PRK are generally fit for restricted duties within a week.

One of The Eye Institute’s refractive surgeons, Dr Michael Lawless, is a consultant to the Australian Defence Force, and he has performed the surgery on numerous soldiers. He notes that this type of surgery is virtually essential for personnel who are in the SAS, commando, or counter-terrorism units.