Lasik Eye Correction

Why is PRK preferred over LASIK if you want to become a pilot?

Is it impossible to become a pilot if you have had LASIK? Why is PRK preferred over LASIK? Eye doctors and opthalmologists under you, can you give an answer to this? PRK has a longer recovery period, but still is it safer than LASIK, which seems to have a very fast recovery compared to LASIK? Can anyone recommend a good web site where I can get all this kind of information?

Public Comments

1. I may not be getting this 100% correct, but my sister is trying to become a pilot and she had to get PRK because of the fact that LASIK involves peeling back a layer of the eye, making the correction, then relaying that layer. The thing is, is that the layer never really "heals", and if you ever have further corrections made, they no longer need peel back a layer as that cut was made in the initial surgery. Pilots are put under more strenuous conditions, so they need PRK. I would recommend looking up more info about what PRK and LASIK are on wikipedia or other sites.
2. PRK does not leave the flap of eye "skin" that LASIK does since pilots undergo G forces and can't have their eye getting messed up mid flight PRK is the preferred method. I'm sure LASIK will be approved for flight after some testing but if I was trying to be a pilot I would not risk it. Although my 10 seconds googling it found this http://www.clearsight.com/index.cfm/news/news32 which says LASIK is already approved for military pilots so I'm sure it is for all.