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Health Services

Warfighter Eye Center (Refractive Surgery)

The Warfighter Eye Center Refractive Surgery and Research Program provides state of the art refractive surgery procedures to our aviators and warfighters.

Services Provided

Our center offers:
  • Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
  • Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
  • ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)
All procedures aim to sharpen uncorrected vision and support optimal readiness to serve our Nation’s needs.
What is Refractive Eye Surgery?
Refractive surgery is a procedure to correct refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) by reshaping the cornea – the clear outermost layer of the eye that functions like a window and focuses light.

What is SMILE, LASIK, and PRK?

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) are outpatient surgical procedures.

With SMILE, a laser is used to create a thin, contact lens shaped layer just beneath the corneal surface. That layer is then removed through a small opening, correcting your vision. The treatment is minimally invasive and requires no flap like LASIK.

With LASIK, a thin flap in the cornea is created by a femtosecond laser.  The surgeon then folds back the flap and an excimer laser reshapes the cornea to correct the patient’s refractive error.  The flap is then placed back in its original position and allowed to heal in place.

With PRK, the surface layer of the cornea is gently removed.  The cornea is then reshaped by an excimer laser.  A bandage contact lens is put in to allow the eye to heal.

Who is eligible to apply for refractive surgery?

Active-duty service members and reservists on full-time orders who meet time left in service requirements.    
**Refractive surgery is not available to active-duty NATO officers, retirees or family members at our facility.

How can I be considered for the surgery?

To apply for the program, each service member must schedule a routine eye exam at a military optometry clinic and submit a completed paper refractive surgery application to our clinic (civilian provider evaluations for the program are not permitted). 

See details on how to get scheduled for an appointment under the “refractive surgery consult form” section below.  Service members must have command support to apply via commanding officer’s signature of approval on the application, be deemed medically eligible by our team, and have a minimum time remaining on full-time active-duty orders.  Minimum time remaining on orders starts day of surgery, not date of the application.


As per program instruction, the following statuses are not eligible for surgery: In a limited duty or medical board status or awaiting adjudication of a medical board already submitted.   

Refractive Surgery Waiting List Information

Our database is very large and surgery schedules are extremely dynamic and complex.  There are 3 priority levels defined by instruction and we have a set number of surgery openings each month.  Applicants are scheduled primarily based on classification at time of submission with “Pr 1” being the highest with head of line privileges.  We schedule a percentage of other priority applicants based on date of application. 

Unfortunately, this makes it impossible to predict waiting times for any individual. We recognize that most applicants are very anxious to have surgery, but we cannot provide estimates.  You have the option to apply for surgery at another military laser center, but you should be prepared to also travel back to the same laser center for all your care related to the surgery. 

Referrals out in town are not permitted as refractive surgery is not a covered benefit for any Tricare beneficiary.

Refractive Surgery Consult Form

  • Download and print the Refractive Surgery Consult Form
  • Completely fill out all your information in Part 1 of the form
  • Schedule a routine optometry appointment at your nearest Military Treatment Facility (MTF) branch clinic.   The vision section on part 2 of the application must be completed and signed off by an MTF vision care provider.  MTF providers have a unique protocol in evaluating surgery applicants that involves being aware of the vision standards of your job and familiarity of military obligations. Civilian providers are therefore not authorized to determine if active-duty service member is a candidate for surgery at a military facility.      
  • Commanding Officer fills out/signs part 3 of the form
  • Email form to 
    usn.hampton-roads.nmrtc-portsmouth-va.mbx.nmcp-refractive-surg-c@health.mil
    Forms must be submitted in pdf format. 
    Incomplete &/or illegible applications, and/or pictures of application will not be accepted. 
  • You should receive an auto-reply message with additional information as confirmation we received your email.  If you do not get that auto-reply within 24 hours, please ensure you typed our email address correctly and check your spam/junk folders.
  • Please allow staff at least 8 weeks to process your application internally, at which time you will receive a 2nd email message to re-confirm application was added to our database.
  • Should any of your contact information change in the interim, please email us at
    usn.hampton-roads.nmrtc-portsmouth-va.mbx.nmcp-refractive-surg-c@health.mil. 

Contact Us

Patient Feedback

Submit Comment Card 

Phone

757-953-7575

Hours

Monday–Friday
7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location

Charette Health Care Center
Building 3, 6th Floor

Availability of Services

Active Duty only

Appointments

Patients need to schedule initial screening at one if the outlying Optometry clinics.  Inform the provider you are interested in Refractive Surgery. Optometry appointments are a self-referral by calling 1-866-645-5445.
 

FAQ

See FAQ link for more information about the process and waiting list.
 

Links

*Updated 21 April 2026
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