(2) what representations he has received from organisations and individuals on the provision of laser eye surgery for personnel with visual defects to improve their operational effectiveness.
For personnel in specified groups or professions, the MOD already provides certain refractive devices, including defence and respirator spectacles, corrective flying spectacles, and soft contact lenses.
Current departmental policy permits the majority of personnel in all three services to undergo certain forms of Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS). Procedures which are in most cases permitted are Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK); Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK); Laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK); and Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS). Procedures not permitted are radial keratotomy (RK), astigmatic keratotomy (AK), or any form of invasive intraocular surgical procedure.
However, more stringent regulations apply to aircrew in all three services, for whom only PRK and LASEK are permitted.
The Defence Medical Services (DMS) have received informal, representations from a few companies offering to provide laser eye surgery for service personnel. There is evidence of improving safety and efficacy of laser eye surgery and DMS specialists are currently engaged in reviewing this evidence in the military context.