Night firing range performance following photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis

Kraig S. Bower, Jenna M. Burka, Prem S. Subramanian, Richard D. Stutzman, Michael J. Mines, Jeff C. Rabin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of laser refractive surgery on night weapons firing. Methods: Firing range performance was measured at baseline and postoperatively following photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis. Subjects fired the M-16A2 rifle with night vision goggles (NVG) at starlight, and with iron sight (simulated dusk). Scores, before and after surgery, were compared for both conditions. Results: No subject was able to acquire the target using iron sight without correction before surgery. After surgery, the scores without correction (95.9 ± 4.7) matched the preoperative scores with correction (94.3 ± 4.0; p = 0.324). Uncorrected NVG scores after surgery (96.4 ± 3.1) exceeded the corrected scores before surgery (91.4 ± 10.2), but this trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.063). Conclusion: Night weapon firing with both the iron sight and the NVG sight improved after surgery. This study supports the operational benefits of refractive surgery in the military.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)468-471
Number of pages4
JournalMilitary medicine
Volume171
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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