The October 30th, 2007 article A Clearer View of the World by Jan Water discusses the recent approval of laser vision correction surgery by NASA for their astronauts. The technology has also been approved by the military and is especially sought after by Navy SEALS and aviators for vision enhancement. Glasses and contacts can present astronauts and military personnel in difficult environments with a host of problems. Repeated rigorous testing has shown that with the current advanced forms of Lasik, virtually no complications have arisen due to environmental conditions.It is the latest advancements in laser vision correction surgery that have enabled NASA to approve the technology for astronauts. The current, more advanced method is dubbed by its creator as “Advanced CustomVue with Intralase” and has been around for about four years. This procedure uses a femtosecond laser that is completely computer-guided, eliminating several possible complications associated with the older mechanical blade technique. Also, with the new procedure a second laser comprehensively maps the patient’s eye and problems specific to the individual are corrected with the laser. The new Lasik procedure is about 25 times more precise than the mechanical blade technique.Dr. Steve Schallhorn, the recently retired head of Refractory Surgery for the U.S. Navy, performed numerous and extensive research studies on the Lasik procedure. Dr. Schallhorn presented more than enough evidence that the new computer guided laser procedure is extremely safe and that no complications of any consequence appear to be a problem under the environmental conditions that aviators and other key personal endure. With the military and NASA approving the new laser vision correction techniques for its people, the general public should feel confident in the safety and effectiveness of this technology. For more information, read the entire article at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071030/FAMILY/110300020