The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is participating in "Sight for Soldiers," a statewide effort to provide discounted rates on laser eye surgery for Iowa National Guard soldiers who are scheduled to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2010.

Wearing contact lenses in Afghanistan is impossible due to the dust that permeates everything; and glasses are dangerous in combat due to possible loss or breakage.

Soldiers who are eligible for the discount are being notified by the Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology and the Iowa National Guard, which together have organized the program. Surgeries will be performed by April 30, so there is time for follow-up care before deployment.

UI Hospitals and Clinics physicians are joining all the laser eye surgeons in the state in the program. Laser eye surgery, including LASIK, improves a person's eyesight by reshaping eye tissue.

Laser vision correction at UI Hospitals and Clinics

University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences