Troops with contact lenses may get free laser surgery (UK)

David Rose and Michael Evans

Combat troops who wear contact lenses and struggle to cope in the dusty conditions of Iraq and Afghanistan may be offered free laser eye surgery, The Times has been told.

Lieutenant-General Louis Lillywhite, the Surgeon-General, said that he had ordered an internal review because of the pressure he was under to find a solution for troops complaining of eyesight difficulties.

Soldiers have contracted corneal ulcers and other infections after wearing contact lenses for days at a time. Wearing glasses is often considered impractical in the heat of combat. General Lillywhite said that providing laser surgery for combat troops who would normally have to wear corrective lenses was being considered.

source: Times Online