I currently want to pursue OCS and then flight school (PILOT). I was curious if anyone knew if PRK and/or LASIK would disqualify me? My vision right now is not good and that alone disqualifies me. Could someone give me some info on this? I found in the aviation medical manual this: History of radial keratotomy, PRK, LASIK or other refractive surgery is disqualifying. When they say "HISTORY" does this mean before you joined the CG? I'm actually confused because my doc (military) said I could get Lasik but extensive waivers would have to come into play. Thanks. Any help would be appreciated.

You may want to search the CGMS archives for messages on the subject.

Do not get LASIK.

Contact one of the HS CPO's at Air Station Traverse City or Super Sick Bay Detroit with your question. They now the flight physical inside and out and are the best to guide you.

AMT1

I actually contacted the sick bay and talked to a flight surgeon and they told me that LASIK could get a waiver. Then I found this contradicting information in the medical manual. The doc didn't seem to sure about his answers to my questions. I have been looking in the CGMS archives and I can't find anything. Thanks for your responses.

Check Section 3 G. 13 in the Medical Manual

http://www.uscg.mil/HQ/G-W/G-WK/WKH/PUBS/INDEX.HTM

ALCOAST 285/05 did have the information you might need.

The Medical Manual has been changed since.

I'm not an HS..

Air Station Medical might be able to help.

Here's a link to the ALCOAST referred to above:
http://www.uscg.mil/reserve/msg05/coast285_05.htm

Read it carefully.

Straight from the Medical Manual:

13. Refractive Surgery.
All Classes: Certain Corneal refractive surgery can be waived for all classes.
NOTE: Class 1 can only undergo refractive surgery while serving in a nonflying
status. Only PRK and variants of custom wave form, LASEK and epi-LASIK are approved. These procedures must be done in a DoD MTF by a DoD
ophthalmologist. No procedure with a corneal stromal flap will be considered for
aviation personnel. This includes LASIK, WHICH IS DISQUALIFYING, NO
WAIVER RECOMMENDED. Other corneal refractive surgery, rings or
implants are disqualifying and will not be considered. The PRK procedure,
which is approved, must be performed at a MTF for all aviation classes. No
waivers will be granted for PRK performed by a civilian provider. (Exception:
see Chap 3.Section G.6.a(3)(c) for SNA candidate requirements)
a. All pre-operative, operative and post operative medical records must be
submitted for review by the waiver authority.
b. Preoperative refractive limits: Sphere: -8.00 to +6.00 diopters. Cylinder: -
3.00 to +3.00 diopters. Anisometropia: 3.5 diopters.
c. Post-operative refractive stability. Demonstration of post-operative
refractive stability shall be demonstrated by 2 consecutive manifest
refractions, obtained at least 30 days apart. For those with a pre-operative
refraction of plano to -5.50 diopters of sphere the initial post operative
refraction should be no sooner than 30 days after the surgery. A follow up refraction shall be done no sooner than 30 days after the initial post refraction. For those with a pre-operative refraction of -5.75 to -8.00 diopters of sphere or +0.25 to +6.00 diopters of sphere, the earliest manifest refraction is at 6 months post-op.
d. Refractive stability. If refractive stability is demonstrated as evidenced by
less than a 0.50 diopters change over two separate exams at least four weeks
apart, then the member can apply to CGPC for a waiver 3 months after
surgery. The post-operative manifest refractions can vary by no more than
0.50 diopters. Waiver consideration will not be made until this is achieved.
e. Quality of vision questionnaire. The member must not have any visual
complaints post operatively per the quality of vision questionnaire which is
to be included in the waiver package. This form can be found on the
following Commandant (CG-112) Web Site:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wk/wkh/index%202.htm.
f. Post operative standards. Post operatively the member must meet all
aviation visual standards in this section. (Member must have 20/20 vision
or vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes)
g. Submission of a waiver request and follow up will be IAW applicable
message or COMDTINST. All required follow up exams will be
accomplished on time and be within guidelines or conditions of the waiver
will be deemed not met and the member will be grounded and required to
re-submit the waiver request.
h. A quality of vision questionnaire and visual acuity check is to be done every
three months for one year after the surgery. This information is to be noted
in the member’s medical record and reviewed by the flight surgeon.
i. LASIK is disqualifying for aviation duty and landing signal officer duty.

LASIK DQ for aviation, diving, other similar fields

Also read the Aviation Medicine manual. PRK can DQ you also. If you do not follow the outlined precedure to procure the surgery.