because procedures like Lasik changed army standards for eyesight,



but his severe myopia made him an unsustainable candidate says Los

Angeles Lasik surgeon. Myopia also called near or short

sightedness, can be corrected with refractive surgery. Myopia is a

refractive defect of the eye in which nearby objects can be seen

clearly but distant objects appear blurred.

While on night patrol in Baghdad, Chapman's thick glasses would

frequently fog up during his last tour of duty. His glasses would

also slip down his face and obscure his vision under his protective

shield. ?It's frustrating to limit the field of vision so much,?

Chapman said. Contacts are prohibited because of sandstorms and

hygiene and Chapman is too near-sighted for laser eye surgery. So

Chapman turned to Dr. Manus Kraff who has provided free procedures

to about 200 soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Earlier

this month, Chapman had Visian ICL (implantable Collamer Lens) set

in his right eye at the Kraff Eye Institute in Chicago. The implant

surgery has given Chapman 20/20 eye sight. He said he enjoyed

driving without glasses and seeing the actual time on the alarm

clock instead of just hearing it.

While his duties in the Army Civil Affairs brigade are focused on

teaching Iraqis how to set up local governments, Chapman looks

forward to being able to better watch his surroundings.

?It's the little things here, but over there it's the big things,?

Chapman said of the benefits of improved vision.