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Vision Center of Excellence

The Vision Center of Excellence leads and advocates for programs and initiatives with the following three inter-related goals: to improve vision health, optimize readiness, and enhance quality of life for Service members and Veterans.

By working to improve vision health, optimizing readiness and enhancing quality of life for Service members and Veterans, VCE promotes collaboration, facilitates integration and serves as an advocate for vision across the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems. Further collaborative efforts with other federal health care organizations, academia and private sector organizations allow VCE to enhance development of VCE program priorities for research and quality care initiatives. Learn More About VCE

What We Do

VCE maximizes the potential for effective prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and disorders of the visual system through its collaborative efforts and helps facilitate the identification of research capabilities within and between DOD and VA.

For Providers

VCE provides information, resources and continuing education training on eye injury prevention and responses to concerns specifically tailored to health care professionals. 

Learn More about Treatment Options

For Service Members

There are many resources available to service members. VCE offers an organized and comprehensive list of resources including DOD, VA, state and other national resources.

Find a Vision Resource

For Families & Beneficiaries

VCE can help family members find answers to your questions about eye injury prevention and response. Through partnerships with the DOD, VA, and a national network of military and civilian agencies, community leaders, advocacy groups, clinical experts, and academic institutions, VCE provides resources to help you with your concerns.

Get Answers Now

Vision Research

VCE continually strives to improve the recognition and management of ocular injuries and vision-threatening conditions across military and veteran populations. Such efforts supporting improved care and coordination of care are essential for maintaining the visual performance of U.S. Service Members and Veterans.

Explore VCE Research

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Navy Expeditionary Medical Unit Rotations Provide Ongoing Support in the Middle East

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5/30/2023
U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Freeman Morrison, a biomedical technician, left, and U.S. Navy Lt. j. g. Andrew Mappus, an emergency room nurse, right, assigned to Navy Expeditionary Medical Unit 10- Gulf, Rotation 13, are monitoring an U.S. Army Medic Task Force Buckeye, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as he draws blood from an soldier on Dec. 20. (Photo by U.S. Navy Capt. Jerrol Walla)

The 30-member team conducted enhanced shore-based activities at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, where they provided life, limb, and eyesight-saving care to the U.S. armed forces, Department of Defense, civilian contractors, and multi-national coalition forces. They also provided critical support to facilities in the Eastern Syria Security Area.

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Ensuring Sight for Flight at Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor

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5/23/2023
Ocular trauma training with a focus on foreign body removal was conducted at Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor’s Optometry by U.S. Navy Lt. Courtney Rafferty, clinic optometrist, assisted by U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christopher Cruz. The training covered such optical concerns as removing metallic foreign bodies from the eye. The techniques used were part of ensuring competency to provide comprehensive eye and vision care needed for optimal – and ocular - mission readiness (Courtesy Photo)

May is recognized by the Defense Health Agency as Health Vision and Hearing Month, U.S. Navy Lt. Courtney C. Rafferty, Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor optometrist, explains the critical importance attached to the monthly theme.

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Dizziness and Visual Problems After Concussion

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5/22/2023
Graphic containing general information on dizziness and vision problems after a traumatic brain injury. Visit health.mil/TBIFactSheets and download related fact sheets for information.

More than 80% of all concussions—also known as mild traumatic brain injury—in the military are considered mild. Dizziness and visual problems are among the most common symptoms after concussion and often resolve within days or weeks

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Concussion Protocols Aid Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

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4/17/2023
Concussion Protocols Aid Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Whether on the sport field or the battlefield, the Defense Health Agency is the global leader in research on the effects of concussion—known as mild traumatic brain injury—in the military. Its research has fueled the development of protocols to help providers assess and treat concussion from initial injury to acute and post-acute medical settings, rehabilitation, and, ultimately, a return to family, community, work, continued duty, or recreation.

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VCE Makes Laser Eye Exposure Treatment Recommendations

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2/9/2023
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Vision Center of Excellence issues first treatment practice recommendations for laser eye exposure.

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Vision Center of Excellence Sponsoring Landmark Eye Health Study

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2/8/2023
Military personnel in eye exam

Eye problems can end military careers. Now, there's new study that could launch a better way to screen and track service members' vision heath. See why expanding the current guidelines for routine eye care can help you.

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Eyes on Vision Readiness

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1/27/2023
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Good eyesight is often take for granted, but vision impairment can be the difference between mission success and mission failure. Find out what's happening on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling so airmen in the National Capital Region remain sharply focused on their U.S. Air Force missions.

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Vision Research Month

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5/19/2022
Vision Research Month

It’s #VisionResearchMonth! Thanks to talented doctors and scientists committed to researching vision, we have the tools at our disposal to keep our eyesight #MissionReady at all times. https://health.mil/VCEHome

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New Centers Will Deliver Advanced Care for Serious Eye Injuries

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4/27/2022
Army Brig. Gen. Katherine Simonson, Defense Health Agency Deputy Assistant Director of the Research and Engineering Directorate, and Dr. Barclay Butler, Assistant Director for Management, DHA, talks with Army Lt. Col. Samantha Rodgers, Ophthalmology chief (left), during a tour and designation ceremony April 19 at the Ocular Trauma Center – San Antonio Region, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The designation ceremony marked the launch of DHA’s first Ocular Trauma Center, comprised of personnel from Brooke Army Medical Center and the 59th Medical Group. (Photo: Larine H. Barr, DOD)

The Defense Health Agency launched the first of four Ocular Trauma Centers, which will become primary hubs for the treatment of complex eye injuries and development of cutting-edge research programs.

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Vision and Hearing Primary Graphic

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4/25/2022
Vision Hearing Awareness Primary Graphic

Hearing and vision are vital components of force readiness and quality of life. Regular hearing and vision checkups can ensure you are #SightandSoundReady. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/796691/stay-sight-and-sound-ready

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Keep Your Eyes and Ears Healthy

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4/25/2022
Vision Hearing Awareness connect Infographic

Vision and hearing health impact every aspect of our lives. Protect your senses so that you can stay ready and connected. https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Total-Force-Fitness/Preventive-Health/Vision-and-Hearing-Loss-Prevention #SightandSoundReady

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7 Ways to Protect Your Eyes and Ears

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4/25/2022
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Be #SightandSoundReady Make protecting your eyes and ears a readiness priority by following these seven steps. If you have signs of hearing or vision loss, make an appointment with your local military hospital or clinic, or visit: https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Vision/EyeExams/a; https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/HearingExams

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Wear Approved Safety Eye Protection, Save Your Vision

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3/25/2022
Gunner with 1Brigade Combat Team 82nd Division wears shaded eye protection as he fires his M249 at Rotation 21-05 at the Joint Readiness Training Center. (Photo: Capt. Joseph Warren)

The Tri-Service Vision Conservation and Readiness Branch, or TSVCRB, encourages service members to wear eye protection while at work and at home to prevent eye injuries.

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Ask the Doc: Can a Concussion Affect Hearing and Vision?

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3/16/2022
Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, a physical therapist for the Fort Drum Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Clinic, New York, uses a model of the inner ear on Feb. 27, 2019, to demonstrate how a concussion can cause inner ear, or vestibular, damage which may result in dizziness, anxiety, depression, moodiness, balance problems and irritability to name a few. (Photo: Warren W. Wright Jr., Fort Drum MEDDAC)

Even a mild concussion can lead to hearing and vision problems.

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Data Registry Helps Improve Research and Treatment for Eye Injuries

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Pvt. Second Class Jagger Dixon, treats an eye injury during Expert Infantryman Badge testing, June 15, 2021, at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Dixon is a soldier with B Company; 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Soldiers must successfully execute a variety of warrior tasks to earn their EIB. (Photo: Army Spc. Kay Edwards, 27th Public Affairs Detachment)

Eye injury registry (DVEIVR) transforms data into usable information to help improve initial warfighter care and rehabilitation.

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Last Updated: April 28, 2022
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