Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

For Thousands of Troops, Eye Surgery is Key to Vision Readiness

Image of A surgical team with the Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg monitors the progress of a patient's surgery inside the Ophthalmology Clinic's Refractive Surgery suite. A surgical team with the Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg monitors the progress of a patient's surgery inside the Ophthalmology Clinic's Refractive Surgery suite. (Photo by Jerome Mapp)

For military eye doctors and eye surgeons, one of their top priorities is to preserve and enhance vision for the service members who need it most, including those in career fields like aviation, special operations and the security forces. 

The core of this effort is the Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program, which has supported more than 750,000 surgical procedures during the past 20 years.  The surgical procedures, which include Lasik and PRK surgery, often aim to eliminate service members’ dependence on glasses or contact lenses in austere environments. 

“Our goal is to enable our warfighters to qualify and continue in professions that might require excellent uncorrected vision,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Tyler Miles, an aerospace optometrist at the Navy Refractive Surgery Center at Naval Medical Center San Diego. 

To help the military’s vision care community stay up to date on the latest technology and research, the 2022 Military Refractive Surgery Safety and Strategy Symposium (MRSSSS) convened in late January.  This year’s symposium was conducted virtually due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. 

The symposium focused attention on how to enhance vision on the battlefield, to make headgear and goggles less burdensome and to improve standardization and optimization across the Military Health System.  Refractive surgery is a model in the Defense Health Agency for standardization and optimization of procedures across 26 military warfighter eye centers. 

Laser eye surgery is available to all active duty service members who are medically and administratively qualified. While it is classified as an elective surgery, patients are often extremely happy with the outcome and their decision to have a Lasik or PRK procedure. 

“For most military members, the enhanced readiness and safety they find after their surgery is often cited as one of the best decisions they have made in their military career,” Miles said. 

The Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program was initially designed to provide a combat-vision edge to Navy SEALS, Special Forces and other warfighters through a variety of corrective surgery options. 

Since its inception in 2001, the research, technology and experience have allowed the program to expand and include all active duty service members, including aviators.

You also may be interested in...

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

Article Around MHS
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.

Ensuring Sight for Flight at Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor

Article Around MHS
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.

Dizziness and Visual Problems After Concussion

Infographic
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

Acute Concussion Care Pathway: MACE 2 and PRA Training

Publication
5/12/2023

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence is hosting a combined Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2 and Progressive Return to Activity clinical recommendation virtual training.

Report Reveals Military Hearing Loss is Stable

Article
4/24/2023
Report Reveals Military Hearing Loss is Stable

The Defense Health Agency’s Hearing Center of Excellence Military Hearing Conservation Report for fiscal year 2021 revealed that hearing loss in the Department of Defense remains relatively stable among service members and civilians enrolled in hearing conservation programs.

Concussion Protocols Aid Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Article
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.

Walter Reed Audiology and Speech Pathology Center Focuses on Improving Quality of Life for Military Health System Beneficiaries

Article Around MHS
3/15/2023
World Hearing Day is observed annually on March 3, and this year’s theme is “Ear and Hearing Care for All.”  (Courtesy photo)

Although World Hearing Day is observed just one day during the year, the Audiology and Speech Pathology Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center focuses on improving the health and quality of life for MHS beneficiaries nearly every day of the year.

VCE Makes Laser Eye Exposure Treatment Recommendations

Article
2/9/2023
Demonstration of new retinal camera

Vision Center of Excellence issues first treatment practice recommendations for laser eye exposure.

Hearing Noises That Aren’t There? It Could Be Tinnitus

Article Around MHS
2/9/2023
Hearing Issues infographic

Are the noises you're hearing real or imagined? If you've ever wondered that, you may have a condition that 10 percent of the adult population of the United States currently suffer from -- and not even know it.

Vision Center of Excellence Sponsoring Landmark Eye Health Study

Article
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.

Eyes on Vision Readiness

Article Around MHS
1/27/2023
Military personnel gets eye exam

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.

Progressive Return to Activity: Primary Care for Acute Concussion Management

Publication
1/23/2023

The Progressive Return to Activity (PRA): Primary Care for Acute Concussion Management clinical recommendation is an evidence-based return to activity protocol for primary care managers and concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI) clinic providers. The PRA is a six-step approach that begins after the provider performs the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2 (MACE 2) and diagnoses the patient with a concussion/TBI. The PRA stages start with relative rest and allow service members to gradually increase activities until they receive clearance for return to full duty or activity. In each stage, it offers general and military specific activities and options to help providers manage their patients’ primary symptom clusters. The PRA also offers recommendations on specialty referrals and handouts are available for providers to give patients and leadership.

Hearing Protector Fit-Testing Requirement in the Department of Defense

Fact Sheet
1/12/2023

Significant updates to the Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6055.12 “Hearing Conservation Program” are expected to be published in April 2023. The significant change is a new requirement for initial hearing protector fit-testing to be conducted for all DOD personnel who have documented noise exposure greater than or equal to 95 dBA 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and who are enrolled in a service hearing conservation program (HCP).

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Infographic
12/6/2022
National Glaucoma Awareness Month

There’s no cure for glaucoma, but early detection and treatment can protect your vision. Learn more and see if you’re at risk. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/glaucoma-resources/glaucoma-awareness-month #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth

Healthy Sleep Following Concussion/mTBI Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
11/16/2022

Getting restful sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health, and it often takes thoughtful preparation during the day. This fact sheet offers service members and veterans who experience sleep disturbances after a concussion with healthy sleep tips that can likely improve sleep.

Page 1 of 5 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 5 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 31, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery