Ocular Diseases and Nonbattle Injuries Seen at a Tertiary Care Medical Center during the Global War on Terrorism

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 107 U.S. military personnel referred to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center ophthalmology service with eye diseases and nonbattle injuries diagnosed during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ocular diseases and nonbattle injuries ranged from minor to vision-threatening, represented a broad variety of conditions, and required the expertise of a number of ophthalmic subspecialists. The most common diagnoses were uveitis (13.1%), retinal detachment (11.2%), infectious keratitis (4.7%), and choroidal neovascularization (4.7%). Eighty-four patients (78.5%) met Army retention standards and were returned to duty. Twenty patients (18.7%) were referred to a medical evaluation board, seven (6.5%) of whom failed to meet retention standards for eye and vision; the retention status of three patients (2.8%) remains to be determined.

A hospital based eye health survey to see the pattern of eye diseases in Uttarakhand, India

“…[8][9][10] Out of 1259 patients 8.02% patients were pseudophakic both eyes. Most of them came for refraction and some of them came with nonspecific complaints.…”

Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation in United States Military Warfighters: A Retrospective Analysis of Early Clinical Outcomes of the Visian ICL

“…However, contact lens wear is not authorized in combat zones due to the potential for poor access to proper hygiene and the associated risk of contact lens-related keratitis. [12][13][14] For these reasons, many service members request refractive surgery to improve their ability to accomplish military operations. Excellent uncorrected visual function often is vital to job performance and even survival.…”

Deployment Surveillance Summary, U.S. Army Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn/Operation Enduring Freedom, 2010

“…(21)(22)(23) (b) Ocular preventive measures such as hygiene, contact lens restriction, and protective eyewear use during participation in racquet and contact sports. (24)(25)(26)(27) (c) Vehicle rollover drowning prevention training, rollover simulator training, equipment modifications to prevent rollover accidents, and improved compliance for seatbelt use. (28)(29)(30) (d) Breakaway bases, recessed bases, and proper sliding technique education for softball and baseball sliding injuries.…”