We support the Telemedicine and Advances Technology Research Program with military-focused research on:

• Visual problems after concussions or brain injuries
• Protecting against environmental dangers
• Adapting how eyes react to injury and disease
• Restoring eyesight and vision
• Using tele-robotics and simulation
• Improving refractive surgery techniques
• Educating and training others in eye care

We partner with the DOD and the VA on these types of activities.

• Research collaboration. We collaborate with DOD and VA to tackle health issues. Our partnership involves specific agreements and approvals.

• VA/DOD Collaboration Guidebook. We helped create the VA/DOD Collaboration Guidebook for Healthcare Research. This guidebook helps researchers understand and join VA/DOD partnerships. It provides:
  • Tips for finding and teaming up with researchers who share similar interests.
  • Resources to plan and carry out joint projects effectively.

• VA/DOD Vision Research Project. We work with the DOD and VA on:
  • Studying data on eye problems in depth.
  • Testing out new ways to screen and diagnose eye diseases.
  • Exploring how to use advanced technology to analyze eye care information.

Working with the DOD and VA helps us find better ways to care for our service members and veterans.

Most medical treatments need at least three phases of clinical trials before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves them.

• Phase I: Tests a new drug or treatment on a small group of volunteers to check safety, dosage, and side effects.
• Phase II: Test the drug or treatment on a larger group to assess effectiveness and further evaluate safety.
• Phase III: Give the drug or treatment to an even larger group to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, and compare it with existing treatments.
• Phase IV: After the drug or treatment is on the market, researchers monitor its side effects and collect more information on its performance.

For more details on clinical trials and a list of ongoing public and private trials, visit clinicaltrials.gov.

Clinical Support Tools

We, along with DOD and VA experts, have created a series of Clinical Support Tools for primary and specialty care providers. These can be found on our Provider Resource page.

Fact Sheets

Quick reference guides on important topics

• Visual Field Loss
• Oculomotor Dysfunction Associated with TBI

Pocket Cards

Handy, portable reference cards for easy access to key information.

• Assessment & Management of Oculomotor Dysfunction Associated with TBI
• Eye and Vision Problems Following a Blast Exposure and/or TBI
• Rehabilitation of Visual Field Loss Associated with TBI/ABI

• We make sure everyone has access to vision data that informs better care.
• We lend a hand with research, making sure our eye care, research, and academic communities have the support they need.
• We work closely with eye care professionals, researchers, and academics to continuously improve our approach.

Together, we are making strides in eye care for our military and veterans.

Case definitions

When it comes to finding vision-related health issues, we rely on case definitions. These definitions help us gather correct data that is essential for better care. Here is how we use them:

• Case definitions offer clear guidance for eye doctors, helping them offer the best health advice.
• They help in making informed decisions about treatment and care.
• By using these definitions, our medical teams are well-prepared to manage any vision-related challenges.

Recognizing eye problems early on is crucial:

• Early detection leads to better results in treating eye conditions.
• It enhances the overall quality of life for our service members and veterans.
• Keeping our personnel healthy and their vision sharp is vital for supporting readiness across all operation.