Skip to main content

Military Health System

VCE examines low vision with detection and care

Image of military health personnel wearing a mask and performing an eye exam. military health personnel wearing a mask and performing an eye exam

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Mobile Apps | Medical Research and Development | | Centers of Excellence | Vision and Hearing Loss Prevention

“There are many types of low vision, ranging from small to life-changing issues,” explained Dr. David Eliason, associate chief of the Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vision Center of Excellence.

With February designated as Low Vision Awareness Month, Eliason, the VCE and other eye specialists within the Defense Health Agency are focused on the variety of causes and cases of low vision within the military.

“People also become low vision for a variety of reasons,” said Eliason. “Because needs and treatments are as varied as the cases, the DOD is in the unique position of having the greatest variety of low vision patients compared with other medical systems.”

Causes of low vision range from hereditary to environmental factors, but what exactly is “low vision?”

“A broad definition of ‘low vision,’ in the past, may have been anyone with vision worse than a particular level. For example, they don’t see any better than 20/70 or 20/80 in both eyes,” said Eliason. “However, most low vision specialists prefer a practical approach to defining low vision as simply a loss of vision that has resulted in a decrease in desired visual function or ability for that person.”

This usually means a loss of visual function in both eyes, added Eliason.

“We tend to be able to perform fairly well if we lose vision in just one eye, but still have normal vision in the other eye,” Eliason said.

Low vision, said Eliason, disproportionately affects older populations.

“The impacts of low vision can be felt across the patient spectrum within the DOD, from active-duty service members to retirees and dependents,” said Eliason. “Naturally, though, the majority of low vision patients are dependents and retirees simply because the demographics of the active-duty population is going to put them within the healthiest groups of the general population. That’s also not factoring in the fact that they are remaining on active duty because they obviously don’t have a disability that is limiting their function.”

But the number of service members dealing with low vision is significant. Many times, individuals find themselves continuing to serve in some capacity, even as they are separating or retiring because of low vision.

“The process may be long enough that their vision loss requires attention prior to their separation,” Eliason said. “Even though they may be in the process of leaving the DOD, that doesn’t mean that things can be put off or not addressed until they separate.”

In other cases, he said, low vision may be just one of many combat-related injuries that a patient is dealing with.

Eliason said a plan should be in place for their post-separation eyecare, whether that be with the Department of Veterans Affairs or out in the community.

Military personnel wearing a mask performing an eye exam
Air Force Airman 1st Class Hannah Schaeffer (right) performs an eye exam on fellow 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Medical Technician Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexis Workman at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station in Pennsylvania in Dec. 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Fritz)

“The VCE [Vision Center of Excellence] was designed to evaluate the continuum of care that a DOD patient would undergo with a significant eye injury, starting at prevention and going all the way through to detection, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of an eye injury and what results afterward, including vision rehabilitation,” Eliason said.

Part of the mission of the VCE is also to bridge the gap between active-duty and post active-duty vision care, specifically with the VA.

VCE connects the DOD and the VA because the DOD does not traditionally offer long-term rehabilitation.

“It’s understandable why,” Eliason said. The priority of the DOD is the readiness of its fighting force, and the medical force that supports that.”

Additionally, Eliason said, in cases where low vision may be caused by damage from hazards encountered as part of one’s job, safety and prevention are key.

“Prevention measures are command- and occupation-specific,” said Eliason. “But for cases that are based on hereditary factors, some cases aren’t preventable or predictable and may surface in younger service members unannounced. Our mission is to be looking at what factors lead to eye injuries, as well as short-term and long-term impacts of vision injuries and vision rehabilitation.”

With the VA taking on responsibilities for rehabilitation, it allows military medical treatment facilities to focus on more traditional aspects of vision care like routine care, testing, and surgeries.

“The VA has a large, nationwide, robust vision rehabilitation program, and a memorandum of understanding is in place that allows the VA to see active-duty personnel for vision rehabilitation,” said Eliason. “That gives the DOD a chance to focus on other aspects of vision care.”

As a one of several centers of excellence within of the Defense Health Agency, the VCE leads and advocates for programs and initiatives with the inter-related goals of improving vision health, optimizing readiness, and enhancing the quality of life for service members and veterans. VCE promotes collaboration, facilitates integration, and serves as an advocate for vision across the DOD and VA healthcare systems. VCE also collaborates with other federal health care organizations, academia, and private sector organizations.

You also may be interested in...

MSMR Vol. 5 No. 3 – April 1999

Report
1/1/1999

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Editorial; Hospitalization Trends, U.S. Army, 1998; Selected sentinel reportable events, March 1999; Selected sentinel reportable events, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, March 1999; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Active duty hospitalizations; Active duty hospitalization rates; Hospitalization-related lost duty days; Hospitalization-related lost duty rates; Ambulatory trends, U.S. Army, 1998; ARD surveillance update; Active duty ambulatory visits; Active duty ambulatory rates; Reportable events, 1998; All reportable events, 1998; Sentinel reportable events, 1998 (vs. 1997); Sentinel reportable STD's, 1998 (vs. 1997); Force strength (December 1998); Supplement #1: Hospitalization summary, 1998; Supplement #2: Ambulatory summary, 1998; Supplement #3: Reportable events summary, 1998.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 5 No. 7 – October/November 1999

Report
1/1/1999

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Acute respiratory illnesses, pneumonias, and influenza, U.S. Army, January 1998 - May 1999; Sentinel reportable events by reporting facility; Sentinel reportable events, active duty soldiers; Predictors of accidental death in male soldiers, 1990-1998; Injuries among senior officers, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; ARD surveillance update; Supplement #1: Reportable medical events; Quarterly update, all reportable conditions, 1999; Sentinel reportable events; Sentinel reportable STDs; Active duty force strength (June 1999).

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 5 No. 2 – March 1999

Report
1/1/1999

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Overhydration/hyponatremia, recent trends, U.S. Army; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, February 1999; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, February 1999; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Field study, ARD, U.S. Army trainees, Fort Jackson, SC; ARD surveillance update Correction: Mortality trends, active duty military, 1990-1997.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 5 No. 5 – June/July 1999

Report
1/1/1999

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Active duty, 1985-1999; Reserve, 1985-1999; National Guard, 1985-1999; Civilian applicants for service; Program summary, U.S. Army, 1999; Selected sentinel reportable events, June 1999; Selected sentinel reportable events, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, June 1999; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Histoplasmosis outbreak, U.S. soldiers, Panama; ARD surveillance update; Supplement #2: Reportable medical events; Quarterly update, all reportable conditions, 1999; Sentinel reportable diseases, 1999 (vs. 1998); Sentinel reportable STD's, 1999 (vs. 1998); Active duty force strength (March 1999); Supplement #1: Update: HIV-1 screening, US Army.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 5 No. 8 – December 1999

Report
1/1/1999

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Malaria experience among U.S. active duty soldiers 1997-1999; Sentinel reportable events by reporting facility; Sentinel reportable events, active duty soldiers; Incidence of diabetes mellitus among active duty service members, U.S. Armed Services 1998; Completeness and timeliness of reporting of hospitalized notifiable cases, U.S. Army, January 1999 - June 1999; ARD surveillance update; Completeness and timeliness of reporting of hospitalized notifiable cases, U.S. Navy, January 1998 - June 1999.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 5 No. 6 – August/September 1999

Report
1/1/1999

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Eye injuries, active duty soldiers, 1993 – 1998; Sentinel reportable events by reporting facility; Sentinel reportable events, active duty soldiers; Ankle injuries, active duty service members, 1990 -1998; ARD surveillance update; Causes of injury and poisoning hospitalizations, U.S. Army, 1998.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

Joint Staff Memorandum for Deployment Health Surveillance and Readiness

Policy

Effective February 1, 1999, the uniform and stardardized health surveillance and readiness procedures described in this memorandum will be adhered to for all deployments.

DoD Instruction 6000.11, Patient Movement (PM)

Policy

Policies on Uniformity of Dental Classification System, Frequency of Periodic Dental Examinations, Active Duty Overseas Screening, and Dental Deployment Standards

Policy

MSMR Vol. 4 No. 8 – December 1998

Report
1/1/1998

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Completeness and timeliness of reporting; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, November 1998; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, November 1998; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine, Bosnia-Herzegovina; ARD surveillance update; Outbreak of parainfluenza type 1 respiratory illness, Fort Sill.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 4 No. 5 – July/August 1998

Report
1/1/1998

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Late presentations of vivax malaria of Korean origin; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, July 1998; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, July 1998; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; ARD surveillance update; Hyposmolality related to excessive water consumption; Trends in hospitalizations due to mental disorders; Supplement #1: Update: HIV-1 testing in the Army; HIV-1 testing, Active duty , 1988-1998; HIV-1 testing, Reserve , 1988-1998; HIV-1 testing, National Guard, 1988-1998; HIV-1 testing, civilian applicants for service; HIV-1 tests, summary, U.S. Army, 1997; Supplement #2: Reportable diseases; All reportable conditions, 1998; Sentinel reportable diseases, 1998 (vs. 1997); Sentinel reportable STD's, 1998 (vs. 1997); Active duty force strength (March 1998).

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 4 No. 2 – February/March 1998

Report
1/1/1998

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Back pain hospitalizations among active duty soldiers, Part 1; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, January 1998; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, January 1998; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Leprosy in an active duty soldier; Influenza outbreak, U.S. Navy, Hawaii; ARD surveillance update; Transfusion-transmitted P. falciparum malaria.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 4 No. 3 – April 1998

Report
1/1/1998

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Hospitalizations and noneffective days, 1997; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, March 1998; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, March 1998; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Leptospirosis, Tripler Army Medical Center; ARD surveillance update; Varicella outbreak at Fort Knox; Supplement #1: Hospitalization Summary, 1997; Active duty hospitalizations; Active duty hospitalization rates; Total active duty hospital sick days; Noneffective rates, active duty hospitalizations; Supplement #2: Reportable Diseases Summary, 1997; All reportable conditions, 1997; Sentinel reportable diseases, 1997 (vs. 1996); Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 1997; Sentinel reportable STDs, 1997 (vs. 1996); Force strength (December 1997).

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 4 No. 6 – September 1998

Report
1/1/1998

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Morbility surveillance, field training exercise, Thailand; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, August 1998; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, August 1998; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Outbreak, rapidly-growing mycobacterial infection; ARD surveillance update; Foodborne outbreak, Salmonella gastroenteritis.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health

MSMR Vol. 4 No. 1 – January 1998

Report
1/1/1998

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Fevers of unknown origin among active duty soldier; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, December 1997; Selected sentinel reportable diseases, 2 year trends; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, December 1997; Reportable sexually transmitted diseases, 2 year trends; Visceral leishmaniasis, Sigonella, Italy; ARD surveillance update; Supplement: Notifiable conditions Jan - Dec 1997; Notifiable conditions reported through MSS; Sentinel reportable diseases, 1997(vs 1996); Sentinel reportable STDs 1997(vs 1996); Heat / cold injuries; Notifiable sexually transmitted diseases; Force strength (September 1997).

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health
<< < ... 46 47 48 49 > >> 
Showing results 676 - 690 Page 46 of 49
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 28, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery