Service members will benefit from improved tracking, diagnosis and treatment

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Academy of Ophthalmology is pleased that the Military Eye Trauma measure, which will improve the Department of Defense’s (DoD) and the Veterans Health Administrations’ ability to treat those serving on active duty who have suffered serious eye injuries, has been signed into law.  The legislation, passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, will establish a Center of Excellence within the DoD to improve the tracking, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for service members who have incurred eye injuries while serving on active duty.

President Bush signed the measure on January 28. An earlier version of the National Defense Authorization Act was passed in December by Congress, but was vetoed by President Bush for reasons unrelated to the Military Eye Trauma measure. The American Academy of Ophthalmology joined the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) and other veteran’s service organizations in support of the legislation.

“This measure will help active duty members and veterans, along with those who suffer from visual problems related to traumatic brain injury,” said Michael X. Repka, MD, the Academy’s secretary for federal affairs. “The establishment of a registry and increased collaboration between the DoD and VA will make a significant difference in the lives of military personnel injured in the line of duty. We look forward to the full implementation of this measure.”

The legislation would require ophthalmologists in the DoD to report surgeries or other procedures to the registry within 30 days. Information relating to additional treatments, surgical procedures, and eventual visual outcomes would be accessible by the DoD ophthalmologist who initially treated the patient as well as any future ophthalmologist in the VA.  In addition to eye injuries, the registry will also cover blast injuries with visual symptoms. The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., is a potential location for the Center of Excellence, which will act as a central resource. The measure passed by Congress does not currently provide for funding for the Center or registry.

Between October 2001 and June 2006, more than 1,000 service-members with combat related eye trauma were evacuated from overseas military operations, making serious ocular injuries one of the most common types of injury experienced by service members serving in the Middle East.  Many combat eye injuries require multiple surgical procedures and treatments at several facilities.  In addition, a significant number of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are also experiencing vision impairment caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI); some 54 percent of soldiers treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who have traumatic brain injuries are reporting vision problems.  As many as 16 percent of all soldiers returning from Iraq are experiencing significant vision dysfunction problems.

U.S. veterans seeking information on eye care and where to get it are encouraged to visit the Academy-sponsored Web site www.VeteransEyeCare.com.

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