JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Staying fit to fight is important for all service
members, and it has many parts to it, including one that may be overlooked, eye
health.
From the pilots and air crew, who fly and maintain the
fighter jets that soar the skies, to the defenders who operate weapons and
verify credentials at the gate, all Airmen need healthy vision to support the
U.S. Air Force’s missions.
At the Langley Air Force Base Optometry Clinic, a five-person
team helps maintain eye care for Joint Base Langley-Eustis Airmen.
“It is recommended to get an eye exam annually,” said
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jonghwan Kim, 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometry
NCO in charge. “Early detection is key to treating most eye diseases. For those
wearing glasses, update your prescription annually as part of your readiness.”
The team at the Optometry Clinic is dedicated to
making sure Airmen have 20/20 vision whether it be by corrective lenses,
contacts or eye surgery. According to Kim, any personnel ready to deploy should
take the proper measures to make sure they are able to see 100 percent clear in
the combat zone.
he team sees about 15 patients a day per optometrist.
If a patient isn’t able to see 20/20, they check to see if their eyesight can
be corrected to 20/20 with glasses.
During an eye exam, the technicians and optometrists check
general ocular health, field of vision and color vision.
“We do everything we can to make sure the patient gets
the best possible service that we can give,” said Charlie Felix, 633rd AMDS Red
Cross volunteer. “We’ll take the extra step to make sure their eye health is in
great condition and they’re happy.”
Every active duty Airman is entitled to one eye exam a
year and issued two pairs of glasses with their prescription. While preparing
to deploy, Airmen are also issued gas mask inserts and ballistic eyewear
inserts.
Should a pair of glasses not fit properly, adjustments
and orders, with a current prescription, are made on a walk-in basis. If
military issued glasses break, Airmen are also reissued a new pair.
In addition to taking advantage of these offered
services, the Optometry Clinic recommends members take the following
precautions to care for their eyes:
- While outside, wear sunglasses with UV protection.
- Be sure to get an eye exam annually.
- Wear your prescribed pair of glasses. If it’s a new
prescription, wear them two hours daily for two weeks to let your eyes adjust.
- If your eyes aren’t adjusting to a new prescription,
be sure to make another appointment with the clinic to fix it.
For more information on eye health contact the Langley
Optometry Clinic at 764-6973.