Warfighter Eye Care
OPTOMETRY DETACHMENTS BRING CARE TO THE WARFIGHTER.
Task Force 261 Multifunctional Medical Battalion (MMB), from Fort Bragg, N.C., spearheaded the implementation of a theaterwide optometry support model on October 20, 2007. This was initiated by a new directive allowing their four optometry detachments to provide enhanced, adaptable optometric care to coalition forces in Iraq, with support to outlying areas scheduled to begin through the end of the year.
The optometry detachment is a small unit comprised of two optometry teams that are designed to bring care to the warfighter by eliminating the need for potentially dangerous travel and reducing the impact on units. Each team consists of an optometrist, an optometry technician, and an optician who fabricates various types of eyewear.
Since today’s warfighters operate in demanding environments where time away from their units could negatively impact the mission, units can now have their battalion aid station, or equivalent, request optometry support through TF 261 MMB’s force health protection cell.
TF 261 MMB’s eight optometry teams are assigned regional coverage areas throughout Iraq, covering forward operating bases from Harbur Gate to Tallil and Al Asad to Baghdad. Each team has the ability to travel from FOB to FOB, bringing optometric care to the warfighter.
At every location, the optometry teams offer the same quality of eye care a soldier, sailor, Marine or airman would expect from any eye clinic operating in the U.S.
The services each team offers include routine eye exams, post-corrective eye surgery exams, physicals for health exams and military school packets and fabrication of glasses and protective inserts, with most lenses fabricated within 24 hours.
The corpsmen of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine division, based at FOB Habbaniyah, required optometry support for their Marines, who needed glasses and inserts for their ballistic eye protection, and were recently able to take advantage of this improved customer-focused care. A simple e-mail brought one optometry team, led by Captain (Dr.) Joshua Baker from Al Asad to Habbaniyah, that provided care for 37 Marines in only two days.
Navy Lieutenant (Dr.) Bejoy Thomas, 1/1 Marine surgeon, was very happy with the improved service the optometry team provided.
“To move more than 30 Marines to a different FOB and coordinate their return would have been very resource intensive. Not to mention, it would have had a large impact on the unit’s capabilities. We are very appreciative of Captain Baker’s support to our Marines,” said Thomas.
Captain (Dr.) Christopher Kelly’s team, based at LSA Diamondback, recently completed a mission to FOB QWest, providing care to and manufacturing lenses for more than 200 soldiers of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade.
Captain Michael Campbell, a field surgeon with the 3rd SB, expressed gratitude for the service, “It makes a tremendous impact on the soldiers conducting combat logistics patrols and their leadership. We know they have the ballistic eye protection they need, and have the prescription lenses that allow them to see threats on the road. Having the optometry team visit our FOB is tremendously valuable.”
TF 261 MMB’s model for optometry support represents the first time that all optometric capability for coalition forces is centrally commanded by one headquarters in Iraq. Central management of the four detachments and their eight teams is a model of flexibility, modularity and high mobility for future support.
TF 261 MMB’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel (Dr.) Frank Christopher, expressed his pride in bringing this improved support to Iraq.
“Our task force is dedicated to operating a health care system, including optometric care, which brings necessary capabilities to the warfighter, where and when they need it,” said Christopher. “As a customer service organization, we must be responsive to the needs of our supported units across Iraq and having several mobile, professional teams under centralized control gives us the flexibility to deliver optometric care when it is most convenient for the customer.” ♦