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thedrifter
02-20-09, 07:03 AM
Optometry: A Deeper Look Into Predeployment

2/19/2009 By Cpl. Lisa R. Strickland , Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. —

1st Lt. Abraham Sipe has near-perfect vision, but that didn’t stop him from taking care of his annual optometry visit, Feb 9.

“Do you have any pain or discomfort in your eyes?” asked Navy Lt. Joseph Osmond, an optometrist at the Naval Health Clinic here, as he assessed the Marine. Osmond, a Sandy, Utah, native said eye discomfort isn’t the only reason a Marine should have his eyes checked.

Getting an eye examination is a yearly requirement for Marines and a required check for predeployment.

“Optical readiness is obviously an important part of the bigger picture of readiness,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Leah Soley, the department head of deployment health at the Naval Health Clinic. “We’re here to help them accomplish that, so they’re prepared to go on their deployment.”

Soley said optical readiness for deployment isn’t only having an eye examination. It also includes getting prescribed gas mask inserts and an extra pair of prescription eyewear.

“They won’t have access to those things while they’re overseas, so it’s really important they get those accomplished before they leave,” added Soley.

As part of his examination, the optometrist dilated Sipe’s eyes to get a better look through a phoropter. A phoropter is a special instrument used by optometrist to determine if a patient needs a prescription. Osmond examined Sipe’s eyes using a specialized ophthalmic instrument to get a wider view of his eye.

“I can get a much more peripheral shot of the rest of your eye,” said Osmond as he put on the headset. “I’m going to make sure that the retina is flat and attached all the way around the back of the eye.”

Soley said the biggest problem at the optometry clinic here isn’t health related – it is patients scheduling appointments and not showing. Soley said unfortunately Cherry Point ranks as one of the worst installations in Navy medicine for optometry no shows.

“Any time people are not showing up for their appointments, it’s affecting our ability to get in other patients. It’s just pushing back their wait times for longer and longer,” said Soley. “It becomes an issue when somebody needs an immediate appointment to prepare to deploy.”

Soley said Marines preparing to deploy shouldn’t procrastinate. The clinic needs at least 2 to 4 weeks to order gas mask inserts and extra prescription eyewear.

For more information on predeployment optometry, contact your local optometry clinic.

Ellie