Eyes wide open

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Solomon Cook
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Airmen may recall the repeated phrase, "Perception is reality," from Military Training Instructors at Basic Military Training. Taking from this saying, if what is perceived is fuzzy, then it may hold true to an Airman's reality, hence the need for regular eye exams.

"Optometry does many things," said Capt. Todd Christensen, 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometry flight commander. "At the very base level, we do eye exams. We are also known for spectacle and contact fittings."

Whether enlisted, commissioned or a dependent, the 325th AMDS optometry office will serve those that come in.

"A lot of people have good vision but don't understand the importance of regular eye exams," Christensen said. "Just because they have good vision doesn't mean there couldn't be other complications. Additionally, Airmen should know just because they wear glasses, doesn't mean their eyes are unhealthy; some people wear glasses and have the healthiest eyes I've seen."

The health of an Airmen's eyes is not something to be taken lightly, especially for Air Force pilots.

"A big part of how we assist the mission is testing pilots for stereo vision," said Christensen. "Here we test almost everyone with the same tests, but pilots' vision is held to a higher standard. The tests are very meticulous; if pilots have a reduction in their stereo or they cannot see 20-20 they can be disqualified from flying. The point is not to disqualify people, but find out the problems and correct them."

Additionally, optometry assists Airmen looking into corrective eye surgery.

"If Airmen wish to go through the refractive surgery program, they come to us to see if they meet the standard," Christensen said. "Every active duty member is potentially a candidate. Each patient must be over 21-years-old and have the right type of cornea and eye health. There are two types of surgeries Airmen may choose from, Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK, and Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis, or LASIK eye surgery, both of which are approved for flyers."

After a patient meets the prerequisites for being qualified for surgery, members in optometry work with Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., where the surgery is performed, Christensen added.

Weather visiting the office for a simple eye exam or looking for a more in depth procedure, the optometry office staff aims to please.

"I went for an eye exam recently; optometry checked my eye pressure, gave me my prescription and issued me glasses," said Airman 1st Class Tyler Schaeffer, 325th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist. "I received three pairs: a backup pair, wire frame pair and gas mask inserts. The process was painless, everyone was very professional and the whole thing only took thirty minutes."