Ophthalmology Supports Legislation Aimed At Improving Eye Care For U.S. Troops

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 02 Oct 2007 - 13:00 PDT

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The American Academy of Ophthalmology has joined the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) and other veteran's service organizations in support of legislation that would establish a Center of Excellence within the Department of Defense (DoD) to improve the tracking, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for service members who have incurred eye injuries while serving on active duty. The "Military Eye Trauma Treatment Act of 2007," (H.R. 3558) introduced in the House today by Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., would also create a formal registry that would house electronic records and enable the DoD and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to share patient information. The Academy worked closely with the BVA, ophthalmology leaders in the DoD and VA, and members of Congress to draft this important legislation.

This 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. The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., is a potential location for the Center.

Between October 2001 and June 2006, more than 1,000 service members with combat eye trauma were evacuated from military operations overseas; with no official mechanism to document or track these injuries, resulting in transition problems. This legislation would provide a record of eye injuries and streamline services by alleviating administrative errors such as record transfer duplications and effectively identifying eye injuries during the crucial period when soldiers under treatment are in transition from the DoD to the VA.

"The Academy's efforts as this legislation was drafted once again demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our soldiers and our veterans are provided with excellent eye care and resources" said Michael X. Repka, MD, the Academy's federal affairs secretary. "This legislation will create an invaluable resource for ophthalmologists working in the armed forces and those that will ultimately treat these patients in the VA."

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

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the voice for ophthalmologists and their patients in Washington D.C., and is the world's largest organization of eye physicians and surgeons, with more than 27,000 members.

http://www.aao.org