Soldiers whose eyes are injured during combat have a more robust chance of returning to duty with their vision intact because of some revisions within the Army’s first-aid kit.
The rigid eye shield was added as an element to the Army’s “Individual First-Aid Kit II,” which was distributed to the primary Army units within the fall of 2013.
When properly worn, the shields can protect a service member’s eye from further damage after an initial eye injury is continued during combat operations.
“We’ve learned so much about eye injuries within the field during the last decade,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Autrey, program manager of the Tri-Service Vision Conservation and Readiness Program on the U.S. Army Public Health Command. “We know more concerning the common causes, prevention measures and effective techniques for treatment.”
In the past, service members could have treated eye injuries by wrapping the top with a bandage and applying pressure to the wounded eye.
But this technique of preserving the attention seriously is not optimal eye care, per Autrey.
“A person’s eye can become further damaged if an excessive amount of pressure is applied,” he said.
That’s why Army first-aid kits are actually including the attention shields.
“If a service member’s eye is injured during combat, the rigid eye shield needs to be placed over the injured eye and secured with tape,” said Cmdr. Kevin McGowan, Navy program manager inside the TSCVRP who assists Autrey with surveillance of eye injuries to military members.
“This action will make sure that no other foreign debris comes into contact with the attention, and could preserve the attention until a health worker may give it further attention.”
According to data from the Militia Health Surveillance Center, in the course of the years 2001 to 2010, between five and 22 percent of all Department of Defense injuries were end result of the ocular trauma.
“It’s a worthy investment so as to add the attention shields to first-aid kits,” said Autrey.
The USAPHC’s TSVCRP incorporated instructions on how one can use the recent eye shield in its recent two-day Vision Conservation and Readiness Course.
Autrey said the recent eye shields are meant as a supplement to current Military Combat Eye Protection, not instead for correct eye protection.
“Research still shows that the majority eye injuries may also be prevented by wearing eye protection from the Authorized Protective Eyewear List,” said Autrey.
Autrey said that it’s been rewarding to collaborate with the DOD on getting the word out concerning the new eye shields being incorporated into Army first-aid kits. He knows that that the shields would be of extreme importance to troops who’re deployed downrange.
“Of all of the body’s senses, most of the people value their sense of sight essentially the most,” said Autrey. “That’s why we’re not just trying to find innovative how you can preserve life and limb, but specifically, eyesight.”
The eye shields could be part of all DOD joint-service first-aid kits by the autumn of 2014.
Related Topic Tags