title: Optical correction and quality of vision of the French soldiers stationed in the Republic of Djibouti in 2009.
abstract: To ensure vision readiness on the battlefield, the French military has been providing its soldiers with eyewear since World War I. A military refractive surgery program was initiated in 2008. A prospective questionnaire-based investigation on optical correction and quality of vision among active duty members with visual deficiencies stationed in Djibouti, Africa, was conducted in 2009. It revealed that 59.3% of the soldiers were wearing spectacles, 21.2% were wearing contact lenses--despite official recommendations--and 8.5% had undergone refractive surgery. Satisfaction rates were high with refractive surgery and contact lenses; 33.6% of eyeglass wearers were planning to have surgery. Eye dryness and night vision disturbances were the most reported symptoms following surgery. Military optical devices were under-prescribed before deployment. This suggests that additional and more effective studies on the use of military optical devices should be performed and policy supporting refractive surgery in military populations should be strengthened.
authors: Ophthalmology Department, Military Medico-Surgical Hospital Bouffard, SP 85024, 00812 Armées, France.
authors: Rodolphe
authors: R
authors: Vignal
authors: Lénaïck
authors: L
authors: Ollivier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003261:Contact Lenses; D015730:Djibouti; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000628:therapy; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014785:Vision, Ocular