title: [Ocular findings in Polish Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, a review of medical examinations by The Military Medical Commission in Łodz].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of ocular disorders among Polish soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan military campaigns.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of medical records of the Military Medical Commission of Lodz, Poland was performed. Records of 296 randomly selected soldiers, including 98 who returned from Iraq in 2004 and in 198 who returned from Afghanistan in 2012, were assessed. All subjects underwent comprehensive ocular examinations according to the military regulations. We used statistical analysis to review the results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of ocular disorders in Iraq and Afghanistan groups was 17.3% and 15.1%, respectively. The study revealed that the most common disorders among soldiers were refractive errors affecting 6.8% subjects, followed by defective color vision (4.7%) and solar retinopathy (3.0%). Combat injuries were diagnosed in 3 subjects, including 2 cases of corneal injury and 1 case of retinal detachment due to blast exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combat injuries occurred in 1% of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan military campaigns. There were no statistically significant differences between Iraq and Afghanistan groups in the incidence of ocular disorders. Solar retinopathy was the most common problem related to the long-term exposure to rough climate conditions in both groups. ocular findings, Iraq, Afghanistan.
authors.forename: Mirosław
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pastuszka
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goś
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jurowski
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chrzaszcz
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smigielski
authors.forename: Michał S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult