07/10/2025
"Perfect vision is the first line of defense in combat situations." to our Educate to Empower Patient Care Summit, where our team gathered with our partner practices to explore best practices and the history of vision correction. To share more on the essential nature of vision correction in the military, our own Dr. Matthew Hammond presented on his experience as an ophthalmologist and surgeon in the service – in his military uniform!
Vision correction surgery is not merely a convenience in the military—it is a critical component of operational readiness and safety. The Department of Defense's Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program (WRESP), established in 2000, underscores this priority by providing procedures like LASIK and PRK to active-duty service members. These surgeries aim to eliminate dependence on glasses or contact lenses, which can be liabilities in combat situations due to risks of dislodgement, fogging, or loss. By enhancing unaided vision, refractive surgery contributes significantly to mission effectiveness and personal safety in challenging environments.
