Ballistic eye protection imperative to preventing injuries Published March 3, 2009 By 52nd Medical Group SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Sight is the most important sense and weapon that a warrior has both defensively and offensively. A significant percentage of casualties incurred during combat operations involve eye injuries. Eye injuries from military operations from 1995 through December 2001 were approximately 20 per year and increased tenfold to about 200 eye injuries per year from January 2002 through December 2007. The most common cause of injury is shrapnel from improvised explosive devices, which causes 51 percent of all injuries. Most of these eye injuries can be prevented with proper use of ballistic protective eyewear. Eligibility for ballistic protective eyewear is determined by the Airmen's Unit Deployment Manager. The UDM makes the determination if the member's job, or deployed locality, places them at risk for eye injuries. Airmen deploying to or operating in a combat zone such as Afghanistan or Iraq will receive ballistic eyewear from their UDM. The Authorized Protective Eyewear List specifies which products have been tested and verified to meet military ballistic standards and are operationally suitable. The most current APEL and updates to the list are posted on the Program Executive Office Soldier Web site at Peosoldier.army.mil. Airmen who do not require prescription eyewear may be issued any product listed on the APEL. Personnel who do need corrective lenses may be issued only those products listed that accommodate a military optical insert. The optical insert contains the member's prescription for vision correction and is placed into the protective eyewear. The ballistic protective eyewear is issued by the member's unit and optical inserts are ordered by the optometry clinic. Only Airmen who will be operating in a combat zone and deploying within 45 days will be issued ballistic protective eyewear and optical inserts. APEL items may also be privately purchased at some military clothing sales stores. Approved eyewear will be identified with a green "APEL approved" sticker on the packaging. It is critical to ensure individuals have appropriate eye protection on and off duty for the job they are doing. Remember, "vision ready is mission ready." For more information, contact the optometry clinic at 452-8425.