Joint Publication 4-02 Joint Health Services
is the overarching military health doctrinal guidance and includes Vision Readiness as a Force Health Protection function. From Chapter III, Section 8. Vision Readiness:
- a. Vision readiness encompasses the Service member having optimal visual clarity to most effectively and efficiently complete their assignments, as well as the optical devices needed for vision correction (if required) and for eye protection of all Service members during hazardous activities, including deployment. Joint Trauma System guidelines for traumatic eye injury should be followed to ensure the appropriate care is rendered in the event of an ocular casualty.
- b. Vision services include preventive eye care to reduce or eliminate conditions that may decrease personnel readiness in performing their mission [or] members being removed from their duty unit for treatment. [...] also ensure the Service member has eye protection [...and] all needed devices to protect their eyes to ensure they complete the mission and do not pose a logistical burden to their unit.
- c. The standards for vision readiness are Service-specific [...]
DoDD 6200.04 Force Health Protection (FHP)
- 4.3.1.3. Provide routine, annual, pre- and post-deployment health assessments and wellness interventions to all military personnel [...]
- 4.3.2.4. Ensure appropriate utilization of effective personal protective equipment and measures to help mitigate specific health and safety hazards.
DoDI 6025.19 Individual Medical Readiness (IMR)
- "Individual Medical Equipment” will be monitored as appropriate for personnel subject to deployment. The core requirement is one pair of gas mask inserts (GMI) for all deployable assets needing visual correction (Pass). Fail is no GMI. Service-specific policies may identify additional items of medical equipment such as two pair of prescription spectacles, hearing aid batteries, etc., but they are not part of the DoD core-reporting element.
- Not having GMI would make the member "Partially Medically Ready" and they are considered to be part of the Total Force Medically Ready metric.
- Inability to determine current health status "Medical Readiness Indeterminate."
DoDI 6490.07 Deployment-Limiting Medical Conditions for Service Members and DoD Civilian Employees
- (2) Vision Loss. Best corrected visual acuity must meet job requirements to perform duties safely.
Defense Health Agency Procedural Instruction DHA-PI 6200.06 Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) Program Note: Links to the DHA Publications Digital Library page - scroll down to the actual document to open.
- Purpose is to monitor health of the force, identify duty-limiting and deployment-limiting conditions to provide preventive health screening and education, and determine if further screening or evaluation is indicated. Requires that Deployment-Related Health Assessments be identified if the Service Member is within the time frame for completion.
- Annual PHA will consist of:
- Self assessment by the Service Member
- Medical record review by a health care provider
- Must complete form DD FORM 3024 Annual Periodic Health Assessment which among other questions asks if Service Member -
- has had a change in vision that impacts their duty performance
- has had a change in their vision that resulted in them being on any profile or limited duty
- wears corrective lenses, how many pairs of glasses they have and whether or not they have gas mask inserts
- is current with Service-specific requirements for glasses and gas mask inserts
