Wright-Patterson Medical Center Laser Surgery Center: Giving clear vision to the warfighter

  • Published
  • By Mike Frangipane
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Wright-Patterson AFB, OHIO --  Late in 2000 JoAnn Stewart, retired Air Force Ophthalmology technician, received a phone call. At the other end was the familiar voice of Dr. (Col.) Leo Hurley, Doctor of Optometry at Wright-Patterson Medical Center. They had served together some 20 years before on Hurley's first assignment and again more recently on Mrs. Stewart's last assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base before retirement. 

Dr. Hurley explained, the Department of Defense had issued a directive establishing warfighter laser surgery centers, and he had been charged to stand up a center at Wright-Patterson Medical Center. He needed help and the first call he made was to Mrs. Stewart. 

"I said, 'Jo can you do it.' She had all this expertise. She knew how to put contracts together, she knew how to buy supplies, all the stuff I didn't know," Dr. Hurley said. She was the first person he turned to for help and she said "yes." 

With Mrs. Stewart contributing the administrative expertise, Dr. Hurley the professional medical skills, and armed with a $2.2 million budget, they embarked upon what both now describe as an amazing experience. The face of the floor space allotted to the new laser center was completely transformed. Everything had to be torn out and replaced. They had to buy all the equipment, hire the people and all of the administrative procedures, down to application forms, had to be designed. "It was like building a practice," said Dr. Hurley. In the process they put together a well-oiled, professional laser surgery center with a dedicated and skilled staff, many of whom are still with the center. 

The staff they assembled is committed to delivering the highest quality of care to the warfighter. Dr. Hurley, now chief of Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery, describes their task in terms of increasing the readiness of the force. He pointed to a picture on the wall of the center of several young troops sitting on a bench. Each is armed with a weapon, but one of the troops near the center of the frame stands out from the rest. He alone among his comrades is wearing traditional military issue eyeglasses. 

Pointing to that troop, Dr. Hurley explains, "That fellow is what we are all about. If we can take him out of his glasses and his dependence upon them ... and we are very good at that ... we can make him more effective. The possibility of his losing or breaking his glasses in an extreme situation will no longer be an issue impacting the readiness of this warfighter." 

"We are using cutting edge technologies to give the warfighter the best opportunities available," Dr. Hurley's colleague, Dr. (Maj.) Patrick Kelly, Ophthalmology/Refractive Surgery, said. 

The Wright-Patterson center, one of five Air Force wide, opened its doors in 2001 and has served more than 9,000 active duty patients freeing them from dependence upon glasses or contact lenses. Patients include all of the U.S. military services. Approximately 80 percent of the center's patients are from out of town. "People fly in from all over the country," Dr. Hurley said. Accommodations for those are provided on base at the Fisher House, within walking distance of the medical center. 

The center initially offered Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) alone. It now offers Laser-Assisted In Situ (in its place) Keratomileusis (LASIK) and Epi-LASIK as well. 

Laser surgery corrects myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (distortion of the image on the retina). A screening process will determine whether a patient is a candidate for surgery and which procedure, PRK or LASIK, best suits them. The entire process begins with a patient assessment and referral to the center by a DoD optometrist or ophthalmologist. Screening also includes signed approval by the individual's commander, supervisor and mobility officer. Aviators, navigators and special duty personnel have the additional requirement of submitting their application to Brooks AFB, Texas, for approval. 

"When you think of it, next to living, we all value our sight. If we can make someone see better, which we do all the time, you make a lot of friends." Dr. Hurley said. "That is why this is a very rewarding job." 

For more information contact the optometry clinic at 722-1869.