Protective eyewear program helps Airman keep sight of mission Published June 28, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Greg Biondo 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Air Force's Ballistic Protective Eyewear Program has one goal in mind - to protect the eyes of deploying Airmen. The program was started May 1, 2006 for Airmen deploying to certain parts of southwest Asia. An Airman's unit deployment manager will determine whether their job places them at risk for eye injuries while they are deployed. "A significant percentage of casualties incurred during combat operations involve eye injuries," said Maj. Gary Poland 4th Aeromedical Dental Squadron optometry flight commander. "Most of these injuries can be prevented with proper ballistic protective eyewear devices." Ballistic protective eyewear is available on the Air Force Protective Eyewear List, has passed military ballistic testing and has been evaluated for operational suitability. All eyewear on the APEL is available for Airmen who do not wear prescription glasses. For those that do, any product from the APEL that can house an optical insert can be ordered by an Airman's UDM. "The member's unit purchases the protective eyewear from the APEL and the optometry clinic orders the optical insert from one of the military optical fabrication labs," Major Poland said. "It is very important that when the member comes to the optometry clinic, they know exactly what type of protective eyewear they have been issued." Optical inserts are only available to Airmen who are deploying within 45 days and only one optical insert may be ordered per year.