Sorry for raising a really unglamourous issue about SAF.

But please hear me out on this issue because it really pains me to see our troops with really sophisticated weaponry (not the old beat up M16's in this pic) and then wearing really awful amateurish-looking spectacles.

Looks aside, these specs look like they are too fragile for real combat.

...

We have a high myopia rate, according to this report from SG MOH:

"firstly, the prevalence of myopia in Singapore is one of the highest in the world. It is a problem that affects all ages. 15% of our preschoolers, 33% of our primary one students and more than 70% of our youths who are completing their university education are myopic. Secondly, a large proportion of Singaporeans have high myopia - about 10% of Singapore adults compared to less than 2% in most Western populations. Thirdly, both the prevalence and severity of myopia have increased significantly over the past two decades. Nearly 40% of our adults aged 40 and older, are myopic. But now, the incidence is much higher with each new cohort and generation."

And the future is not bright:


"The prevalence of myopia was 28% in 7 year olds, 32% in 8 year olds, and 43% in 9 year olds, and the 3-year cumulative incidence rate was 42%."

(Both quotes offer different figures - one about adults now, the other about a group of kids they had been tracking for over 10 years - but you get the idea. If by 9 years old, the incidence rate is 42%, can you imagine when they turn 18?)

So, we know MOH is concerned: A lot of Singaporeans are myopic. A lot more of the future generations will continue to be myopic. Close to half if not more.

But what about SAF? Are they concerned? If so, what concrete actions have they taken? During my time they would pay a certain amount of money if you went and made yourself a new pair of glasses. But they don't give you any real advise what those glasses should be.

They must "wake up" to the fact that in the near future, more than half of SAF manpower will need corrective eye glasses. And a soldier whose specs are damaged in combat becomes a liability, not an asset.

How many people serve their entire military cycle wearing a pair of less than unsuitable glasses?


Shouldn't SAF put some R&D dollars into eyewear research?

Shouldn't SAF then issue these combat-suitable eyewear to recruits from DAY ONE?

In the interim, should SAF advise incoming recruits about what type of eye glasses they should wear?

Those of you still serving or about to serve, please help highlight this issue to your commanders. (I've already finished all my military obligations and living overseas.) If like me you have finished your military obligations, think for the next generations.

But while waiting for SAF, can anyone here post suggestions of what eyewear designs are already available that might be suitable for combat troops? I remember seeing some NBA players with some kind of eyewear that look like they might be suitable.

...

At the same time, can anyone post any studies of spectacles in combat?

How appropriate - an ad for a eye specialist centre is below :P

Solution.....maybe, just maybe provide mass Refractive surgery(eg Lasik) for all enlisting for NS bound servicemen.

Comments ?

Unfortunately, LASIK has a chance of damaging your eyesight.

base on my personal experience, application R&D into the following:

1. light weight shape-memory metal for spectacle frame
2. water and fog repelling glass surfacing
3. scratch/crack resistant glass
4. reflection avoidance of glass surface

What I do not have a solution for: how to use a bino with eyewear.

Issue goggles to all servicemen, with provision for inserting corrective lenses. Offer a rebate for servicemen to make a pair of suitable lenses tailored for their eyesight. (see link below)

http://www.gentexcorp.com/default.aspx?pageid=943

A entrepreneur could get rich on this, until gahmen sets up ST Optical to fight for market share (and signs an exclusive deal with SAF) whereby said entrepreneur will have to declare bankruptcy. :lol:

however it is impractical to even switch between glasses, as your eyes need to adjust to each lens. Even when they have the same power, the corrective performance is different due to the way the lenses are held from the eyes, alignment with the optical axis etc.

you know when you change to a spare glass, even one with the same power, it takes a day or so for everything to appear normal again, eg bulging floors.

also, you can't be wearing goggles all the time you are in the field right?

the entrepreneur takes the rep rights and sells it through STEngr ;)

I'm now post-LASIK.

My constant nightmare when I wore glasses was losing my glasses or having them damaged in the field. This would render me completely useless.


Here are some points I wish to add:

- ability to withstand abuse
so they do not shatter, crack or scratch easily

- does not fall off easily
this means the traditional hook to ear, rest on nose bridge frame design may have to be completely re-looked at. Sometimes the force of a blast, or some other contact which may not be strong enough to injure/kill a soldier but can easily blow off items not properly secured.

- comfortable and malleable enough to be worn during sleep
lots of soldiers remove their glasses during sleep. Bad idea in times of war.

- can be used with goggles

- doesn't fog up

- can deal with water droplets
otherwise we'd not be able to aim during rain etc.

chino, didn't you use the ultra-sophisticated eyewear restraint system?

velcro with a rubber loop that secures to your ear hook. adjustable, light weight, and damage resistant :D

We have to cut back on the numbers of F35 and the stealth frigates for the navy if this goes through.

maybe not ;) just switch the Reebok PT shoes back to those black canvas ah gong shoes affair will probably generate enough savings :lol:

Battlefield Vision: Eyeglasses for the Soldier
by Captain Joy A. Schmalzle

Have you ever wondered how a Soldier gets a new pair of eyeglasses if his become scratched, broken, or lost during a deployment? Well, wonder no more! Soldiers can order glasses in theater and, on some occasions, have them fabricated within 24 hours.

In Iraq, the optical fabrication mission is to maintain the optical readiness of all supported units by providing efficient and timely optical fabrication services, assisting commanders in ordering and procuring all required spectacle devices (including ballistic eyewear), and sustaining vision readiness and unit mission capability.

The optical fabrication mission started in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 1 with the deployment of the 172d Medical Logistics Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Ogden, Utah, that filled roughly 1,700 orders. During OIF 2, the 226th Medical Logistics Battalion from Miseau, Germany, picked up the mission and produced nearly 5,000 orders in theater.

The 32d Medical Logistics Battalion, an Active Army unit under the 44th Medical Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, deployed in support of OIF 04–06 and filled a record 22,337 orders. The 226th Medical Logistics Battalion returned for OIF 05–07 as the 226th Multifunctional Medical Battalion (MMB) and continued the mission by producing 14,693 pairs of spectacles. The 32d Medical Logistics Battalion is now an MMB and is back for OIF 06–08 as part of Task Force 3 Medical Command, which provides the full spectrum of healthcare services to military personnel in Iraq.

Lens Prescriptions and Frames

To have a pair of glasses fabricated, a Soldier needs a copy of his spectacle prescription. A spectacle prescription that is dated within the past year is best, but, if a Soldier is in theater and he needs glasses critically, any personal prescription will suffice. The prescription should include the pupillary distance, which is the distance between the centers of the pupils of each eye. Having the correct pupillary distance ensures that the optical centers of the lenses will line up properly over the Soldier’s pupils. Glasses made without the individual’s correct pupillary distance may be less comfortable. When the spectacle prescription is small, Soldiers who wear a pair of glasses fabricated with an incorrect pupillary distance may or may not notice a difference; with larger prescriptions, glasses without the correct pupillary distance may cause eye strain. If glasses are very poorly aligned, they may induce discomfort, distortion, or headaches.

If a Soldier does not have an actual prescription handy, he has several options. He can go to 1 of the 12 optometrists who currently are deployed in theater to have a refraction done to determine his prescription. Or he may bring an old pair of spectacles to an optometry clinic or the fabrication lab to have the prescription read by a special optical device, the lensometer. If he has already ordered glasses while deployed, he may go back to that clinic and have that prescription looked up in the Spectacle Request Transmittal System. A fourth option is on its way: the Army is currently working on a system that will allow Soldiers to request their past military prescriptions on a website and order the needed eyewear with the click of a mouse. This initiative will eliminate the need for lengthy and time-consuming round-trip visits to the nearest optometry asset in theater just to obtain a spectacle prescription.

Once the Soldier has determined his prescription, he needs to select a frame. Within theater, the optical laboratories are limited to the following frames: the frame of choice (FOC) model number 350 LO (Land Operations) in black or silver, 801 LO in silver and copper, and flight goggle LO in black and silver. [The Army FOC program allows Soldiers to select a civilian-style frame for one of their two pairs of military-issue glasses.] These frames were selected specifically because they fit underneath the land operations goggles, thus allowing Soldiers with eyeglass prescriptions to wear combat eye protection (CEP). Also available are the standard MS9 and FS9 military and flight spectacles (otherwise known as birth control glasses, or BCGs, because of their high durability but nonexistent aesthetic value), the MCU2 or MAG1 (Ranger) glasses, the BLPS (ballistic/laser protective spectacles) M40 pro-mask insert, and a prescription lens carrier for the Uvex XC, ESS [Eye Safety Systems, Inc.] ICE [interchangeable component eyeshield] II, Revision Sawfly, or Body Specs pistol combat eye protection.

Combat Eye Protection

Lessons learned from recent conflicts have demonstrated that 10 percent of casualties can be expected to incur eye injuries and that 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable. In a war in which improvised explosive devices, mortars, sand, wind, and dust are encountered on a daily basis, it is imperative that a Soldier be outfitted with individual ballistic and ultraviolet A and B radiation eye protection.

Several protective eyewear systems are currently approved for Army use. Some of these systems can be worn only by individuals who do not require prescription lenses, while others can be worn by both prescription and non-prescription eyewear users.

For Soldiers who require a prescription, the Uvex XC, ESS ICE II, Revision Sawfly, and Body Specs Pistol eyewear are authorized options. For non-prescription wearers, the Wiley X SG–1 and PT–1 and the Oakley SI Military M frame are additional options. All Soldiers also are authorized to wear the ESS LO goggle, the ESS vehicle operations goggle, and the ESS low profile NVG goggle. The arena flakjak goggle is only for Soldiers who do not require optical correction.

All CEP must pass extraordinary tests that challenge the item’s ballistic protection, flame retardance, and other elements of safety. At this time, five CEP items accept an optical insert. The CEP items that hold an insert must pass additional safety tests to ensure that the insert is securely fastened within the CEP and does not create a hazard of its own. Combining a CEP item with an insert can also challenge the optics of the system. In poorly designed systems, Soldiers with higher prescriptions could find the optics distorted or uncomfortable.

Ordering

The ideal way to order spectacles from the lab is through the Spectacle Request Transmittal System (SRTS). This method is possible only if units are collocated with, or have access to, optometry assets within the theater. For units without access to SRTS, the optical fabrication lab has established an online account to receive orders electronically. Orders can be submitted in the form of a scanned prescription, a DD Form 771 (Eyewear Prescription), or an email containing the pertinent information.

The following items are the minimum information required to process an order—

* The patient’s name, rank, and Social Security number.
* The patient’s address, to include unit and Army post office (APO).
* A current spectacle prescription.
* The patient’s pupillary distance.
* The frame type and quantity.

Some information is not required, but it is helpful in ensuring that the Soldier receives properly fitted spectacles. This information can be found on a previous DD 771. If not supplied, the lab will substitute information as needed. This information includes—

* Frame model number.
* Frame eye and bridge size. [The bridge is the piece of eyewear that connects the lenses over the nose.]
* Frame color.
* Frame temple length and type. [Temples are the arms of eyewear, running from the lenses to the ears.]
* Segment height (for multifocal prescriptions only).

Fabrication

For prescriptions that are transmitted through SRTS, the optical lab prints out a DD 771 that lists all of the information needed to fabricate the spectacles. The technician looks at the prescription, makes sure it falls within the lab’s capabilities, edits the prescription, and pulls the lens blanks that will be used to fabricate the lenses and places them in a tray. The lenses then are taken to the lensometer, and the optical centers are dotted for proper placement of the “block.” The lenses then are “edged” and safety-beveled to prevent flaking and sharp edges.

If the lenses will be used as sunlenses, they are placed in a tint bath until they reach the desired darkness, then cleaned, placed into the frame, and inspected. The finished eyewear then is wrapped and packaged for shipping through the Military Postal Service (MPS).

The optical fabrication lab also is outfitted with an OptiCast System, which is used to fabricate bifocal lenses. A liquid monomer is injected between two molds and a specially designed gasket. The mold assembly then is placed in a light-curing chamber and allowed to harden overnight. The next day, the lenses are ready to be edged and inserted into the frame.

Turn-Around Time

The estimated time needed to complete an order depends on the lab’s workload, though most glasses are generally shipped within 48 hours of an order’s receipt. Emergency orders can be processed in as little as 1 hour for single-vision glasses and 24 hours for bifocals if the lenses are in stock. If the lenses are out of stock or out of the lab’s range of capability, the orders are forwarded to the labs at the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Europe in Pirmasens, Germany, or the Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity at Yorktown, Virginia. Turn-around time for orders sent to Germany or Virginia may vary from 2 to 6 weeks.

Once the glasses are made, they are packaged for shipment and dropped off at the post office and shipped via MPS. Orders are sent directly to the address provided by the unit, clinic, or individual Soldier. The class VIII (medical materiel) supply system is also used to deliver to locations with optical forward distribution teams.

Optical fabrication is an asset that is a force multiplier. It allows for quick, efficient delivery of eyewear that keeps our troops vision ready and, therefore, mission ready.
ALOG

Captain Joy A. Schmalzle, O.D., F.A.A.O., is the Chief of Optical Fabrication in the 32d Multifunctional Medical Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (currently stationed at Camp Anaconda in Iraq). She has a B.A. degree in psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a B.S. degree in basic science and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and was residency-trained at the State University of New York College of Optometry. She is a graduate of the Medical Department Captains Career Course.

Credits to:
http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/JulAu...tle_vision.html

Lasik maybe the only practical solution. I got five colleagues who went for Lasik, all still doing ok now.

Enjoy the video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PJ391MDtpo&feature=related

the SAF should record the eyesight correction data on the dog tags :)

I've mentioned this quite some time ago. But my suggestion is to adopt the ESS combat goggles (like the ones US troops are using in Iraq). Those ESS goggles are shatter proof and have saved the eyesight of troops involved in IED explosions in the faces.

The best part is that there is a lense attachment for those who need optical correction. The lense inserts are attached inside the goggles and are protected by the impact resistant external lenses.

http://www.esseyepro.com/features.html

Of course, this will incur costs. But at least our myopic soldiers will have "combat-adequate" eyewear.

Maybe something l ike these sports spectacles is a good place to start on the drawing board.

The lenses can be of the prescription type. The lenses should be some kind of perspex instead of glass.

Still, will they fog? You probably won't be able to wear goggles with these...

Mud, rain, fogging etc all makes glasses of any kind ineffective at the worst moments. Keeping them clean is a pain.

Gunsights, optics, binos, googles all become significantly less user friendly with glasses... sunglasses are quite out.

Armies with such a high percentage of short sighted soldiers needs better solutions than just another pair of glasses.

Lasik is the way to go, subsidise or make it free for combat units. Make it voluntary. Schedule it just after ORD and before the 1st ICT.. not hard to work out. If its safe enough for fighter pilots and astronauts, its good ehough.

As for cost... how much is the "life cyle cost" of a soldier? Why spends sooo much on NVDs etc when usage efficiency is so reduced?

Its like buying a fighter plane and refusing to upgrade a faulty radar.

ESS goggles are standard issue for most combat units these days.

Yes, Lasik is the way to go, subsidise or make it free for combat units.

For those National Servicemen on combat role, make it compulsory to perform this Lasik surgery or them.

Lasik maybe the only practical solution. ....so for the authorities monitoring this forum, do this nation a favour, please channel this feedback to the Ministry involved, Thanks!

It is really worthwhile to consider it.

frankly, even if the SAF would pay for it, it is a big leap to make it compulsory for NSF because of the potential risks. the law of large numbers will ensure sooner or later some mishap will occur, just like training accidents.

for combat regulars, certainly that can be introduced.

I concur, cost, legal and medical reasons for Lasik for the masses.

Majority of the troops serving are using spectacles and there is a need for new technology in the spectacle field for military use that has ballistic blast properties, anti fog and comfortable.

I've friends who are blind as a bat without their spectacles, loose their spectacles and they loose their ability to aim and shoot, basically the firing section can close shop.

Spectacle glare and fog with first shot also can close shop.

which is exactly what I understood the thread starter to mean, new R&D into improving spectacles or alternatives for everyday and combat use, beyond what is available today.

Exactly.

All the equipment, weaponry and years of training will be rendered completely wasted the minute a bespectacled soldier loses/damages his specs.

And with the rate of myopia increasing, we a re no longer talking about one or two guys in each platoon in the future.

No way to Lasik, and this is coming from a guy who has 900 degrees in each eye. Lasik like any other surgical procedures carries a risk. It can be 1% or 10%, with varying degrees of damage.

Losing sight is a major impairment that will severely affect one's ability to support himself or family in future. I don't think the government will want to be responsible for that. The safest and most effective option is still standard issuing systems such as ESS with prescribed lens attachment.

As a matter of principle, lasik cannot and must not be made compulsory, it MUST be voluntary, probably with some medical waiver signed. One must never set a precedent of forcing surgey on NSFs. It will backfire cos people who are dead set against NS will then say they dont want to serve cos they are against being forced into surgery, I'm sure the courts will agree on this point.

PM just say something about $9000 for NS man, there... cost no problem liao, can even do bulk discount with some lasik centre, win win for all, stimulate economy, help our local medical scene too.
I can guatantee that a lot of NSFs will prefer money for lasik than sitting in the CPF etc... 20something NS man arent big on CPF yet.

An added benefit is this will sweeten NS as many will come out from NS feeling they physically have gained something in return..... not saying that duty honor country is not important enough by themselves.

LASIK is not ideal.

Luckily I did mine after my Reservist cycle is complete. The problem is that though I can now see very well, there are still occasional days when my eyes are tired after working long hours and hard to focus sharply.

And being in the infantry there are lots of occasion for long hours of work.

I had been wanting to do lasik as well but is afraid of the permanence of the outcome.

Wah! if Lasik surgery is so risky, why they approve this sort of optical correction surgery here?


Secondly, got unconfirmed report that our pilots got Lasik, can anyone confirmed it?

according to an RSAF recruitment brochure from a few years back, they were willing to consider candidates for pilot training with <500 degrees of myopia.

ISTR that before i got flunked out of pilot selection, i signed a form stating my willingness to undergo LASIK should i reach an advanced stage of training (or when i get my wings or something).

my own myopia is 475 degrees but that is not the reason i flunked.

presumably all fully-trained RSAF pilots either have perfect eyesight or receive lasik to that end.

If you are under 30yrs old, the chance for a very good outcome and quick recovery is high.

I did mine after 40, and the complete recovery period was frightfully long. About a year.

In the interim I could still work but my eyes got tired quickly. And the doctor didn't do my right eye very well. It is sometimes blurry especially when I'm tired.

Only after 2 years did my eyesight stabilize.

The procedure was also scary.

It's a risk, you decide. Since I'm now OK, I'd have to say I'm glad I did it, and only wish I had done it 10 years earlier.

that's the problem, I am already almost 50!

Then it is a bit more risky dude.

But still, go to a reputable clinic and ask for advice - but consultation will cost you.

I did mine at Eagle Eye (Dr Eng, I think... Mt Alvernia) but since I am not completely happy with the results, I will not endorse it.

However, he did a friend of mine, about 5 yrs younger than me and she was very pleased with the result. So in the end, it really varies depending on the patient.

All surgery, be it lasik, heart, or whatever has an inherent risk. There is always a chance of unexpected complications, mishaps etc. A friend of mine kind of "blinked" during his lasik and was lucky to escape with just correctable blurry vision.

Point is, if surgery is done in order to save a person's life, or to prevent some form of permanent disability or worsening of a condition, its worth taking that chance. But to correct one's eyesight when various optical aids are available, I find that to be taking unnecessary risk.

RSAF pilots are an entirely different story. Firstly, that is going to be their job and hence lasik correction actually augment their ability to fly the aircraft and visually acquire other aircraft. Secondly, they are probably going to be covered by some kind of insurance in case the surgery is botched.

Again, the emphasis is that its not just a chance that something will go wrong, its also that the damage can have varying degrees. Hence, imo, making it voluntary is fine, but it may not be the best or cost effective solution.

Finally some parting words on the $9000. Non of us are probably going to actually "touch" that $ until we decide to do some kind of further studies or withdraw our CPF. Its not "real" money until its been actually used. And from what I can see, its a pretty smart way of buying votes without actually giving real money. Hopefully i can utilize it when I decide to pursue my masters in future. =D

Still, vote wisely in September. =D

Finally I must warn against the use of contact lens during field training of any sort to those still serving.

Once I wore contacts for a day training in the field. I blinked my eye and it popped out without warning and I spent agonizing minutes trying to put it back in. During training your body and eyes can become quickly dehydrated.

I used contacts for a short few years before I completely gave up. I don't know if contact lens technology has improved in the last 20 years but I doubt so. It remains a bad choice of eyesight correction option IMO.

I am really considering to go for Lasik.

Throughout the Paintball rounds this morning. I found that it is very uncomfortable to fit the protection mask with glasses on ! ...also same for water sports.

Lasik, still a risk ?? I am getting a feedback of 98% success rate on Lasik, any one have more reliable data to challenge or support it?

I suggest the National Eye Centre. They have regular public talks on Lasik and they do tell you what Lasik can or cannot do, as well as the risks.

I have spoken to some doctor friends there - they will mention about the different corrective procedures for commandos and pilots (if possible), as well as why it may not be allowed to those in NS.

Thanks..will check it out.

There are other solutions than lasik available. First being contact lenses. I've been wearing contact lenses for years and have never gotten an eye infection from it. Proper cleaning of lenses prior to storage is a must. Forget those "no-rub" labels and just rub those lenses with contact lense solutions prior to storage.

Another version of contact lense you might consider are those that shape the cornea when you sleep. You wear those lenses when you sleep and remove them when you wake up. They supposedly will allow you to have perfect vision for the day, though I'm not sure how long the effects last.

The thing about the 98% success rate is that they don't tell you what kinda effects the 2% of failures have to live with. The consequences to life, be it financially or just quality, will be affected by the degree of damage. As far the data, its about correct. Just that is the 2% chance worth the risk? How will your family take care of itself if you were somehow part of that 2%?

Not trying to fear monger, but thats just my set of considerations when it comes to "optional" surgical procedures.

This being about myopia in the military. In operational field conditions, lenses are even worse than specs.
Even in the worst contaminations of rain, dust, mud etc etc... you can still safely remove, put on specs safely. Contact lenses cant do any of that.

Military use Vs civilian use makes all the difference. Our peacetime NS training dont really come close to ops yet.