BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - As the only deployed physician assistant with 2nd "Black Jack" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Capt. La Tasha Gray, treats and cares for thousands of troops, a challenge she will not have to face alone while in Afghanistan.
Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Marcus Neuffer, an ophthalmologist with 455th Expeditionary Medical Group/Task Force Medical East (EMDG/TF MED-E), Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, hosted an ophthalmology lecture at Craig Joint Theater Hospital, July 30. Attendees also took part in a "best eyes" contest, which concluded the presentation.
Approximately 30 military and civilian healthcare providers were in attendance for the lecture, which educated and introduced them to the most predominate eye issues seen in Afghanistan.
Neuffer said his goal was to help the providers distinguish between the urgent and non-urgent eye cases, and which ones could be could be handled at a primary care level.
"I see about 100 referred cases a month, and a good percentage of which are cases of non-urgency," continued Neuffer. "This number can be reduced by proper identification of the illness."
Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Jeff Marcotte, a family practitioner with the 455th EMDG/TF MED-E, said the lecture was insightful, and helped him identify small differences in what would be considered an urgent or non-urgent case. He also gained new information on the anatomy of the eye.
Taking the new knowledge back with him and to his technicians will help him treat simple eye illnesses sooner, said Marcotte. He ensures his technicians are always up-to-date on new information, and most of them can already properly identify certain eye illnesses before consult with a provider.
Marcotte alone encounters about 30 patients a month with eye problems; most with dry or pink eye.
The two most prominent eye illnesses in Afghanistan are red eye and pink eye - also known as conjunctivitis - according to Neuffer.
"Most cases seen in theater are simply dry eye. Your eye is red, irritated and itchy, and these cases are the ones that can be identified and taken care of at a primary care level," said Neuffer.
Neuffer explained many red eye or iritis cases are contributed to environmental factors, such as poor air quality and high levels of dirt, sand and smoke. He says poor sanitation and hygiene - not washing your hands - are other factors, but ones that could lead to serious eye illnesses.
Serious illnesses are various forms of pink eye, when left untreated or not treated in time and Endophthalmitis - an inflammatory condition of the eye usually caused by infection, which can lead to vision loss, added Neuffer.
Most effective treatments for eye illnesses are eye drops or "artificial tears," steroids and topical applications, however, serious cases may include laser treatment or immediate surgery, said Neuffer.
In addition to the lecture and for some entertainment, Neuffer conducted a "best eyes" contest. The two categories were male and female, each category containing about 12 contestants each. Attendees voted for the best looking eyes from each category, with each winner receiving a prize.
Winners of the contest were: female category - Air Force Capt. Ryan Krampert, anesthesiologist, and male category -Air force Capt. Jeff Marcotte, family practitioner
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