The eyes have it Published Jan. 24, 2008 By Mark Munsey 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- The nation celebrates eye care month in January; the three-person staff at Hickam's Optometry Services clinic brings the caring every half hour of every duty. Between 3,500 and 4,000 patients have Capt. (Dr.) Tara Jayne, Staff Sgt, Christine Bailey and Airman 1st Class David Wilson to thank for the gift of better peepers last year, and 2008 shows no sign of a slowing face pace. "Its recommend an eye in-clinic eye exam every three years at a minimum," Sergeant Bailey said. "Eligible members can schedule an exam annually, and of course we're always available for acute care." As with all the tightening of the appointment belts, active duty have priority. But they don't have exclusivity, according to Dr. Jayne. "We reserve a set amount of appointments each week for dependents and retirees," she said. "But they go quickly, so persistence pays." Eye exam appointments are a two-stage process. Initially, patients give their chins a rest while being pre-screened with the latest in optometric toys. An Autorefractor provides a basic - but not-final-determination - eyeglass prescription. "The machine just lays the groundwork for the doctor's exam later," Sergeant Bailey shared. In addition, patients pony up to the Non-Contact Tonometer, a glaucoma-testing eye-pressure reader that replaced the leaches-as-a-medical-option era of the doctor placing thumbs over eyelids and pushing. "Most folks call it the 'puff machine,'" according to Dr. Jayne. Even with such a dramatic move forward in terms of patient discomfort, Sergeant Bailey knows a bit of exam-side manner can sometimes be required. "When I see the patient getting fidgety when I count down from three on the first eye, I usually go on two for the other." The second phase, completed on an individual basis with Dr. Jayne, involves two more tests; the Slit Lamp Exam giving the doctor a far-more intimate health determination of a patients eyes. The final step before active duty members move to the office eye frame showcase area - featuring four new frame designs - is the legendary 'Which is better -- one or two?' Phoropter machine. "I'm able to take the Autorefractor exam and get more in depth about a patient's particular vision needs," the base eye doctor said. For the vast majority of desk-piloting Team Hickam, there is a simple way to ensure your exam, and eye health overall, continue without a blink, according to Dr. Jayne. The gold-standard number in our profession is 20-20 vision, she said. By adding a third twenty onto that, computer-centric workstation members have an easy way to keep your vision at optimum working condition as well as eliminate a huge source of headaches." "Every twenty minutes you're at a computer, pick a spot 20 feet away from your desk and stare at it for twenty seconds," she said. It will alleviate eyes train and help ensure your eyes on the world remain a healthy perspective.