Citation

Otto WC, Niebuhr DW, Powers TE, Krauss MR, McVeigh FL, Tarbett AK. Mil. Med. 2006; 171(11): 1137-1141.

Affiliation

Division of Biometrics and Preventive Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17153556

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Military service requires physical fitness, including vision within set standards. Premature attrition inflicts a considerable manpower and fiscal burden upon the military. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort survival analysis of newly enlisted military personnel who entered active duty with a medical waiver for myopia between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2001. Premature attrition rates, both medical and overall, were compared with those for a matched, fully qualified, comparison group. RESULTS: New enlistees with a waiver for myopia had the same probability of remaining on active duty through the first 2 years of service as did fully qualified peers. Enlistees with a waiver for myopia also had a low probability of an early medical discharge for myopia. CONCLUSION: The results of this study tend to validate the current branch-specific myopia waiver processes. They also provide evidence that current myopia accession criteria may be too restrictive and in need of policy review.

Language: en