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Army Science and Technology Objective: IV.ME.2002.01

Problem

The human eye, the most important biological sensor to Army operations, is extremely vulnerable to the directed energy from military lasers. In an instant, and without warning, temporary or permanent visual impairment can be produced at tactical ranges and beyond. In the absence of proven medical countermeasures, the threat of visual impairment can seriously degrade force effectiveness. The Army needs effective diagnostic tools and treatments to rapidly evaluate and treat laser eye injuries on the battlefield to mitigate long-term damage, and laser eye exposure limits to guide the development of advanced laser systems that pose reduced risks of injury to soldiers who use them.

Medical Research Solution

Previous medical research identified promising treatment strategies, laid the groundwork for the development of diagnostic tools, and produced laser eye exposure limits that benefited laser system developers and eye protection programs. This research expands upon earlier efforts by providing updated exposure limits for a new generation of frequency-agile laser systems and developing advanced genomic and proteomic derived treatment strategies, and developing comprehensive laser eye injury diagnostic tools.

Products

• Updated exposure limits for a new generation of frequency-agile laser systems - enables weapon system developers to develop effective weapon systems that pose reduced risks of injury to the soldiers who use them.
• Laser eye injury field therapy kit containing comprehensive laser eye injury diagnostic tools and advanced genomic and proteomic derived treatment strategies - provides combat medics with tools to rapidly diagnose and treat laser eye injuries on the battlefield to minimize vision loss.

Last Update: April 2, 2003