A normal retina appears on a computer screen at the 18th Medical Group optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 12, 2011. By checking a patient's eyes, ophthalmic technicians can tell whether the individual has glaucoma, cancer or diabetes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dwain Tolbert, 18th Aeromedical Squadron ophthalmic technician, asks patient U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christie Chatham, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron member, to follow the light during a pre-screening at the optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 12, 2011. Kadena's optometry clinic sees roughly 35 to 40 patients a day and provides care for active-duty service members, retirees and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Capt. Kerry Phelan, 18th Aeromedical Squadron optometrist, uses a slit lamp for a detailed close up on patient U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christie Chatham, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron member, to make sure her contacts are sitting correctly and comfortably on her eye at the optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 12, 2011. The slit lamp is a micros scope for the eye that allows the doctor to see inside the eye. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christie Chatham, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron member, checks her vision with a near vision card during her appointment at the 18th Medical Group optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 12, 2011. Service members on flying status must maintain regular eye checkups to ensure the safety of the crew and the readiness of the force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
A model of an eye sits on U.S. Air Force Capt. Kerry Phelan's exam room at the 18th Medical Group optometry clinic at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 12, 2011. Ophthalmic specialists attend eight weeks of training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, to learn how to diagnose eye disorders and what medications to give patients. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Suzette Skrecz, 18th Medical Support Squadron medical readiness technician, looks into a phoropter at the optometry clinic at Kadena Air Base Japan, Oct. 13, 2011. A phoropter is used to find the correct prescription for a set of eyes by switching through different possibilities while the patient reads an eye chart on the other side of the room. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Suzette Skrecz, 18th Medical Support Squadron medical readiness technician, looks straight forward into a slit lamp so U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Jackson, 18th Aeromedical Squadron ophthalmic specialist, can look inside her eye during a checkup at the optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 13, 2011. When you go to the optometry clinic they administer several tests to make sure you are fit to fight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Glasses hang on the wall of the 18th Medical Group's optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 13, 2011. The glasses on the right are the free option for retirees and the glasses on the left are the free options for flyers. The optometry clinic sees active-duty members, retirees and dependents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Jackson, 18th Aeromedical Squadron ophthalmic specialist, fixes a pair of glasses for a patient at the optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 13, 2011. Ophthalmic specialists attend eight weeks of training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, to learn how to diagnose eye disorders and what medications are used to treat the conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
The Airmen at the 18th Medical Group optometry clinic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, are here to make sure service members not only complete their respective jobs but also function happily and healthily. Ophthalmic specialists attend eight weeks of training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, to learn how to diagnose eye disorders and what medications are used to treat the conditions. The optometry clinic at Kadena sees roughly 35 to 40 patients a day and provides care for active-duty service members, retirees and their families. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Keeping sight all right

Published Nov. 29, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Yellow school buses taking kids off to school, red lights when the traffic is already out of hand, and black coffee to give that extra boost in the morning.

The human eye can distinguish about 10 million colors.

Life would be pretty bland if not for our sight and the ophthalmic technicians and doctors at Kadena Air Base, Japan, who help to keep our eyes healthy.

An ophthalmic technician is the friendly face who makes appointments and screens patients before seeing the doctor.

The Kadena optometry clinic sees 35 to 40 patients a day, including active-duty members, retirees and dependents.

"When we go to tech school we learn about different medicines that we can prescribe patients and different contacts that work best for individuals," said Staff Sgt. Dwain Tolbert, 18th Aeromedical Squadron opthalmic technician.

During an appointment, patients may be subjected to the dreaded "puff test," which is a puff of air that tests the pressure of one's eye. But even if someone doesn't enjoy going to the eye doctor, it is important they get their eyes checked to maintain a safe and healthy life.

Without healthy eyes it would be hard to execute one's job safely and effectively. So, when it comes time to schedule an annual checkup, remember the scenery maintained by the local optometry clinic.