The VCE was created by Congress through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to address military eye injuries. This includes:

• Prevention
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Rehabilitation 
• Visual system disorders including:
  • Vision problems linked to traumatic brain injury

We also established the Defense and Veterans Eye Injury and Vision RegistryLearn more about DVEIVR (DVEIVR). This registry keeps track of eye injury data over time from the DOD and VA medical records.

Operational Structure

Our organization reports to two offices:

• DHA Research and Engineering Directorate
• VA Office of Patient Care Services

A Branch Chief and a Deputy Branch Chief oversee our organization. They work with other DOD and VA groups to plan the organization's future.

Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment & Rehabilitation

We strive to prevent, treat, and help patients recover from visual system injuries and conditions. We work with the VA and their partners to improve eye health for all service members and veterans. We accomplish this through:

• Research prioritization and translation
• Requirement assessment and data analysis
• Clinical educational support
• Defense & Veterans Eye Injury and Vision Registry (DVEIVR)

Looking Ahead

As a primary source of eye care for service members and veterans, we plan to ensure that care is coordinated in the best way possible. We've made progress in key areas to improve the eye health and vision of injured service members and veterans.