MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The optometry flight clinic at Maxwell Air Force Base ensures Airmen maintain optimal visual acuity to effectively execute their duties.
“Our mission is simple: readiness,” said Tech. Sgt. Gabino Gutierrez, 42d Medical Group human performance flight chief. “Our job is to make sure every Airman has the visual equipment and care they need to complete the mission.”
The optometry flight clinic, part of Maxwell’s human performance flight, supports active-duty personnel, Air University students and dependents requiring continuity of care. Providers perform vision exams, readiness screenings and issue mission-specific eyewear such as gas mask inserts and aviator glasses.
“Time management is one of the toughest parts of what we do, but it’s also where teamwork really matters,” said Gutierrez. “Between routine appointments and last-minute deployment exams, we have to stay flexible and mission-focused.”
Gutierrez explained readiness drives all clinic operations, including proactive vision health and emergency deployment exams.
“If someone’s deploying next week and needs an eye exam or glasses, we make it happen,” Gutierrez said. “We can see them within 24 hours and their deployment glasses usually arrive within days.”
The optometry flight clinic continues to modernize, recently acquiring new diagnostic equipment which maps the cornea to identify vision issues and determine eligibility for refractive surgeries such as laser assisted in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. This advanced technology also helps evaluate aircrew candidates during flight physicals and detect early conditions like keratoconus.
“With a staff of just three, the clinic manages over 270 patients a month,” said Maj. Katelin Staley, 42d MDG physical medicine optometry flight commander. "Guiding the flight and learning how to best support physical therapy has been a rewarding journey this year.’
One challenge is staying on top of evolving technology while handling a demanding workload, but the team finds the work meaningful because it directly influences personnel’s ability to deploy or maintain flight status.
“Optometry might be a small part of the medical group, but it’s vital,” said Guiterrez. “We make sure Airmen can see and that means they can fly, fight and complete the mission.”