Military Combat Eye Protection uptake of UK service personnel on Operation TORAL in Afghanistan

Military Combat Eye Protection (CEP) is a form of personal protective equipment designed to protect the eyes and surrounding structures. A review of 67 586 US and UK personnel wounded during Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrated that eye injuries were present in 8% of survivors or those who died of wounds. CEP was first introduced to UK military personnel in Iraq during 2006 and has been shown to reduce both the incidence and severity of eye injury, with the current CEP issued as part of the VIRTUS body armour and load carriage system.

To assess user perception and experience of issued CEP by UK service personnel, a voluntary survey was returned by 200 UK personnel deployed on Operation TORAL, the UK contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan post Op HERRICK, from 2014. In total, 10 questions were asked about CEP, including two that allowed users to offer 'free-text' comments.

193 out of 200 (97%) responded that they regularly wore the issued low-impact spectacles, while 54 out of 198 (27%) responded that they regularly changed their lenses. Goggles were worn by only 25 out of 200 (13%), with 64 out of 200 (32%) stating they perceived that there was no requirement for their use.

Excellent wearer uptake of low-impact spectacles was found, likely reflecting mandatory use in conjunction with a well-established predeployment educational programme. The poor uptake of medium-impact goggles reflected that either users perceived that there was no requirement to wear them or did not believe they had been issued them. Further research is recommended to identify the optimal colour of lens that should be used. If multiple lens colours are required, lenses should either be easier to change or multiple sets should be issued, along with appropriate training provided for when each lens should be used.