Wing optometry Airmen join humanitarian mission in Central America

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zach Jacobs
  • 507th ARW
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Some reservists say that a selling point to serve in the Reserve is the "one weekend a month, two weeks a year" commitment.

But how to spend those two weeks (also known as annual tour)?

Three Airmen from the 507th Medical Squadron teamed with more than 40 reservists from across the Air Force - active duty and reservist alike - on a humanitarian medical readiness exercise, or MEDRETE, to Belize, a Central American country smaller than
Massachusetts.

The team took part in MEDRETE for their annual tour from March 26 to April 9 - their entire two weeks' obligation - to bring humanitarian assistance and free medical care to citizens of the host country.

And the two weeks was time very well spent, according to Master Sgt. Darrin Oglesby, an optometry specialist with the 507th MDS.

"A large patient population was well served with much needed medical services," said Oglesby.

Lt. Col. Bret Anderson, chief of dental services for the 507th MDS and lead dental officer for MEDRETE, said the dental team overcame many obstacles and difficulties in their field conditions.

"With equipment malfunctions, personnel illnesses, finger sticks, unsuitable supplies and inadequate supply amounts," said Anderson, "we prevailed and were greatly appreciated by the locals."

Tech. Sgt. Sarah Nicholas, a dental technician with the 507th MDS, also said that the dental team had their work cut out for them.

The dental team "was the only section to not have a member of the host unit in our care team," said Nicholas.

For more stories on the 50th Air Refueling Wing we encourage you to read this month's On-final  

The optometry team organized nearly 1,000 pairs of spectacles, dispensing nearly 800 prescription eyeglasses to Belizeans with prescription needs ranging from low power
eyeglasses to bifocals.

Oglesby said a fair amount of improvisation was necessary to provide services for Belizeans. For example, since they worked in no formal facilities, the team fabricated operating rooms at their three field sites. Also, they hung up makeshift curtains to
darken overly bright exam rooms, in order to better examine patients' eyes.

And how to sterilize their equipment? Oglesby said the team partnered with the dental team to improvise a field sterilization procedure. This allowed a greater number of
patients to be cared for while still maintaining a standard level of care for all their patients.

Belize is sandwiched between Mexico and Guatemala and located on the western coast of the Caribbean Sea, and is known for its tropical, humid climate. However, the trip took place during Belize's four-month-long dry season.

"The environment of this mission was very dusty," said Oglesby. This led to every single optometry patient needing artificial tears, he added.

Thankfully, those artificial tears - and other necessary items donated - were not in short supply. Oglesby said artificial tears were more than adequate for the number of patients
seen. Other donated medications included glaucoma drops, antibiotics, combination steroid/antibiotic medicines and topical antihistamines, he said.

But not all of the team's time was spent examining patients' eyes and handing out prescription glasses. Oglesby said the team did what they could after hours to take in the
local area. In addition to eating at local restaurants, Oglesby said one day he and other members of the deployed team climbed to the top of High Temple, a 108-foot-tall
place of worship for the ancient Mayan civilization.

By the time the cargo plane took off from Belize on April 9, the optometry crew had treated more than 1,200 patients for various eyesight problems, and the dental team had performed

Not bad for two weeks of work.

Check out the On-final for more stories like this one.