Cadet Optometry Clinic
Services Provided
The Cadet Optometry Clinic provides:
- Graduation Clearance Exams (graduation eye exam)
- Flight Eye Exams
- Acute Optometry Services (access allowing)
- Routine Optometry Services (access allowing/10 MDG coverage)
Beneficiaries Treated
- Cadets
- Active Duty Service Members (Flyers)
Accessing Care (Follow Instructions for Scenarios Below)
Flight/Grad Eye Exams
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Initial flying class and graduate eye exams are 2-3 hours in length and include dilation.
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Book via the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal by selecting the option to Schedule an Appointment, select Optometry Appointment for the reason for your visit, then Air Force Medicine USAF Academy Cadet Optometry Clinic location option. See screenshots at the bottom of this page.
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Bring and take note of the following items prior to the appointment:
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Bring prescription glasses (Only glasses can be used for this exam – no contacts).
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Soft contact lens wearers: NO contact lens wear for 30 days prior to your exam.
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Rigid contact lens wearers: NO contact lens wear for 90 days prior to your exam.
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Contact lenses can cause irregular shaped corneas which may potentially disqualify cadets from a rated AFSC.
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If patient arrives wearing contacts, they will be turned away and asked to reschedule.
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Bring sunglasses.
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Patient will be dilated with effects lasting up to 24-48 hours meaning they will be DNIF/Do not involve flying/jumping (no Airmanship activities for 48 hours)
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It is recommended patients do not choose a day involving a GR or study activities for a test
Routine and Acute Eye Exams for Cadets
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Annual eye exams: Acute Eye Issues/Eye Pain: Contact the access to care line at 719-524-2273, option 1.
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Acute Eye Issues/Eye Pain: Contact the access to care line at 719-524-2273, option 1.
Refractive Surgery/PRK/LASIK/Laser Vision
Contact Lenses
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Current contact lens wearers: wear contact lenses and bring a copy of your last year’s prescription to have it renewed. Purchasing of contacts are out of pocket.
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Never worn contacts: It is not a TRICARE covered service and will have to be seen off- base for an initial contact lens fitting (out of pocket cost).
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This is not applicable to AD flyers or cadets who are covered under the contact lens program for active duty flyers.
Paperwork, Prescription Copies
- Use the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal to send messages to USAF Academy Optometry Clinic. Attach files within the message menu. You will receive attachments in return when requested.
How to Utilize the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal
Book Flight/Grad Eye Exam Online
From the Dashboard, choose the option to Schedule an Appointment.
In the schedule appointment menu, select who the appointment is for and then choose Optometry Appointment in the reason for your visit.
Next, choose the location of Air Force Medicine USAF Academy Cadet Optometry.
Now, select a date/time to book the flight/grad eye exam. Use the calendar to navigate date ranges. When finding the best date, click select.
Lastly, provide all of the appropriate information in the Review and Schedule Appointment menu and click the blue Schedule Appointment button to finalize the selection.
Paperwork/Prescription Requests/Messages
From the Dashboard, choose the option to Message My Provider.
In the New Message menu, select the patient that the message is on behalf of. In the To field, search USAF Academy Optometry Clinic. Type the appropriate subject, attach files as appropriate and the desired message.
Request Appointments
From the Dashboard, choose the option to Schedule an Appointment.
From there, choose the patient that this request is on behalf as well as the Request Appointment (Other) Online in the field Choose a reason for your visit, then Search.
In the Request an Appointment menu, search USAF Academy Optometry Clinic in the Send request to field. Fill in all required fields to assist the Optometry staff with the information needed to fulfill your appointment request.
