Camp Lester to temporarily shift eye care for some

[unhappycamper]

Camp Lester to temporarily shift eye care for some
By Natasha Lee, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, March 16, 2009

CAMP LESTER, Okinawa — Starting in April, patients not on active duty who are due for eye exams and care at the naval optometry clinic will be referred to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s eye care center on Kadena Air Base, officials said.

The temporary shift in services will run through Aug. 1 and is one of several changes U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa is implementing as it braces for a transitory reduction in staff as sailors and Marines change duty stations this summer, said the hospital’s commanding officer, Navy Capt. Brian Dawson.

Dawson said the naval optometry clinic will still accept walk-in emergency patients. The AAFES eye care center accepts Tricare patients and does not require doctor referrals for exams or prescriptions, he said.

At a town hall meeting Thursday, Dawson introduced the new measures and addressed concerns from patients.

The forum was the first held by the hospital.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61360