Sports Vision Training in Manlius and Syracuse, NY

World-class athletes are in peak physical performance. They continuously train and condition their bodies to reach new heights. Equally as important is training your eyesight. Studies confirm that enhanced eyesight and visual skills are linked to outstanding athletic performances, especially in sports where visual acuity and contrast sensitivity play a major role.

Athletes in central New York wishing to gain a competitive edge can train their vision at the eye care centers of Savedoff, Ciccone & Davis, Doctors of Optometry, P.C. Our highly skilled team works closely with athletes to improve visual performance, which can translate to better outcomes on the field or on the court. Discover more about the sports vision training offered at our Manlius and Syracuse, New York, offices.

About Our Sports Vision Training Services

Savedoff, Ciccone & Davis, Doctors of Optometry, P.C., offers a solution for athletes seeking to improve their visual skills and abilities. Our sports vision training involves a personalized program of exercises and activities that help athletes improve their visual skills to perform better in their sport. The training focuses on developing skills that are important for eye-hand-body coordination and making quick decisions.

Athletes of all ages and all levels of competition can benefit from enhanced vision training. Depending on the athlete, their respective sport, and vision goals, sports vision training programs can include the use of specialized medical equipment under the guidance of our optometrists. Doctors may also recommend conventional eyeglasses, contact lenses, or specialized sports glasses to correct eyesight deficiencies.

The sports vision training our doctors provide is intended to help athletes elevate their performances in a variety of ways, such as catching, throwing, or hitting a ball. It can also help with balance and functioning vestibular systems (the part of our inner ear that helps coordinate head and eye movements). 

Sports Vision Evaluation

Understanding the relationship between vision and sports performance is crucial for any athlete who wants to excel. Our doctors conduct a thorough sports vision evaluation to assess an athlete’s vision and the potential benefits of sports vision training.

First, doctors determine whether any refractive errors are present, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, which could affect visual acuity. Then they assess focusing, tracking, binocular, and other dynamic visual skills. Finally, they comprehensively evaluate the patient’s eye health, both internally and externally, with a thorough eye health examination. Once this information is gathered, doctors create a customized sports vision training program.

Skills Improved with Sport Vision Training

Sports vision training focuses on the various aspects of vision health, which athletes rely on to achieve success while competing. Vision skills that can be improved through sports vision training include:

• Dynamic visual acuity: This is the ability to see objects clearly while in motion. Athletes need good visual acuity skills to locate nearby and faraway objects or players clearly, even when moving fast.
• Tracking: The common phrase, “Keep your eye on the ball,” refers to eye tracking, which allows athletes to focus on an object at high speeds. In actuality, the phrase should say, “Keep BOTH eyes on the ball,” and for that reason, eye tracking skills are critical.
• Focusing flexibility (depth perception): Athletes competing in large open fields must accurately judge how far away an object is and quickly shift focus from one distance to another. This visual skill is necessary for accurately determining the distance between the player and the ball, teammates and opponents, and boundary lines.
• Peripheral vision: This skill refers to seeing objects outside of your direct line of sight. Good peripheral vision can benefit athletes as they often must be aware of what is going on around them while concentrating on an object in front of them.
• Visualization: Top athletes can picture in their minds how a properly executed movement or play will look and feel.
• Reaction time: Being able to react quickly is important for athletes, especially those competing in sports that involve moving at high rates of speed, such as baseball or hockey.