Vision and visual skills play a critical role in athletic performance.
Contact UsJust as you train to maximize your aerobic capacity, muscle quickness and muscle strength, your vision skills can be trained to higher levels of performance.
Studies show that the vision skills of high level athletes are generally better than those who do not perform at these levels. Although many athletes can read 20/20 on an eye chart other critical vision skills include:
Dynamic Visual Acuity
The ability to see objects clearly while in motion.
Tracking
The ability to “keep your eye on the ball”, regardless of how fast it is moving.
Focusing Flexibility
The ability to quickly shift focus from one distance to another.
Peripheral Vision
The ability to be aware of what is going on around you while you are concentrating on an object in front of you.
Visualization
The ability to “picture in your mind” how a properly executed movement will look and feel.
Dr. Leonard Savedoff
Dr Savedoff is a consultant to the Syracuse University Department of Sports Medicine. For those athletes who have difficulties with these vision skills, sports vision training can help “level the playing field”. For those with good vision skills, sports vision training enhancement can provide that “extra edge” needed to separate you from your peers.
Symptoms of Vision Skill Difficulties:
If you, a family member or friend experience any of the following it could be a sign that you have a vision problem that could be affecting your sports performance:
- Inability to concentrate
- Performance decreases in high pressure situations
- Poor eye-hand coordination
- Not performing to potential. Headaches or fatigue
- Inconsistent performance
- Inability to wear habitual vision correction for sports
- Headaches or fatigue
- Little or no improvement with practice
Sports Vision Evaluation
A sports vision evaluation begins with a determination of the refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism) which may be reducing visual acuity. It then proceeds to the evaluation of focusing, tracking, binocular and other dynamic visual skills. Finally, eye health is completely evaluated, both externally and internally. Once this information is acquired, the patient is consulted as to the potential benefit of any sports vision training that is indicated.
If you feel that you or someone you know would benefit from improved vision skills please call our Syracuse or Manlius office to set up an evaluation.
