VISION MATTERS IN SPORTS – PART FOUR (TEAM SPORTS)

August 18, 2014
A baseball is being thrown in the air by a pitcher

Soccer, hockey, volleyball, baseball, and basketball – these are just a few of the organized sports that have high rates of participation among children and adults alike. Many have been enjoying outdoor team sports all summer long. The arrival of the school season usually means a change in activity and signing up for fall and winter team sports for many.

Vision demands of players involved in team sports is very complex and involved. Many systems are being tested at the same time.  A player’s performance in sports is definitely affected by the following:

  • Visual memory – ability to process fast-moving objects into a mental image and retrieve later ( Here is an online game to test your visual memory) )
  • Depth perception – ability to process information pertaining to distances between objects and between the player and other objects
  • Peripheral vision – vision out to the sides
  • Dynamic visual acuity – ability to lock on and track a fast-moving object in order to process its relative location
  • Visual reaction time – speed at which the visual message is processed by the brain and a corresponding action initiated
  • Focusing speed and efficiency – ability to switch from near to far objects quickly and easily

An athlete may have problems in some or all of these areas and still be able to see the smallest letters on the eye chart!

Fortunately, problems in these areas can be identified and trained by a vision therapist who specializes in sports vision.  Vision therapy can help a batter improve her average, a goalie improve his stats or a forward score more goals.

Consider the safety aspects of team sports.  Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children, and most injuries among kids age 11-14 occur while playing sports.  Baseball is the leading cause of eye injuries among kids under 14 years of age, and basketball is the sport causing most injuries between 15 and 24 years of age.  Safety eye wear is the most effective way of preventing eye injuries while playing sports.

–          Dr. Wilk

 

An advertisement for zeiss duravision gold uv glasses
By Rosendo C July 2, 2025
Say goodbye to smudges, scratches, and glare. Discover how ZEISS DuraVision Gold UV keeps your glasses cleaner, clearer, and better looking, every day.
A little girl wearing glasses is thinking with her hand on her chin.
By Rosendo C June 25, 2025
Tired of crooked glasses? Learn the real reasons your frames won’t sit straight, and how Mountain View Optometry can help.
A person is holding a paddle with a tennis ball on it.
By Rosendo C June 18, 2025
Stay active and protected with custom prescription sports glasses in Calgary. Discover impact-resistant, anti-fog, and UV-protected eyewear tailored for your sport and lifestyle at Mountain View Optometry.
A close up of a man wearing glasses with blue eyes.
By Rosendo C June 11, 2025
Discover how i.Scription by ZEISS offers clearer night vision, sharper contrast, and reduced eye strain through personalized lens technology.
A young boy wearing Z1 blue sunglasses and a blue shirt
By Rosendo C June 4, 2025
Z1 blue lenses help reduce seizure risk in photosensitive epilepsy by filtering specific light frequencies. Learn how they offer comfort, control, and confidence.
A woman wearing glasses and a beret is smiling.
By Rosendo C May 28, 2025
Discover how to choose the best frames for your progressive lenses. Learn what features to look for and what to avoid to ensure clear, comfortable vision.
A woman wearing VAKAY sunglasses covering her face with her hands
By Rosendo C May 21, 2025
Explore VAKAY’s journey from a personalized design to a renowned handmade eyewear brand. Discover their latest exclusive collection, crafted with precision, passion, and a commitment to sustainability through their ONE FOR ONE tree-planting initiative.
A woman wearing glasses and a pink coat is smiling
By Rosendo C May 21, 2025
Bevel Eyewear Calgary | Spring-Summer 2025
A woman is covering her face with her hands because she has Photophobia and Light Sensitivity.
By Rosendo C May 7, 2025
Discover the best sunglasses tint for light sensitivity relief. Learn how FL-41 lenses can ease photophobia symptoms like migraines and eye strain.
A black and white photo of a woman wearing moscot glasses.
By Rosendo C May 7, 2025
Moscot 110th Anniversary
Show More