For many people, sports are an essential part of life. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, an occasional weekend warrior, or simply enjoy being active, good vision can make a big difference in your performance. That’s where sports vision comes in.
At Eye Care Center in Charlotte, NC, we offer comprehensive sports vision exams and specialized corrective options that can help you improve your visual skills and enhance your athletic performance. In this blog, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about sports vision.
What Is Sports Vision?
Sports vision is a sub-discipline of optometry that aims to improve an athlete's visual abilities, such as reaction time, eye-hand coordination, contrast sensitivity, and depth perception. The ultimate goal is to enhance an athlete's sports performance, preventing injuries, and maximizing their visual potential on and off the field. Sports vision care often targets visual skills that athletes require most for their specific sport.
What’s Involved in a Sports Vision Exam?
Sports vision correction can take many forms, and our optometrist will recommend the best solution that meets your specific needs. Corrective measures can include eyeglasses or specialty contact lenses, which may need to be custom-made to suit your sports vision needs. In addition, vision therapy, a type of rehabilitation therapy, could strengthen visual skills that may be affecting the athlete's sports performance. Some exercises can be done in the clinic or as a home regimen.
How Does An Optometrist Improve Sports Vision?
Our optometrist can correct your sports vision in several ways. If you need a prescription for glasses or contacts, we can provide that for you. Additionally, specialized sports eyewear such as polarized lenses, tinted lenses, or sports goggles can be prescribed for specific athletic activities. Eye coordination exercises, such as tracking moving objects or throwing and catching balls, can also help improve your visual skills.
How Does Sports Vision Help Me in My Sport?
Sports vision helps enhance an athlete's visual competence and supports their sports performance in the following ways:
- Improved reaction times
- Improved hand-eye coordination
- Enhanced visual memory
- Improved depth perception
- Improved peripheral vision
- Faster focus adjustment
- Increased balance and stability
How Do I Know if I Need a Sports Vision Exam?
If you are involved in competitive sports or play recreational sports at a high intensity, you will benefit from a sports vision exam. A sports vision exam can detect any visual deficits that may hinder your sports performance and create a personalized vision plan to optimize your sports performance.
Book an Appointment With Us Today
If you’re an athlete or just someone who enjoys being active, sports vision is an essential aspect of your overall eye care. By having a sports vision exam, you can understand your visual strengths and weaknesses and take steps to correct them with the help of your optometry professional. At Eye Care Center- Ballantyne in Charlotte, NC, we specialize in sports vision and are here to help you achieve your fullest potential. Contact us today to schedule your sports vision exam and take the first step towards better athletic performance.