Attendees of the lecture “Sports Vision Enhancement and Performance Training for Youth, Collegiate, and Professional Teams,” which took place 1 p.m. yesterday, received a “playbook” of sorts from lecturers Amar Sayani, OD, FAAO, and Katherine Green, O.D., FAAO. Specifically, the book contained instructions for each test associated with functional vision testing for sports.

“The goal of this lecture is to better allow the optometrist to positively impact performance in sports,” Dr. Sayani said. “The impact optometrists can make on athletes in their geographical area can be profound.”

Sharpening skills
Armed with their playbooks, attendees were invited to experience each device or activity designed to improve areas of weakness identified during baseline data acquisition.

Incidentally, baseline data acquisition includes case history (e.g., an assessment of sport-specific visual demands), visual acuity testing, contrast sensitivity function, refraction, ocular and motor dominance, and ocular alignment. It also includes vergence and accommodative function, ocular motor function, visual spatial testing, dynamic visual function assessment, and visualization (e.g., test of visual perceptual skills and visual memory).

For visual spatial skills training, for example, a yoked prism with bag toss, was on site for attendees to try. For vision and balance training, a balance board was available. For visual motor skills training, a Marsden ball was on hand. 

Team modifications/equipment
To facilitate incorporating sports vision services into one’s practice, the lecture ended with a discussion on how to optimize sports vision services for youth, collegiate, and professional teams, along with advice on start-up equipment, marketing the service, and interdisciplinary relationships. OM