Virtually all "ball" sports require a finely tuned visual system.  Basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer, tennis, golf, volleyball, hockey and lacrosse are the most common for these types of programs.  However, sports such as archery and target shooting also benefit from precise eye alignment and focusing.  

Your eyes and brain lead and direct your body during competition.  So garbage in, garbage out.  If the brain is not receiving precise information, the body's response will not be accurate.  For example, an athlete with uncorrected near-sightedness will have a slower reaction time, reduced depth perception and have a tendency to be "late" or "behind" on actions or movements.  Also, if an athlete has an eye coordination or eye tracking deficiency he/she will have trouble following the ball as it moves across the field or court.  If an athlete has trouble focusing from one distance to another quickly, this will slow them down as well.  In competition, even a 1-2 second delay can make a big difference.  These are just a few examples.  There are certainly many more ways that a finely tuned visual system can improve your overall performance.

Most medical or vision insurance policies do not cover the sports vision evaluation or training programs.

Once the athlete has completed the sports vision evaluation and the visual skills profile has been created, we can build the training program.  The training programs are tailored specifically to the athlete's baseline skill level.  They are designed to target any weaknesses and to keep all of the visual skills in balance so the visual system will perform like a well-oiled machine.  Depending on the initial skill levels, the programs will vary from athlete to athlete.  Typically, the training programs are 8-10 weeks long.  The athlete will usually spend 10-20 minutes a day, 3-5 days per week performing the drills.  The programs are set up to allow the athlete to perform their drills at their home or gym.  There are more intensive programs that include in-office or one-on-one sessions depending on the circumstances.  Ideally, these programs are performed during the off-season of the athlete's sport.  These training programs are like any other fitness programs; the more you put in the more you get out.  Motivation and consistency is the key to getting the maximum benefit.     

Most of the training programs are designed so the athlete can perform the drills at home or at their gym.  There are higher level training programs that incorporate in-office or one-on-one sessions as well depending on the circumstances or the athlete's goals.  Team sports vision screenings can usually be done off-site, at the school, gym or athletic club.  

No.  For the evaluations, we recommend the athlete wear whatever glasses or contact lenses they normally wear during practice or games.  If it is determined that the athlete needs a new or different vision correction, that can be done at any time.

Comfortable clothes (shorts, t-shirt) and tennis shoes.  Flip flops, sandals, boots or cleats are not ideal for the evaluations.  

Yes.  In fact, this is a large part of what we do.  Team screenings are slightly less comprehensive than the full evaluation, but will provide a lot of information about the visual skills of the athletes and how they rank or compare to their teammates.  

Yes.  We love to talk about sports and your vision.  We will happily give presentations or seminars to your group.  Feel free to contact us any time for more information or to set up an event.