Hands On EyeCare

When it comes to sports vision, the question, "what is that?" frequently pops up. It is a good question.  Sports vision is an essentially young field and is practiced in several different ways and levels.  Traditionally, eye care facilities specializing in this field generally focus on the safety aspects of sports, but many are increasingly beginning to include vision therapy designed to strengthen eye coordination.

The form practiced at Hands On is different from most others.  While many traditional aspects are maintained, a more integrated approach involving the entire scope of vision and incorporating the development of accurate, coordinated eye-body movements is emphasized.  Such an approach requires an understanding of:

1. Vision
2. The eye
3. The mind and cerebral processes
4. The body
5. Movement
6. The nature of the sport and its positions

Essentially we do not stop at making your vision 20/20, but we also assess and train peripheral vision, 3-dimensional, multidirectional eye movements and spatial orientation, speed of recognition, mental memory, physical anticipation and reactivity, and overall controlled coordination... to name a few.

Sports Vision at Hands On EyeCare

In 2009, the Hands On EyeCare Sports and Performance Institute was born.  It was developed out of the research of several sports vision and exercise specialists as well as the studies of Dr. Spencer Obie.  The result of such work is the 25-point evaluation and systematic training scheme that has led to the improved performance of several athletes and non-athletes alike.  

The eye is responsible for over 80% of all sensory intake.  As performance demands increase and situation speeds increase, the information taken in through the eyes and the body's response becomes particularly more crucial.  Training through the Sports and Performance Institute gives the participant the proverbial "edge" over the competition while naturally creating a more "cerebral" athlete.

Who can benefit?

Many professional athletes work on their sports vision, but so do high school and college athletes as well as recreational golfers, tennis players and even billiards players. Some professionals can benefit from the same vision training, including law enforcement personnel and pilots.

When you visit a sports vision specialist, he or she will probably give you a complete eye exam and will ask you many questions about your activities. More testing will determine your sports-related needs.

A basic evaluation involves

1. comprehensive ocular evaluation,
2. an additional indepth visual-sensory screen - an extended analysis of the visual-oculomotor system along with a basic extrasensory assessment, and
3. a "physical execution" potential screen - which evaluates the body's potential to execute commands dictated by the mind's interpretation of visual data.

From this a preliminary protocol is designed which can then be compared with a field analysis.  Afterward, a final fully integrated protocol is designed and the process for "game" enhancement begins. 

It sounds like a mouthful, but it really works!  The amount of science that went into providing this service was extensive but has been proven to be extremely helpful.

 Click on the links below to see videos of Sports Vision as applied to everyday life.

Police Chase