setting up a sports vision

1. SETTING UP A SPORTS
VISION PRACTICE
VORA PARTH N.
T.Y. B.OPTOM

2. Philosophy of sports vision
• The basic premise of sports vision depends on
the concept that the eyes feed information to
the brain which in turn interprets the
information to set the arms, hands, legs, feet
and the body's balance system in motion. This
happens within a fraction of a second, over
and over again, for the duration of play.

3. The market
• In the US , enthusiasts spent over $30 billion
in 1989 on products related to sports.
• In the equipment market , large sums were
spent in golf ,hunting , fishing.
• $300 million was spent on optical goods
related to sports.

4. History
• Visual history
• Sports specific questionnaire
• The questioner gives the practitioner an
understanding of :
how the athlete perceives his or her problem.
How it affects the athletic performance.
How motivated the athlete is to correct it.

5. Examination & Instrumentation
• Refraction
• Testing of binocular function
• Retinal photographs( imp for combat sports)
• Visual field
• Tests given in free space to evaluate :
• Peripheral skills , eye hand foot co-ordination
• Dynamic visual acuity, Contrast sensitivity
• Depth perception, Reflexes
• Eye dominance and other visual reflexes.

7. Staffing the practice
• Vision therapist shall be employed.
• The therapists must be available when the
patients need them , which may include
weekends and evenings.
• Therapist is responsible for:
• Designing test flow , testing personnel
• Public relations person , lecture to athletic
groups.

8. Establishing a practice
• Affiliate with a sports vision organisation.
• The International Academy of sports vision
was established in 1984.
• American optometric association sports vision
section provides the Sports Vision Guidebook.
• Important to make yourself and services
known to all.
• Coaches , athletic directors and trainers
should be kept in contact.

9. Sports vision testing
• Holding a sports vision screening is a good
way of letting people know , what sports
vision practice can offer.
• Location of testing : office and on-site.

10. Developing links
• Important to work around the coaches
schedules and work with the coach.
• Best to work with the player off season.
• Build confidence from the coach’s , trainer’s
and the player’s to provide a worthwhile
service.

11. Marketing
• In the practice :
• Talk about sports during examination to
develop interest.
• Create a sports atmosphere.
• (pamphlets , brochure , photos and articles.)

12. • Lecture to various organisations.
• Advertise via general newspaper or
magazines.
• Arrange a fitness/health display.
• Arrange seminars.
• Have an open house function.
In the community

13. Economics of sports vision
• Reasonable fee structure should be
developed.
• Schedule the time of testing.
• Charge according to the number of hours of
testing.
• Office sports vision therapy should be charged
at regular vision therapy rate.

14. Levels of sports vision practice
• Level 1 :
• Use a sports questionnaire.
• Emphasize role of contact lenses.
• Ensure employees are educated , involved and
promotes sports vision to patients.

15. • Level 2 :
• Holding an open house with free contact lens
trials.
• Sports vision screening for a local team.
• Demonstrate frames and protective devices.

16. • Level 3 :
• Practitioner becomes a sport vision specialist.
• A consultant to a local team.
• A performance enhancement consultant to an
athlete.

17. The future
• Sports vision is now gaining credibility with
research and data to support the findings and
claims.