Balls, bats and racquets are just some of the types of sports equipment used by athletes.  Athletes also have to rely on their own physical and mental abilities for optimal performance on or off the field.

Athletic performance is dependent on many factors.  One that is crucial to help perform at the highest level in all sports is accurate vision.  Vision, itself, is dependent on many different visual processes.  Not only is it necessary to have healthy ocular structures, but it also is necessary to have efficient visual skills in order to perform at optimal levels.  These visual skills go far beyond the ability to see 20/20.  They are:

● Ocular Motility (eye tracking skills)

● Accommodation (focusing skills)

● Binocularity (eye teaming skills)

● Central / Peripheral awareness and control (ability to pay attention to what is  ahead of the athlete as well as what is surrounding the athlete)

● Visual recognition and response speed (time required to perceive and respond to  visual stimulation)

● Sensory / Motor integration and control (ability to combine input from the other  senses in the body with the visual system in order to perform efficiently)

● Automaticity (ability to function visually without conscious effort)

The program that is offered at La Mesa Vision Care Center involves a vision screening, focusing on refractive error and the above areas of vision.  The screening takes about 15 minutes per athlete.

Any athlete found to have below average levels of vision in any of the above areas would receive a recommendation for further testing and possible vision training.

It is important to understand that all athletes, regardless of evaluated levels of visual skill, can enhance their skills through vision training.  Dr. Giles’ goals for the screening program are to give every athlete evaluated the best opportunity to succeed visually.