As technology turns, sports vision and performance optometrist pivots

Not that long ago, about 40 years ago, eye tracking in sports vision might have amounted to an expertly-trained doctor of optometry shining a penlight into a patient’s eyes, moving it in specific patterns to determine the patient’s ability to follow a moving target in all directions, and monitoring a patient’s gaze and eye movements.

Today, eye tracking can be wearable—a pair of high-tech glasses fitted with a camera and data processing worn by elite athletes—that captures what the eyes fixate on and what they don’t. All that visual data and more is collected and analyzed. How smoothly did the eyes follow or pursue a moving object? How fast is the eye processing the information for the brain to react to (cognitive speed)?

Technology has come a long way in helping athletes get a competitive edge.

“We can analyze where the athlete is looking at critical moments during performance,” says Graham Erickson, O.D., a professor at Pacific University College of Optometry who teaches sports vision, pediatric optometry and vision therapy and has coached elite athletes.

“There’s a wealth of research that shows that successful athletes use their fixation moments very strategically,” he adds. “That can be used to help train athletes to be able to look in the right places at the right time to potentially improve their performance.”

The more information an athlete or their trainer knows the faster they might go. Through performance assessments, preceded by comprehensive eye exams, they can work on improving their reactions to visual stimulus.

The opposing players are charging toward a goalie. What can the goalie see that will betray where the shot might come from? Does the opposing player plant his foot before striking the ball? Should the goalie look into his eyes for a clue on which way he’s going with the kick?

“At the critical moment, where are they looking?” Dr. Erickson asks.

What’s sports vision?

Need evidence that sports and performance vision has advanced by leaps and bounds?

In the preface to his 2020 book, “Sports Vision: Vision Care for the Enhancement of Sports Performance” (second edition), Dr. Erickson presents the breadth of the field and signals how far sports vision has come.

In addition to the assessment and treatment of refractive error and functional vision inefficiencies, Dr. Erickson says the particular skills of sports vision include:

• The prevention and management of sports-related eye injuries.
• Identification and management of sports-related concussions.
• Determination of appropriate protective eyewear.
• Understanding of filters and their potential application in sports.
• Assessment of sports-specific vision skills.

“Vision is the guiding sense for most sports performance, and sports vision is one of the many disciplines that can contribute to the achievement of peak performance,” he wrote.

Embrace the future

Doctors of optometry are no strangers to adapting to new technology. But the changes ahead, due to artificial intelligence, can evolve and improve quality of care. Dr. Erickson recommends optometrists find opportunities to learn more about what lies ahead: Attend continuing education, connect with potential collaborators, such as coaches and trainers, and stay current with trends in technology.

“It's a gratifying part of what I do,” says Dr. Erickson who works with athletes at all ages and levels. “It's not the majority of what I do, but it's gratifying helping people enhance their performance.”

Resources to make a difference for athletes

Interested in helping the AOA advocate for better sports and performance vison (SPV) policies, regulations and laws? Would you like to be listed in AOA's Doctor Locator as a doctor of optometry with a special emphasis in SPV? The SPV Committee provides strong leadership and expertise for the AOA's advocacy initiatives, but the real change and services come from the coordinated efforts of our members.

Joining AOA's Sports & Performance Vision Advocacy Network will not only keep you updated on the AOA's SPV advocacy efforts and resources but also help the AOA identify opportunities for you to get involved in promoting SPV on local, state and federal levels.