Are there special sports ophthalmologists who check eyesight for the sport a person plays?
NOV 07, 2016
Question:
Are there special sports ophthalmologists who check eyesight for the sport a person plays? For example, I play tennis. Are there doctors who can evaluate my eyesight as it relates to tennis and then prescribe me glasses?
Answer:
Yes, there are some ophthalmologists and optometrists who consider themselves “sports eye doctors.” This is a pretty new concept and is not yet fully accepted or certified as a separate sub-specialty of vision care by the national organizations of eye doctors.
All optometrists and ophthalmologists examine the eye for best possible vision and eye health. There are issues of vision correction that can impact sporting activities such as the power of the prescription that might be improved with contact lenses instead of eyeglasses. In a normalized visual system, the visual perception and needed response to a speeding ball or similar sport challenge is a function of the brain and nerve conduction so long as the proper glasses or contact lenses are provided. Most ophthalmologists and optometrists can provide that for you.