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Optometric trends in sports vision: knowledge, utilization, and practitioner role expansion potential
Journal of the American Optometric Association
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Sports vision offers growing opportunities for optometrists, with increased use of soft contact lenses and vision training. However, collegiate and professional sports still need more vision care services.
Area of Science:
- Sports Vision
- Optometry
Background:
- Sports vision is an emerging and expanding field within optometry.
- It has garnered significant interest from optometrists and sports organizations across all levels of competition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current landscape and perceived opportunities in sports vision.
- To evaluate the utilization of sports vision services and technologies in collegiate and professional sports.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 473 optometrists was conducted.
- Data was compared to previous surveys from 1980 and 1983.
- College and professional sports teams were also surveyed.
Main Results:
- Optometrists perceive increased opportunities in sports vision.
- Soft contact lenses are preferred over rigid lenses.
- Nearly half of surveyed optometrists utilize vision training.
- Collegiate and professional sports show greater acceptance of sports vision services.
Conclusions:
- Significant advancements in sports vision utilization and acceptance have occurred globally since the American Optometric Association Sports Vision Section (AOA-SVS) was established.
- Despite progress, there remains an unmet demand for vision care and screening at the collegiate and professional sports levels.