August 13, 2024

Play Soccer? Why You Should Improve Visual Processing Speed and Eye-Body Coordination

Soccer is a fast-moving sport that requires finely-tuned visual skills and quick reaction time. So when you follow a training regimen, don?t forget to get your vision in shape, too. Sports vision training helps athletes…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Men Playing SoccerSoccer is a fast-moving sport that requires finely-tuned visual skills and quick reaction time. So when you follow a training regimen, don?t forget to get your vision in shape, too.

Sports vision training helps athletes of every age and ability hone the visual skills they need to succeed in their favorite sports.

How to Improve Visual Skills for Soccer

Soccer success requires not only muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance but sharp visual skills that include:

  • Visual processing speed
  • Eye-body coordination
  • Peripheral vision
  • Depth perception
  • Focus

Why Is Visual Processing Speed Important for Soccer?

One reason soccer is such a popular sport worldwide is that it?s exciting and action-packed. Everything in a soccer game happens so fast, that a spectator could literally blink and miss a goal.

Soccer players need to be constantly aware of what?s happening on the field. The faster your brain can process the information your eyes are sending, the more time you have to react. The difference may be a fraction of a second, but in soccer?every second counts.

The Role of Eye-Body Coordination in Soccer

Your body can be in top-notch condition, but without a high level of eye-body coordination that enables your eyes, brain and limbs to communicate at split-second speeds, you won?t be able to block the ball or score a goal. A training regimen that includes building eye-body coordination skills is certain to improve your soccer game.

What Is Sports Vision Training?

Sports Vision Training is a customized program that enables athletes of all levels to improve their visual skills through in-office and at-home eye exercises. The beauty of this training program is that it can fit right into your workout and game schedule. The program is designed just for you, so you can focus on the skills you need to develop to become a better soccer player.

Schedule an appointment at Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria to get a full visual evaluation. We’ll test your current visual skills, identify any deficits and design a sports vision therapy program tailored to your specific needs and abilities. you with a customized program to improve any lagging visual skills.

Want to learn more? Contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance today and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Scott Irvine, O.D.

Q: Can sports vision training really improve my soccer performance?

  • A: About 80% of sports performance depends on visual processing and reacting to visual stimuli. After just weeks of sports vision training, many athletes report a marked improvement in their performance. Building visual skills, just like developing muscular strength, plays a crucial role in athletic training.

Q: Which at-home vision training exercises can improve my soccer game?

  • A: As part of a sports vision training program, our experts will prescribe a program of exercises that you can do at the clinic and at home. Some exercises you can do at home include:- For focus flexibility, focus on a close-up object and then focus on another object directly behind it and farther away.
    – For peripheral vision, stand at an intersection, look straight ahead, and check whether you can see cars using only your side vision.
    – For depth perception, hold a straw with one hand extended at arm?s length and drop a small pebble through it with your other hand. While these exercises will give you a general idea of the visual skills you use every day, nothing can replace a comprehensive exam that assesses your visual skill and sports vision training. Speak to us at Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance for your custom-designed sports vision training program.

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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
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Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
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  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.