August 13, 2024

Sports Vision Training for Boxing

Eyes Are Vital in Boxing Few sports rely on strong vision and visual skills as much as boxing - not only for success, but for survival. Swing and miss on a curveball? That's just one…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Eyes Are Vital in Boxing

Few sports rely on strong vision and visual skills as much as boxing – not only for success, but for survival. Swing and miss on a curveball? That’s just one strike. Don’t anticipate a right cross to the noggin, and you’re down for the count – or worse.

But even that right cross is only one of the myriad signals that boxers must visually account for during a match. On offence, a boxer constantly sizes up an opponent, seeking information on weaknesses to exploit. On defence, a boxer must closely observe an opponent’s every move, gesture, and muscle twitch to gauge danger, recognize feints, and prepare protection.

Having 20/20 vision is an advantage for a boxer, but having less-than-stellar visual skills can erase this advantage.

Boxing’s Visual Skills

boxing

Improving your performance and safety in the ring requires more than peak physical fitness, eyesight, strength, training, and smart nutrition. It requires superb visual skills: the ability of the eyes and brain to work together to block a punch or time your jab.

Visual skills consistently employed in boxing include:

  • focus
  • timing
  • hand-eye coordination: the eyes and body working in tandem to execute a move
  • depth perception: understanding how far away something is, like a clenched fist
  • eye mobility: tracking an opponent?s every move
  • peripheral vision: seeing to each side while looking straight ahead
  • visualization: envisioning success

At Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy we will create a customized program to hone the visual skills you need most to succeed as a boxer. One visual-skill exercise that’s well known to boxers is gazing straight ahead while bobbing one’s head back and forth in a vertical U shape to simulate ducking an opponent’s punches to the head. We will work with you in the office to improve these visual skills, then provide exercises to help you develop visual skills at home.

If you box, first visit Opto-Mization for a thorough examination to ensure that your eyesight accords with the rigours of the sport and for us to evaluate your visual skills.

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

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 265 Reviews
Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
4.9
Out of 59 Reviews

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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.