Page 118 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition Jan-Feb 2020

whole are required for them to be ball and navigate how they'd reach
agile. These organs, along with the it. Dynamic Visual Acuity mentally
muscles, receive information from reduces the speed of swift movements
the eyes regarding when and how to for the brain to understand and
move, basically directing the timing as respond accordingly.
well as body control.
DEPTH PERCEPTION
PERIPHERAL VISION
One of the intrinsic visual
The visual expertise of recognising abilities is Depth Perception that
movements taking place at either helps a player accurately judge the
side of a person, without moving their distance between them and their VISUAL MEMORY
head, is called peripheral vision. This sports' equipment (racket, bat, ball, A sportsperson spends hours
awareness is extremely crucial for shuttlecock etc), the opponent(s), and practising their sport. The more they
every player as the anticipation of the the boundary lines. Players are also engage in it, the better they get at it.
activity around them helps in being conscious of the audience, referee/ This is because their Visual Memory
more proactive and dexterous in their umpire, and other helpers on the gets triggered and helps them make
actions. Without turning one’s head, field/court. Many players end up split-second decisions. With the
players can see where the ball is or making incorrect spatial judgments help of regular practice, the habit of
where other teammates are placed, where they over or underestimate the moving a certain way or responding
and at the same time, look ahead and distance between them and any of in a specific manner kicks in. A
be vigilant about their opponent(s). the aforementioned factors and that is player has got to practice a generous
DYNAMIC VISUAL ACUITY usually due to poor depth perception. number of times to be able to react
accordingly, and their competence in
This visual skill enables the player THE VISUAL EXPERTISE vision nudges them to design their
to see objects while they are moving. OF RECOGNISING next move.
There is a lot of commotion that MOVEMENTS TAKING
takes place on the field/court. Each PLACE AT EITHER SIDE There are a lot of actions
player is required to be aware of OF A PERSON, WITHOUT and reactions involved in every
their opponent's swift movements MOVING THEIR HEAD, sport. Visual skills help players
and observe where they throw the IS CALLED PERIPHERAL elevate the quality of their game.
VISION Ophthalmologists have a pivotal role

in helping players, even those who are
not involved in professional games, by
advising them regarding eye injuries.
Bruises of any degree can occur while
participating in physical games or
other such recreational activities.
Many safety gears are now available
for players, adults and children
alike, to protect them against visual
vulnerabilities and other eye injuries
that players are prone to. Be it lawn
tennis, football, cricket, volleyball or
basketball, among many other sports,
sportspeople can make the most of
their vision and even protect it to ace
their games.

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