vision@sports initiative to promote the best possible vision in elite and popular sport - eye screening for players of the German Football Association

Around 80 per cent of human perception takes place via the eye and around 95 per cent of movements are controlled and coordinated by the eye. Great attention should therefore be paid to the eye and the optimisation of vision, especially in sport, which thrives on movement. The aim of this vision@sports initiative is both to educate and raise awareness among the target groups concerned (associations, athletes, the public, media, opinion leaders, etc.) and to optimise the treatment and correction of visual defects in competitive and elite athletes by means of contact lenses and/or other corrective measures.

Visual performance (static visual acuity) is often tested during the eye test. In addition to this purely static visual performance of how well visual signs can be read, far more visual abilities are decisive in sport.

Especially in ball sports, but also in rebound sports (tennis, badminton, table tennis...), the perception of movement, the assessment of space and depth, but also contrast and colour perception are extremely important in order to be able to act and react in good time. The research group has developed a special "visual circuit" to determine the visual performance parameters, which is made up of sport-specific tests. In addition to the well-known static visual acuity, dynamic visual acuity, contrast and colour vision, visual functions such as accommodation (distance adjustment of the eyes), hand-eye coordination, gaze and visual field measurement are also taken into account in this "visual circle". A general eye examination as well as a presentation and, if necessary, testing of the various correction options can also be offered. Special visual training techniques can bring about additional improvements in some visual areas.

Various professional teams as well as individual athletes have been examined since 2004. For example, the German national handball team was examined in 2008 and the German national women's football team and the U17 and U21 men's national teams in 2011, 2012 and 2014. Each squad consisted of around thirty professional footballers and the football coaching team. A wide range of examinations were also carried out in winter sports, e.g. for the national biathlon team.

The test results of the athletes confirm the forecasts: the vision circle revealed considerable potential for optimisation. Over 30% of the athletes were able to achieve massive improvements in their visual performance. Sixteen athletes were able to improve their visual performance by one level, five athletes by two levels and four athletes by three levels. Some athletes were fitted with contact lenses for the first time, which were trialled in the tolerance test and during training and were rated positively by wearers and fitters.

For existing lens wearers, the test also revealed considerable potential for optimisation, for example through the use of special contact lenses, such as toric geometries. This can significantly improve contrast vision, which is very important in football. One player was found to have uncorrectable colour vision deficiencies. Occasionally, there were deficiencies in accommodation flexibility and delays in ocular motor skills. In several cases, artificial tears were recommended due to dry eyes.

These visual optimisation measures are very important, not only to achieve top results, but also to prevent the risk of accidents caused by poor vision. This is a small piece of the mosaic to be taken very seriously in the professional care of top athletes. But good vision is also important in popular sports. The vision circles organised with the DFB are also to be addressed in popular sport through on-site campaigns.

The vision@sports initiative will now develop measures and implement them with local opticians and sports clubs, utilising the experience from the professional sector and their positive evaluations. In addition, thanks to its popularity and widespread impact, football should act as a role model for this educational work. In addition to providing information and raising awareness on the topic of good vision, the optimal treatment and correction of visual impairments in affected athletes is of course particularly important.