DON'T "OVERLOOK" THE KEY TO VICTORY

"Visual fitness is just as important as physical fitness," says Dr. James Sawyer, Chairman of the Kentucky Optometric Foundation. Vision skills and your performance while playing such sports as baseball and golf are dependent upon one another. If your game isn't "up to par" your eyesight could make the difference.

Visual fitness starts with recognizing what skills you have to have to succeed in your sport. Some vision factors necessary include:

1.	Visual Acuity (ability to clearly see moving objects and players)
2.	Vision Pursuit (ability to follow moving objects or players accurately)
3.	Depth perception (ability to quickly and accurately judge the distance and speed of objects or players.)
4.	Eye/Hand/Body Coordination

Dr. Sawyer also indicated that constant mis-hits of the ball, or throwing off target when aiming can be a sign that your eye/hand/body coordination is off track.

These are just a few of the skills that can be factors in the performance of your game. So, if you think your problem may not be with your skill to play the game, but, rather your ability to see the game, then consult your optometrist before the coach consults you.

A regular eye examination can help detect other factors that may need improving and at the same time enrich your overall performance. The next time your favorite sports hero seems to be in a slump - you might suggest an eye examination.

Hunting and Vision

Each year an estimated 400 hunters die as a result of an accident. In addition, 2,400 are injured and thousands of domestic animals are unintentionally killed. A key component in these deaths and injuries is poor vision.

Hunters decide when to pull the trigger based on what they see or what they think they see. If the hunter's vision is blurred or if he or she suffers from another vision ailment such as faulty depth perception, "tunnel" vision, or the inability to distinguish color, then the prey becomes less apparent and is not as easy to target.

Many times hunters who have prescription glasses set them aside when hunting because they claim they get in the way. This causes the hunter to become more susceptible to an accident or to be the reason behind an accident due to their now limited vision capacities.

Every hunter should have a professional eye examination at least once a year. During their exam, hunting activities should be discussed in relation to the hunter's vision needs. A hunter should be able to distinguish detail at a considerable distance, see comfortably under a variety of weather and light conditions, detect objects and movements on either side of the target, judge distance with speed and accuracy, focus clearly close up and at a distance, be able to switch focus within a matter of seconds, and be able to distinguish colors properly. If a hunter lacks the ability to perform any of the previously listed functions, then an eye exam should definitely occur prior to hunting.

Most vision problems can be corrected so there is generally no need to give up hunting. So, enjoy the sport of hunting and keep your vision up-to-date to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. Generally, the better your vision, the more game you will obtain.