VISUAL AWARENESS AMONGST MALAYSIAN ATHLETES INTRODUCTION Athletes’ visual wellness were often neglected, if not were given the least priority in sports. According to the Vision Care Institute of Johnson and Johnson Medical Ltd (2008), visual component does indeed influence sports performances. An uncorrected refractive error can result in a reduced visual acuity (Zeri et al, 2011). According to Beckerman and Hitzeman (2010), 25% of their studied population involving the elite athletes never had a complete eye examination. Twenty-nine percent reported to having experienced visual symptoms whereby 28% found to have habitual visual acuity lesser than 6/7.5 Snellen acuity. It was noted that the use of protective eyewear were often neglected during participating sports activity. Authors in their study concluded that there is a need for eye care services for all athletes. An annual comprehensive eye examination on athletes that follow the sports vision evaluation protocols may be used as a guideline by eye care practitioners. …show more content…
Answered questionnaire could give an insight towards athletes’ ocular and visual characteristics as well as their attitude and awareness towards vision. It was suggested that reason for the lack of visual awareness among athletes were because optometrist aren’t reaching out to them. Coaches, physical education teachers and sports physicians agree that an uncorrected visual acuity must be corrected for athletes to perform in sports (Zeri et al, 2011). In recent years, increasing numbers of studies related to vision and sports were noted especially in the Olympic countries. Athletes’ in general had also reported having recognized the importance of vision. Thus, there should be a medium which optometrists could convey the importance of vision in sports. MATERIALS AND