Does your child give it their all in sports but still seem a step behind? You’ve checked the gear, encouraged the practice, and maybe even hired a coach. But there’s one more factor you may not have considered—vision. Specifically, the connection between myopia and sports performance could be the key to unlocking your child’s potential.
At Navigation Eye Care in Chesapeake, we help families understand how vision shapes everything from catching a ball to judging distance on the field. The good news is, with the right support, your young athlete can compete with confidence.
Visual Needs in Different Sports
Each sport places unique demands on the eyes. Basketball players need sharp peripheral vision. Soccer players must track moving objects from long distances. Gymnasts rely on spatial awareness and balance. And every single athlete depends on accurate depth perception.
Here’s how vision skills matter in common youth sports:
- Baseball/Softball: Fast reaction time, distance focus, hand-eye coordination
- Basketball: Peripheral awareness, focus switching, spatial judgment
- Soccer: Depth perception, distance tracking, timing movements
- Gymnastics or Dance: Body control, balance, visual orientation
When myopia goes uncorrected or poorly managed, these skills can be compromised—making it harder for your child to perform their best.
How Myopia Affects Depth Perception
Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes distant objects to appear blurry. This impacts more than just seeing the scoreboard or reading a coach’s hand signals. It also affects depth perception, which is critical for timing and coordination.
Kids and teens with unmanaged myopia may:
- Misjudge distances between themselves and a ball or opponent
- Struggle with catching, passing, or dodging
- Seem clumsy or off-balance
- Feel discouraged or frustrated even when they try hard
At Navigation Eye Care, we understand that poor vision doesn’t just hurt performance—it can hurt confidence. That’s why we don’t just correct vision; we help build visual strength that supports athletic success.
Solutions for Athletes with Myopia
Thankfully, there are several solutions to support young athletes with myopia. At Navigation Eye Care, we customize care plans that help kids play sharper and safer.
Here are a few effective options:
- MiSight lenses – Specially designed contact lenses that can slow myopia progression while giving clear, comfortable vision during play
- Sports vision therapy – Customized activities that train visual focus, tracking, and coordination
- Lightweight sports-friendly frames or contact lenses – Great for impact-heavy or high-motion sports
- Regular eye exams – So prescriptions stay up to date and vision stays crystal clear
No two athletes are the same. That’s why we take time to listen, evaluate, and build a plan that fits both your child’s eyes and their game.
Let Navigation Eye Care Support Your Athlete
Whether your child dreams of making varsity or just wants to enjoy playing with friends, their vision matters. At Navigation Eye Care, we help families understand the connection between myopia and sports performance, and we provide real solutions that make a difference.
Our team creates a warm, supportive environment where kids feel comfortable and parents feel empowered. We’re not just checking eyes—we’re helping build confidence, focus, and coordination that can lead to better performance on and off the field.
Book a Sports Vision Evaluation Today
If your child plays sports and has myopia, it’s time to give them a clear advantage. Schedule an exam with Navigation Eye Care in Chesapeake and ask how we can support your athlete’s vision and performance.
Call now or book online. Let’s get your young competitor seeing clearly and playing their best.