How do you exercise if you have poor eyesight?

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people worldwide live with visual impairments, including nearsightedness and farsightedness. But is this considered a contraindication to sports? And how to train properly if you have to wear glasses?

ophthalmologist

If you have poor eyesight, then before you start training, you need to visit an ophthalmologist. In general, you should do this on a regular basis once a year.

What to pay attention to when exercising if you have poor eyesight?

Even those who have no problems should have their eyes checked periodically. And if you do have problems, you should have an eye examination before you start practicing. The same applies to game and impact sports, yoga (if you are going to use “inverted” asanas).

Natalia Voroshilova

ophthalmologist

Examination is necessary to prevent retinal detachment in case there are weak spots in its periphery. Peripheral dystrophies can form at the edges of the retina. This is the name given to areas of thinning that can tear under impact or heavy strain. Tears, in turn, can provoke retinal detachments: intraocular fluid begins to flow under the retina through the tears.

Retinal detachment is a disease that can lead to blindness. It is treated surgically. And not always the surgery gives a good functional result, i.e. restores vision up to 100%.

How can’t I exercise with poor eyesight?

For those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma, strength training and inverted yoga poses are not recommended. If you are visually impaired and have an ophthalmologic diagnosis, moderate aerobic exercise will be beneficial in most cases. But heavy loads (e.g. weightlifting) and training where there is a risk of impact (e.g. boxing, game sports) are contraindicated.

Natalia Voroshilova

ophthalmologist

For example, in basketball, where there are many players and a high risk of collision, there is a risk of brain injury or a blow to the eye. And this can significantly aggravate the condition of vision.

What means for vision correction is better to use at trainings?

Those wishing to practice sports with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, etc. should pay attention to night lenses. These are special rigid lenses that are worn before going to bed. The lens as if forms the eye so as to “adjust” the defects and restore vision. As a result, the morning a person can see clearly without glasses and contact lenses.

Natalia Voroshilova

ophthalmologist

Night lenses are especially indicated for athletes. For example, contact lenses are not recommended to contact with water, which means that they are not suitable for swimmers. With goggles, swimming and doing activities are not comfortable at all. Of course, even during strength training, contact lenses will not fly out and will not be lost, but, for example, in the case of injury can aggravate the situation.

Also, you should not give up protective equipment in each particular sport. Where the equipment includes goggles, helmets, etc., it is mandatory to wear them.

In addition, in some cases, equipment not only protects against potential injuries, but also helps to improve the result.

Natalia Voroshilova

ophthalmologist

For example, special glasses with a color filter can be used when shooting. They increase contrast sensitivity and quality of vision in athletes and, as a result, improve performance.