Quick Nine: Interview with Ophthalmologist Dr. Joseph Fishkin on Vision and Golf

Posted by doug

February 18, 2012

We strive to bring as much up-to-date and cutting edge golf information that we can to our readers. To that end, I recently interviewed renowned ophthalmologist, Joseph Fishkin, on vision and how it effects more than you know about your golf game (particularly as you get older).

As you know, clear vision is key to the sport of golf. However, when golfers reach age 45, an age-related vision condition sets in called presbyopia, making it difficult to focus from near to far. With impaired vision it’s hard to: read the green, line up with the ball, and putt with accuracy.

Until now, golfers have been using bifocals, trifocals or progressive glasses. However, with these lenses the region of sharp focus is limited to a small zone, making it hard to see the ball, pin and terrain clearly.

Let’s get started:

1. (Doug) What is the first thing a golfer may notice as their vision begins to change due to age?

(Dr. Fishkin) The first thing golfers tend to notice changes in their distance vision; this impacts their ability to track the ball and see where it goes once it’s hit. Many golfers also notice significant changes in their intermediate vision, which can make it difficult to line up for a shot. In the proper golf stance, the distance from the eyes to the ball is an intermediate distance, which presents a series of challenges in terms of proper focus.

2. (Doug) What age-related vision changes will most golfers start experiencing at 45?

(Dr. Fishkin) Typically, up until age 40 most golfers don’t experience many vision problems. Must golfers find that their single vision lenses, if necessary, are all they need for the sport. But, once we enter the 40s most of us start to experience a condition called presbyopia, which is a difficulty in seeing objects close-up.

We all have clear lenses inside our eyes. When we’re under age 40, our eyes are able to easily expand and contract this lens to allow us to focus on all distances. But, as we go through life this lens slowly becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus on objects up close. It’s typically at this point in life when vision issues start to impact golfers while they are playing. Unfortunately, this issue continues to get worse with age.

3. (Doug) How do age-related vision changes impact a golfer’s game?

(Dr. Fishkin) When preparing for a shot a golfer needs to be able to look off into the distance, down the fairway, and focus on the flag, which could be hundreds of yards away. A golfer needs to have a good sense of that distance for proper club selection and aiming. They also must get a good sense of the terrain. Good intermediate vision is necessary for lining up the shot. After the ball is hit, a golfer must be able to track the ball through the air.

Just like in many sports, hand-eye coordination is very important. If a golfer’s vision is not clear, it could throw off the timing and impact the swing. Near vision is important when a golfer is trying to read the green, to properly plan the putt. Finally, near vision is important to be able to comfortably read the score card.

4. (Doug) What specific needs do golfers have in terms of vision?

(Dr. Fishkin) Golfers have strict requirements for their distance, intermediate and near vision. They need to see clearly and be able to execute a good shot at many different distances.

5. (Doug) How important is UV vision protection out on the golf course?

(Dr. Fishkin) Every round of golf can involve hours of UV exposure. Constant exposure to bright sunlight can increase the risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye, including cancer. Whenever possible, wear glasses with UV protection.

6. (Doug) What vision/eye care trends are you seeing for golfers today?

(Dr. Fishkin) I see golfers coming to the realization that improving their vision can directly affect the quality of their game. They play better, and enjoy the sport more, when they wear glasses that maximize their vision for every stage of the game.

7. (Doug) What is the biggest complaint that you receive from your golfing patients about their vision?

(Dr. Fishkin) Golfers are a group of patients who want the very best vision possible, and most golfers seek out help from their eye doctors as soon as they notice their vision changing.

I often treat golfers who have been wearing bifocals or progressive glasses. For those wearing bifocals there is a line on the glasses which separates two zones (distance and up close). With progressives, there is no visible line, but the focus of the glasses gradually changes from the top of the lens to the bottom.

With both of these glasses, golfers tend to have difficulties with focusing in an intermediate distance. With bifocals, there really is no intermediate distance. With progressives, golfers must tilt their head to find the proper intermediate distance. Unfortunately, this position can throws off a proper swing.

8. (Doug) What area of the sport do golfers tend to have the most difficulty with due to vision changes?

(Dr. Fishkin) The intermediate range seems to cause the most problems for golfers.

9. (Doug) What solutions work for your golfing patients who are coping with age-related vision changes?

There are many ways to address these vision changes: glasses, contact lenses, laser corrective surgery and cataract surgery. In terms of the glasses option, I mentioned that bifocals and progressives have inherent problems for golfers. Superfocus glasses are adjustable-focus, meaning that a golfer can adjust the glasses to have clear vision at any distance (distance, intermediate and close up).

You can set the entire lens of the glasses to see the mid-range clearly. With Superfocus glasses there are actually two lenses, one flexible and one firm. Built into the glasses is a slider mechanism, which a golfer can use to adjust the focus of the glasses, bringing the whole field of view into clear focus.

To learn more about Superfocus for golfers visit: Superfocus.com