Table 2 Eye examination history, refractive correction worn (including when playing), and refractive/other visual conditions identified
From: Vision and Visual History in Elite/Near-Elite-Level Cricketers and Rugby-League Players
Group | Last eye examination | Wears specs or CLs? | Wears specs or CLs while playing? | Refractive error corrected by specs or CLs | Number (%) where residual visual issues were identified | Details of residual issues identified | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Within 2 years | 2–5 years | 5+ years or never | ||||||
Elite cricketers (n = 16) | 11 (69%) | 4 (25%) | 1 (6%) | Neither: 8 (50%) Spectacles only: 3 (19%) CLs only: 2 (12%) Both: 3 (19%) | 6 (38%) [5 of the 6 wear CL during play] | Of the 8 (50%) with refractive correction, 5 are primarily wearing correction for myopia, 2 for astigmatism, and 1 for hypermetropia | 3 (18.8%) | 2 of those who have spectacles (for mild myopia and astigmatism correction) do not wear these during play and do not wear contact lenses. In 1 other individual, vision was reduced due to myopia for which no correction was worn (spectacles or contact lenses). Aside from these uncorrected refractive error cases, there were no other residual visual issues that could affect play. |
Rugby-league players (n = 20) | 14 (70%) | 3 (15%) | 3 (15%) | Neither: 18 (90%) Spectacles only: 2 (10%) CLs only: 0 (0%) Both: 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | Of the 2 players (10%) with refractive correction (spectacles), both are primarily worn for the correction for myopia. | 5 (25%) | Neither of the 2 spectacle wearers have contact lenses; hence, no refractive correction is worn by them during play. In 1 other individual, vision was reduced due to myopia for which no correction was worn (spectacles or contact lenses). The remaining 2 visual issues are binocular vision issues. Neither of these were previously diagnosed [i.e. participant unaware]; 1 (convergence insufficiency) is potentially treatable, while the other (ocular motility disorder) is not. The extent to which they would affect vision during play is uncertain. |
Near-elite cricketers (n = 23) | 12 (52.2%) | 4 (17.4%) | 7 (30.4%) | Neither: 19/23 (82.6%) Spectacles only: 0/23 (0%) CLs only: 0/23 (0%) Both: 4/23 (17.4%) | 4 (17.4%) [all 4 wear CL during play] | Of the 4 (17.4%) with refractive correction, 2 are primarily wearing correction for myopia and 2 for hypermetropia. | 8 (35%) | 6 of the eight cases are refractive in origin (5 where no refractive correction is worn, 1 where only a partial correction is worn). The remaining 2 cases had (a) an ocular disease (macular dystrophy, diagnosed, not treatable, likely to have substantial impact on vision on the field) and (b) a binocular vision issue (convergence insufficiency, potentially treatable, not previously diagnosed, uncertain impact on vision on the field). |