Oh my! Who knew there was so much to a sportswear lens? I am not an elite athlete, so I’ve never been in a position to know that my eyewear could mean the difference between winning a race, hitting a hole-in-one, or digging a sweet hit out of the sand. But it can and it does. The science and technology behind what each lens can do for the athlete’s vision is amazing.
I recently attended an employee brownbag to learn about Nike Vision lenses. Among other things, they demonstrated how and why the different technologies are important to an athlete’s success: the lens, tint, weight, temple, shape, and more. They all work together to create superior and intensely clear line of vision for athletes around the world and in every sport.
Experiencing Nike this way got me pumped not just to pay closer attention to how I see while participating in activities, but it also lit a fire bringing out my inner athlete. Like Nike says, “if you have a body, you’re an athlete.” I better get to it. I wonder how it will change my game and what I’ve really been missing.
The San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval underwent laser surgery on his left eye today. He had tried contact lenses and sports eyewear, but found them disruptive, according to the full article.
If your company offers VSP Vision Care, you should be aware of the creative options available when using the materials (lens and frame) portion of your benefit. I’m here to tell you it goes beyond your everyday glasses. There are a variety of prescription needs that can be addressed by changing your mindset about what your benefits can do for you. For example, let’s say your prescription hasn’t changed, your everyday pair of glasses are in great shape and you still love the style…yet you wish you could get:
Sunwear – cut down on squinting and harmful UVA/UVB rays by opting for prescription sunglasses.
Computer glasses – help reduce eyestrain while using computers and other digital devices with a mild prescription which can help combat symptoms of computer vision syndrome.
Sports glasses – stay on top of your game and keep your eyes safe with prescription sports goggles or wrap around styles rated for sports play.
Safety glasses – maybe you do a little wood work, welding or serious gardening in your spare time and need to protect those peepers with a pair safety glasses.
And the list goes on. Talk with your VSP doctor and get creative with your lens and frame benefits through your VSP plan. Wishes do come true! And don’t forget–you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) dollars for prescription eyewear.
This past week, Tyreke Evans took a weeklong tour in Hawaii with the USO to show support for the troops. Tyreke joined seven other top names in basketball—Derrick Rose, D.J. Augustin, Al Horford, Robin Lopez, Brook Lopez, JaVale McGee, and Mike Miller—on the tour. Throughout the week, the stars led basketball clinics for children, toured military facilities, and played one-on-one with service members. The players also faced off in two intense games, with Tyreke scoring the winning point in one of them! I talked with Tyreke just after he returned and asked him a few questions about his experience.
Why did you get involved with the USO Hoops for Troops? I got involved to support the troops and families who give up so much for the freedom we enjoy.
Tyreke jumps to make a shot during one of the USO games. Photo courtesy of the USO.
What was your favorite part of the trip? I liked talking to the troops about their war experiences. Most of the guys I talked to were around my age.
How did you like playing in the basketball games while you were there? It was an honor to perform for our troops.
I saw some pictures of the players trying on military gear. What were you doing? We played a simulated game at the barracks. Brook Lopez put on the armor piercing suit and got bit by the attack dog like they do in training.
Did you get to meet anyone in particular that stood out? One of the wives told me that I was her husband’s favorite player. I played basketball with their son at the kids’ clinic, and she said her husband was currently stationed overseas and would be happy to hear about this.
What was the overall experience like for you?
I was a baby when my brother, Doc, served in Desert Storm. This made me appreciate him even more now that I’m older and understand what these troops do for the love of our country.
Check out some more photos from the event below.
Tyreke gathers with troops and other players while in Hawaii. Photo courtesy of the USO.
Tyreke and other NBA stars hold a basketball clinic for children. Photo courtesy of the USO.
Tyreke and the other NBA players gather around a tank. Photo courtesy of the USO.
The children practice drills during a basketball clinic.
Tyreke signs autographs at one of the USO games.
For more information about the USO, to learn more about Hoops for Troops, or to see more photos of the tour, visit the USO homepage.
About Tyreke Evans and VSP Vision Care: VSP Vision Care is proud to be the exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider for Tyreke Evans. Tyreke plays professional basketball for the Sacramento Kings and was named 2010 Rookie of the Year. He’s the fourth rookie ever to average 20 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game. The only other players to accomplish this were Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Not only is good vision a critical component for being successful in sports, it’s also an important part of every day life. Be sure to follow VSP Vision Care on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with Tyreke’s Activities.
While you’re watching the 2011 World Series, keep this in mind: many professional baseball players have vision that is two times better than average. Of course that doesn’t apply for St. Luis Cardinals Pitcher Jason Motte, who is very nearsighted, but it applies to many others. Learn how baseball players, and many other athletes including NBA star Tyreke Evans, improve their sports vision in this Better Health article.
When the World Series starts tonight, keep your eyes on St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jason Motte. Why? Motte isn’t blind, but his nearsightedness is so severe that he often squints on the mound to see what signs his catcher is showing him. Motte has tried prescription eyewear (as pictured), but has found the challenges they present greater than those presented by his nearsightedness. So, Motte has decided to take to the mound without any vision assistance, and, judging by this Yahoo! Sports article, it seems to be working.
The World Series will be played between the Cardinals and the Texas Rangers, with Game 1 tonight in St. Louis at 8:05 p.m. (ET).
When Phil Southerland was a baby, his parents were told his diabetes would make him blind. They were also told he would likely not live past the age of 25. Phil said he has never let diabetes determine what he could do with his life; he just made the necessary adjustments.
“I get regular eye exams to make sure my diabetes hasn’t affected the blood vessels in my eyes. I know it’s really important, and I want to keep the great vision that I have.”
Now 29, Phil uses exercise, diet and insulin to manage his diabetes and is thriving. He is the founder and CEO of Team Type 1, an organization committed to educating and empowering people with diabetes worldwide.
VSP® Vision Care is proud to be the exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider for Team Type 1. For more information about eyecare for people with diabetes, visit the Diabetes Discovery Center.
Vladimir Efimkin leads teammate Rubens Bertogliati into a breakaway on stage four at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
Team Type 1 has been cycling through Colorado competing in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. While racing hundreds of miles in often extremely sunny conditions, sunwear becomes crucial to protecting the riders’ vision as well as to enabling their top performance. The team wears Nike Vision sunglasses to reduce glare and keep the sun out of their eyes so they can relax their eyes and focus on the race. The team also has extra interchangeable lenses, which they can quickly swap out as the light conditions change, to ensure they always see their best.
In the sunny fourth stage of the race, Vladimir Efimkin paced ahead of the group and took home the Most Courageous jersey. Efimkin is a Tour de France stage winner who retired last year and returned to professional racing in August.
“I’m feeling better and better every day. This race has been a great place to come back to cycling and find my legs,” Efimkin said.
About Team Type 1 and VSP Vision Care
Team Type 1 is a group of athletes affected by diabetes. The team includes professional race teams, a triathlon team and a development team. Team Type 1 strives to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. VSP® Vision Care is proud to be their exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider.
To learn more about the importance of routine vision care, particularly related to diabetes, visit VSP’s Diabetes Discovery Center.
To learn more about Nike Vision eyewear, visit nikevision.com.
If you’re a runner, you know the strain both your body and eyes endure on long-distance runs. So does Nike Vision. That’s why Nike sunwear, in prescription and non-prescription, offers the patented Nike MAX Speed Tint™, engineered for runners facing both direct sunlight and the harsh light reflected off asphalt. When you run, you focus your eyes on a single spot for extended stretches, so the Nike MAX Speed Tint is scientifically tuned to relax your eyes and body and enhance your run.
Exclusive to VSP Members
As a VSP member, you can use your benefit towards prescription Nike sunwear. Interested in adding the Nike MAX Speed Tint? Just talk to your VSP doctor.
About Nike Eyewear
Nike eyewear is superior and trusted by the best athletes in the world. Why? Because Nike has developed proprietary technology that allows athletes to see their sport better, such as:
Nike Max Optics: virtually distortion-free optics
Nike lens tints: specially tuned for specific sports to provide maximum performance
Nike eyewear’s fit and function: based on work with elite athletes to gauge their sport needs.
Find out more about Nike Eyewear
Visit The Center at vsp.com for more information and to view the different styles for both men and women.
Tyreke Evans is upping his game…and this time, it’s off the court. He stars in the final episode of VSP EyeFiles Season 2, which you can watch below or on our Facebook page. A big fan of 3D, Evans knows that as much as a third of the population experiences discomfort or “vision sickness” while watching 3D and that a smaller group of the population has trouble seeing 3D at all. Symptoms can include nausea, headaches, and eye strain. But did you know that those symptoms may signal an undiagnosed vision problem?
Whether you’re watching a game on ESPN 3D or watching Avatar, be sure to make an appointment with your eye doctor if you or your children have difficulty watching 3D content. Your eye doctor can often treat and correct these eye conditions, but the earlier they are addressed, the better. Learn more by watching the video clip, and enter to win a 3D prize pack for four!
About Tyreke Evans and VSP Vision Care
VSP Vision Care is proud to be the exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider for Tyreke Evans. Tyreke plays professional basketball for the Sacramento Kings and was named 2010 Rookie of the Year. He’s the fourth rookie ever to average 20 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game. The only other players to accomplish this were Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Not only is good vision a critical component for being successful in sports, it’s also an important part of every day life. Be sure to follow VSP Vision Care on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with Tyreke’s Activities.
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