Sports Optometry (Online Course)

To be offered in Spring 2024

2 credits (3 ECTS Credits)

For registration click here

Help your patients See Better, Practice Smarter, and Play to Win 
 

Sports optometry is a specialized field dedicated to enhancing the visual capabilities of athletes.

Sports vision goes beyond seeing clearly: it focuses on visual attention, direction, distance,  spatial awareness, eye-hand coordination, depth perception, visual processing speed, and reaction time to ensureoptimal performance on the field, court, or track.

Optometrists play an essential role in the success of athletes by identifying visual deficits, understanding how these deficits affect performance, and integrating targeted training activities to optimize visual responses, ultimately elevating their athletic ability.

Topics

•    Introduction to Sports Optometry
•    Visual task analysis in sports
•    Visual information processing
•    Visual performance
•    Sports vision screening
•    Prescribing athletes
•    Enhancement (vision therapy)
•    Concussion and ocular injuries in sports
•    Practice development

Course Structure

26 hours of content with 3 live Zoom sessions 
May 7th 
June 4th 
July 2nd 

Assessment

•    80% attendance during lectures

• Short quizzes to check understanding after every lecture

• Final exam for those wanting academic credit

Lecturers

Dr. Cathy Stern 

Dr. Cathy Stern, OD, FCOVD, FCSO, FNORA is a behavioral and neuro optometrist near Boston in the USA. Her practice has been devoted to vision therapy, myopia control, and vision rehabilitation. She is currently a consultant optometrist at Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, Senior Advisor for Envision Research Institute for people with visual impairment, Research director and Trustee of the College of Syntonic Optometry (CSO), Treasurer of the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF) and a member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) Fellowship Committee. Dr. Stern teaches optometrists worldwide and is passionate about vision therapy, vision rehabilitation, optometric phototherapy, sports vision, and the use of assistive technology. Dr. Stern believes the eyes and vision are key players in prevention, enhancement, and rehabilitation for lifelong success.

Dr. Daniel Laby

Dr. Laby is an Ophthalmologist specializing in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus as well as Sports Vision, and a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the Royal Academy of Medicine (UK). Former Associate Clinical Professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry,  former Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Harvard Medical School, Dr. Laby was a staff ophthalmologist for several professional sports teams including MLB, NHL, NBA, and medal-winning teams at the Beijing and Tokyo Olympic games. He has authored many journal articles, textbook chapters, and is the co-author of the Dictionary of Ophthalmology, and recently published EYE OF THE CHAMPION a guide for sports vision. 

Mr. Daniel Waller 

Mr. Daniel Waller has been working in private practice in the UK and abroad since getting his qualification in 1993. He specializes in contact lenses, low vision and pediatric optometry. Furthermore, Mr. Daniel Waller practices specialist vision training for athletes of all abilities, ranging from International, Premier League soccer and International Rugby Union and club players, County and Test Cricketer, Golfers of all abilities to the occasional weekend athlete. He also serves as an Optometrist for the Paralympics.

Cost of registration: 1420 ILS (approximately 385$). 

Please note: All prices are in Israeli Shekels (ILS).

Click here to register for the course

For registration assistance, please contact:  international@hac.ac.il

For more information
Please contact:
Program Director: Dr. Liat Gantz
Program Administrator: Ms. Alisa Gania
Department Chairperson: Dr. Hadas Ben Eli