Abstract
Purpose: :
To study monochromatic aberrations distribution, contrast sensitivity and spatial visual strategies in a population of international junior French tennis players with a non corrected monocular visual acuity of 20/20.
Methods: :
The top 9 international junior french tennis players (range 12–14 yo) with monocular visual acuity superior or equal to 20/20 (determined with a Landolt rings chart) were examined and compared to 25 amateur junior tennis players. Sphere measurement was inferior to 0,5 Diopter and astigmatism less than 0,75 Diopter. An Imagine Eyes irx3 wavefront aberrometer was used and 3 measurements were performed with and without dilation (5% Neosynephrin). Spatial visual strategies were studied using a prototype equipment from Essilor® (94227 CHARENTON, France).
Results: :
Compared to amateur tennis players of the same age, the global level of ocular aberrations (total RMS) in intenational tennis players population is low. There seems to be a correlation between both eyes for spherical aberration, astigmatisms with mirror symmetry (enantiomorphism) and for aberrations with oblique variation axis (Coma 0, Trefoil O). Spherical aberration is the most common aberration observed in this specific population with a natural "Super Vision". It might play a role in improving retinal image quality. Measured contrast sensitivity is higher in the professional tennis players group. This group also demonstrate specific visual strategies privileging eyes movements to head movements.
Conclusions: :
The good visual performances and sport abilities of these subjects seem correlated with less ocular aberrations and specific visual strategies. This natural supervision may be particularly essential for indoor conditions. Associations of selected ocular aberrations might even be beneficial. This preliminary study may help define new standards for specific sport aptitudes.
Keywords: contrast sensitivity • visual acuity • eye movements: recording techniques