Sports Vision — See Better, Perform Better

Vision drives athletic performance, yet it’s often overlooked. If your sports vision isn’t perfectly sharp, you are working harder than you need to. For over 30 years, Drummoyne Optometry has helped inner-west athletes see clearly and perform confidently.

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Call 02 9181 3157

Are Any of These Affecting Your Game?

You do not need to be struggling badly to benefit from a sports vision assessment. Sometimes the signs are subtle.

You misjudge the distance or speed of a ball more often than you would like

Tracking fast-moving objects feels harder than it used to

Your eyes feel strained or tired after training or competition

You are wearing standard glasses that do not sit securely during physical activity

Your current frames fog up, slide down, or simply are not built for sport

You play contact sport and are wearing glasses that could break or cause injury

You rely on contact lenses but find them uncomfortable or unreliable during exercise

You have a prescription but have been playing without correction because you could not find the right solution

Your child is struggling on the sporting field and you are not sure whether vision is part of the picture

Any of these is worth bringing up during your assessment. The right sports vision solution changes the experience of playing, and we are here to help you find it.

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Vision Demands That Vary by Sport

Different sports place very different demands on your eyes, and a one-size
solution rarely works across all of them. Understanding those
differences is central to what we do.

Cricket, Tennis, Football, Netball, Basketball

Tracking a fast-moving ball accurately requires sharp distance vision, precise depth perception, and strong eye coordination. Even a small prescription can affect your reaction time. Prescription sports glasses or contact lenses can make a measurable difference.

Swimming, Surf Lifesaving, Kayaking

Standard glasses are simply not compatible with water. Prescription sports goggles offer a practical, comfortable solution that stays secure and keeps your vision clear without the risks of contact lenses in open water.

Martial Arts and
Contact Sports

Safety is the primary concern here. Standard glasses are a genuine hazard in contact sport. Purpose-built prescription sports goggles and specialist impact-protection frames are the right solution.

Cycling and Motorsport

Distance clarity, peripheral vision, and protection from wind, dust, and UV are all critical. Prescription sports glasses with wraparound frames and impact-resistant lenses provide coverage standard frames cannot.

Golf

Depth perception, distance judgment, and reading subtle changes in terrain all rely on clear, accurate vision. Many golfers find addressing their prescription makes a noticeable difference, even when vision seemed close enough.

Young Athletes

Children who are active in sport with an uncorrected vision issue are at a disadvantage they may not even be aware of. A children’s eye test followed by a proper sports eyewear fitting can change their experience of sport significantly.

Drummoyne Optometry vs General Optometrists

What to Consider	Most Optometry Practices	Drummoyne Optometry
Years serving the local community	Varies by practice and location	Over 30 years caring for families in inner west Sydney
Practice model	Mix of independent and corporate-owned practices	Fully independent — recommendations are based on your needs, not sales targets
Children’s appointment style	Standard consultation timeframes	Appointments run at your child’s pace, with techniques adapted to their age and temperament
Medicare claiming	Available at most practices	Processed on the spot at every visit, no forms to submit yourself
Private health fund claiming	Available at many practices	HICAPS electronic claiming at every visit across all major funds
Children’s frames range	Good general selection at most practices	Dedicated No Gap children’s range plus quality and designer options under one roof
Sports eyewear for kids	Available on request at some practices	A specific focus area — sports glasses and contact lenses for young athletes of all levels
Prescription children’s sunglasses	Orderable at most practices	Stocked in-practice with full UV protection options ready to view and try
Contact lens supply	In-practice supply at most locations	In-practice fitting and supply plus online ordering with free home delivery
Continuity of care	Depends on staff availability and rostering	The same familiar team across visits — they know your child and your family history

Meet the Team

Our team brings together qualified optometrists and experienced optical dispensers
who care about getting things right for every person
who walks through our door

Ilan

Practising Optometry

Chantelle

Optometrist

Ivana

Optical Dispenser

Michele

Optical Dispenser

About Drummoyne Optometry

Over 30 Years Caring for This
Community

Drummoyne Optometry is an independent practice, and that makes a genuine difference to the experience you have here. Because we are not part of a corporate chain, every recommendation we make is based entirely on what is right for you. There are no sales targets, no quotas, and no pressure.

Over three decades, we have looked after individuals, families, and professionals across Drummoyne, Five Dock, Rozelle, Balmain, Concord, Leichhardt, and the wider inner-west Sydney community.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Do I need a separate sports vision assessment, or is a regular eye test enough?

A standard eye test measures your prescription and checks your eye health, both of which are important. A sports vision assessment goes further by looking at how your eyes perform under the specific demands of your sport, including depth perception, tracking, and peripheral vision. For many active patients, that additional information leads to a significantly better solution. If you are unsure which is right for you, call us and we will help you work it out before you book.

Are prescription sports glasses safe for contact sport?

Yes, and in fact they are far safer than standard glasses for contact sport. Prescription sports glasses and prescription sports goggles designed for contact sport use impact-resistant materials and secure fitting systems that standard frames do not. Playing contact sport in regular glasses carries a genuine risk of injury. If you or your child is currently doing that, please come and see us so we can find a safer and more practical solution.

Can I wear contact lenses for sport instead of glasses?

For many sports, contact lenses are an excellent choice. They provide a full, unrestricted field of vision, stay secure during movement, and work well across most conditions. There are some situations, such as open water swimming, where contact lenses are not recommended, and in those cases prescription sports goggles are the better option. During your assessment, we will discuss your specific sport and help you decide which solution suits you best.

My child plays sport and already wears glasses. What are the options?

There are several good options for young athletes who wear glasses, and the right one depends on the sport, the prescription, and the child. Prescription sports goggles, durable sport frames with prescription lenses, or contact lenses for older children are all possibilities. We work with young athletes regularly and we will assess your child thoroughly before making any recommendation. If you are looking for a kids optometrist in inner-west Sydney who understands active children, come and see us.

How do I know if my child’s vision is affecting their sporting performance?

Children frequently do not make the connection between their vision and how they are performing on the field. Signs worth paying attention to include difficulty tracking a ball, poor hand-eye coordination, reluctance to participate in certain sports or positions, or unexplained drops in performance. A children’s eye test followed by a sports vision conversation gives you a clear picture of what is happening and what can be done about it.

I already have a prescription. Can I just buy sports glasses online?

You can, but there are some real limitations worth understanding. The optical quality of online sports eyewear varies significantly, and the fit of a frame affects the accuracy of your correction, particularly in wraparound styles where lens curvature changes the optics. A poorly fitted sports frame can actually make your vision less accurate than wearing nothing at all. Having your sports glasses fitted by our optical dispensers means your prescription is positioned correctly for your specific frame and your specific eyes.

What types of sport frames are available with prescription lenses?

Quite a broad range, and the right style depends on your sport. Wraparound frames work well for cycling, running, and outdoor sports. More structured frames suit racquet sports and team games. Sealed goggle-style frames are suited to water sports and contact sports. During your fitting appointment, we will look at the demands of your specific activity and match you with something that performs properly in that environment.

How often should a sportsperson have their eyes tested?

Every two years is a general guide for adults with no known vision changes, though we recommend coming in sooner if you notice any shift in your vision or comfort during sport. Active patients whose prescriptions change regularly may benefit from more frequent checks. Children who play sport should be seen regularly because their prescriptions can change quickly during growth periods, and an outdated prescription in a sports setting affects both performance and safety.

I am searching for an optometrist near me for sports eyewear. Do you see patients from outside Drummoyne?

Absolutely. Many of our patients travel from Rozelle, Balmain, Five Dock, Concord, Leichhardt, and other parts of inner-west Sydney to see us for sports vision and eyewear. If you are looking for an experienced, independent practice in Sydney that treats sports vision as a genuine specialty, we would be very glad to look after you. Give us a call before you visit and we will answer any questions you have.

Does Medicare cover a sports vision assessment?

An eye test conducted as part of your sports vision appointment may be eligible for a Medicare rebate depending on your individual circumstances. We process Medicare claims on the spot at every visit, and we offer HICAPS electronic claiming for private health fund members. Please bring your Medicare card and your private health fund card to your appointment. If you want to understand the costs before you book, call us and we will walk you through it clearly and honestly.