QRA - Sports Vision and Rifle Shooting

Bryan Smith is an accredited Sports Vision specialist who has developed expertise is prescribing for rifle shooters, an interest he developed  whilst serving in the Army Reserve with the University of NSW Regiment in Sydney.

Bryan caters for shooters from all disciplines and he will consult with members at the range with all their shooting gear in their shooting position in order to ensure they are fitted with the most appropriate visual aids.

Bryan is no longer consulting in Alexandra Hills but will be holding regular clinics in Brisbane at the range.   Consultations by appointment are being conducted at Belmont Range on the following days:

Venue   QRA Training Room
Time     9 am to 2 pm

2010

Monday 8th February
Tuesday 9th February
Wednesday 10th February

Monday 8th March
Tuesday 9th March
Wednesday 10th March

2009

Monday 27 July
Monday 24 August
Monday 19 October
Tuesday 20 October
Wednesday 21 October
Monday 16 November

Consultations at Carindale, Capalaba and Loganholme shopping centres are also being conducted.   Contact Bryan for an appointment.

2008

Bryan consulted with shooters at the range during the Queens this year from Tuesday to Thursday.   If you would like a personal consultation at Belmont, contact Bryan 03 5258 2061.

2007 Sports Vision Seminars

Once again, our expert Optometrist and Sports Vision Specialist Bryan Smith entertained shooters with his sports vision presentation at Belmont Range during the 2007 Queens Prize Meeting.

Next year Bryan is planning to make himself available to consult with shooters on the range prior to the Queens.   Dates will be advertised here closer to the 2008 competition.

Sports Vision Seminars cover the following topics with an emphasis on full bore shooting:

1.    Managing visual fatigue, before, during and after shooting.

2.    Visual problems that affect shooting and how they can be remedied

3.    What are the benefits of testing on the range versus testing in the office?

4.    Practical visual training for the shooting.

5.    Nutrition and vision. What can you add to you diet and what to avoid.

Bryan Smith

B.Optom (UNSW), FACBO, FCOVD

Michael Christian Optometry
2/41 Flinders Street, Queenscliff, Vic 3225
03 5258 2061 or 0404 540 497
Bryan.Smith@microprism.com.au

www.mcoptometry.com

Exercise your eyes on the computer simulator
discussed at Bryan's presentation

Australian Institute of Sport Information

Bryan presenting to State Rifle Teams and QRA members at Belmont Range

2006 Sports Vision Seminar

Rex and Meredith met with Bryan on behalf of the Queensland Rifle Association and arranged with him to give a presentation to interested shooters during the National Queens.   On Friday 23 June 2006, 35 members of the Qld, NSW, Nth Qld, NT, ACT, VIC and WA state teams, New Zealand Ladies team and club members attended a presentation on Sports Vision at Belmont Range.

Bryan began by discussing the cause and effects of visual problems such as astigmatism (asymmetric blurring of vision), myopia (short sightedness) and hyperopia (long sightedness), and showed graphic images of eye diseases and injuries.

Bryan conducted some entertaining individual and group exercises to demonstrate the effects of lenses and occluders on visual and motor skills.  We practiced balancing, visualisation and listened to the benefits of muscle memory in sports performance. We laughed watching volunteers attempt simple physical tasks whilst wearing an eye patch or lenses designed to simulate impaired visual function.

Bryan described in technical detail, the optical effects produced by different types of visual aids, from eagle eyes in the foresight to prescriptive lenses at the rear sight and eye.   He explained the use of multifocal contact lenses which are particularly suitable for shooters who are becoming presbyopic with age.  

Those of us who are over 40 and can no longer read the vernier scale on our sights without a magnifying glass are likely to be experiencing presbyopia, the gradual loss of flexibility in the lens of the eye, which is part of the normal aging process.   Normal vision is the ability to read and write at knuckle to elbow distance.

If you are experiencing difficulty in focussing on the foresight ring, aiming mark and vernier scale to your satisfaction, visit Bryan and take the following information and equipment with you to your initial consultation:

1.   All sighting aids such as eagle eye, diopter, lens, spectacles, glasses etc.
2.   Rear sight including variable aperture accessories.
3.   The exact measurement of the distance between your eye and your rear sight.
4.   The exact measurement of the distance between your rear sight and foresight.
5.   A list of the distances you shoot at eg 300 - 1000 yards.

Thanks Bryan!

Kim O'Loghlen (Qld) trying to throw balls into a box whilst wearing various lenses to simulate visual impairment

Ann Chinnery (NQld) pouring water between tea cups whilst wearing an eye patch