Relationship between dynamic visual acuity and static visual acuity, refractive error, and binocular vision in elite soccer players

Clinical relevance: In many sports, dynamic visual acuity is used. In order to improve dynamic visual acuity, it is important to understand the aspects of the visual system that can cause compromise. Background: To investigate the parameters of the visual system that may influence dynamic visual acuity in professional soccer players. Methods: In 2022, 40 professional players were analysed. Screening consisted of a survey, the measurement refractive error, and static and dynamic visual acuity and the binocular vision parameters. All athletes were men with a mean age of 24.9 ± 4.8 years. Results: The mean refractive error was −0.29 ± 0.61D, and 22.5% of athletes are myopic only and 7.5% hyperopic. Static visual acuity was R: −0.037 ± 0.094 LogMAR, L: −0.036 ± 0.098 LogMAR. Dynamic visual acuity was 0.154 ± 0.118 LogMAR. There is a positive and moderate correlation between monocular static visual acuity and dynamic visual acuity, with r = 0.524 (r² = 0.275, p < 0.001) for the right eye and r = 0.553 (r² = 0.306, p < 0.001) for the left eye. For the component of astigmatism (J = 0) and for stereopsis in distance vision, the correlation was, r = –0.472 (r² = 0.223, p = 0.002) and r = –0.467 (r² = 0.218, p = 0.002), respectively. Conclusion: Athletes with lower static visual acuity in distance vision, or with worse stereopsis in distance vision or more myopic astigmatism, have lower dynamic visual acuity than other athletes.