RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.--Vision Service Plan (VSP) has developed a new video on sports vision, designed to provides coaches, parents and teachers with tools to help young ballplayers, aged 5 to 18, sharpen their skills while learning about the overall importance of eyecare.

The company also recently kicked off a new “Doctor in the Classroom” program, designed to encourage children to take care of their vision and instill positive habits that will benefit them in the classroom and throughout their lives.

VSP’s new Get Focused Sports Vision Video features a series of baseball drills designed to challenge kids’ visual awareness, and emphasizes the importance of vision care at an early age. Drills demonstrated on the video require only inexpensive household products or sporting goods, and can be incorporated into sport practices or physical education classes.

“Ballplayers often think that they only need to practice hitting, pitching or catching,” said VSP provider Ron Reynolds, OD, who is featured on the video. “These things are helpful, but without good eyesight kids can’t perform to their full potential--both on and off the field.”

Added Reynolds, “VSP’s vision drills are helpful for every child, whether they like to watch from the stands or dream of going pro.”

The new “Doctor in the Classroom” program includes curriculum that demonstrates easy ways to keep eyes healthy, as well as some of the signs that a student may have a vision problem, according to VSP.

Launched by VSP in Chicago March 29 and supported by the Chicago Public Schools Office of Specialized Services, the program brought 10 eyecare practitioners into schools there to teach students about the importance of healthy eyes and explain how poor eyesight can affect school performance.

Following the Chicago launch, the Doctor in the Classroom program “will continue as a grass-roots initiative where doctors will work directly with schools in their local communities,” a VSP spokesperson told VM. VSP will provide lesson plans, teaching tips, and handouts to doctors via download from vsp.com beginning this month.