Improving Vision: New Tests and Skills

The basic mistake is to assume that great vision boils down to puzzling out the smallest line on a chart. It's much more complex than that. Researchers at the Sport Vision Performance Center at the University of Houston are experimenting with a Canadian device trademarked Dynavision, a vertical peg board with a target array of 64 LED lights and a host of sensors that help determine "reaction time, peripheral awareness and accuracy of movement." (Watch a video of the board, and a Canadian hockey player, in action here.) Dynavision has been used in occupational therapy, military training and, more recently, to enhance athletic performance.

The basic insight? When viewed in all its intricacy, the eye's many functions and skills can be isolated, rated and improved. We looked into this last year, when we ran our complete guide to better vision. Just don't stare at it too long.

-- Matthew Fishbane