Rancho Cordova CA, March 20, 2006 - VSP (Vision Service Plan), the nation's largest vision benefits provider, launched the Get Focused Sports Vision Video today. The production features a series of baseball drills that challenge kids' visual awareness, and emphasizes the importance of vision care at an early age.

Every ballplayer knows that a quick swing, a sure glove and a strong arm are important assets on the baseball field. Even more important is good eyesight. In fact, good eyesight — and eyecare — is key for any young player who wants to be at the top of his or her game.

VSP's Get Focused Sports Vision Video provides coaches, parents and teachers with tools to help young ballplayers, ages 5 to 18, sharpen their skills while learning about the overall importance of eyecare. The straightforward drills demonstrated on the video require only inexpensive household products or sporting goods, and can easily be incorporated into sport practices or physical education classes. The drills include:

• Distortion Goggles – demonstrates to kids what the world looks like through blurred vision
• Brock String – a string with beads placed 24-36 inches apart is used to train the eyes to focus on objects at varying distances
• Marsden Ball – a ball is attached to a cord, then gently swung towards the child to teach them focusing skills and to keep their head still at the plate

"Ballplayers often think that they only need to practice hitting, pitching or catching," said VSP eyecare specialist Ron Reynolds, O.D., 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."

The drills provide kids with a fun alternative to a typical baseball practice and reinforce the need for healthy eyes when playing sports. When kids learn about the importance of vision, they carry that knowledge to other parts of their lives.

"Healthy vision is essential at the ballpark, but seeing clearly is just as important for kids in the classroom and at home," said Dr. Reynolds. "VSP's vision drills are helpful for every child, whether they like to watch from the stands or dream of going pro."

To view the production on-line, visit www.getfocusedamerica.org.

About VSP
VSP provides eyecare benefit plans that range from comprehensive eye examinations and materials to primary medical eyecare. With more than 44 million members nationwide, one in seven people in the United States relies on VSP for eyecare health coverage. VSP's Sight for Students program has helped more than 320,000 low-income/uninsured children receive free eyecare services since its inception in 1997. VSP, a company with over $2.2 billion in annual gross revenue, has been recognized by Fortune Magazine for the seventh consecutive year as one of best places to work in America. For more information, visit us online at www.vsp.com.

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