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Sight Training - and just in time for Christmas
As I search the internet for Christmas inspiration I came across the follow up to the successful Nintendo DS Brain Training, that of Sight Training (or Flash Focus as it is known in America).
The idea behind this new game is that with daily exercises ‘eye sight’ can be improved, helping us perform better in sport or daily life. However, Nintendo do acknowledge that it won’t reverse any decline in our eye sight (isn’t decline a little strong?) and won’t improve visual acuity, but it will supposedly help us sharpen up what skills we have already.
I am all for a little skill-sharpening myself, but given that daily training on a Nintendo DS will help to improve my ‘eye sight’, have we now a new definition of what ‘eye sight’ actually is?’ I dig a little deeper, and find that that the games were devised in association with Professor Hisao Ishigaki, who is involved in visual training for athletes. Furthermore, the Sight Training package covers a number of different ‘eye skills’ including Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA), Momentary Vision, Eye Movement, Peripheral Vision and Hand-Eye Coordination. Finally, Sight Training allows us to complete an Eye Test once a day to see what our eye age is. Oh, it’s all becoming clearer now.
I am now captivated (and wonder if there are any CET points attached). However, whilst I am sure that the games are a lot of fun, I do wonder about Nintendo’s marketing strategy. Perhaps it’s the sceptical nature within me (and one with a tight purse) but for £2.95 I bought my son a basketball. Whilst it may not claim to hone all of those skills covered by the DS, I can already see a marked improvement in several of his ‘visual senses.’ With fresh air attached.
Ba Humbug.
Joy Myint // Dec 9, 2007 at 3:26 am
Dear Bah Humbug,
A patient of mine came in last week to ask me if Sight Training would work? The same Px was extolling the virtues of Brain training. Avoiding my usual sarcasm and flippancy I went home and sat in front of the TV until the advert for Sight Training appeared. I achieved a certain degree of vocal training by shouting at the television screen….
Surely this is just the modern version of the old “eye training pinhole spex” and “eat bananas and you won’t get glaucoma” of yesteryear?
To put in perspective the virtual pets in the same range do not actually rip up your furniture or run off with your fresh turkey on Christmas day.
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