OPTICAL PRISM | FEATURE
and they have better peripheral awareness and depth perception or their reaction speed is enhanced , maybe they ’ re more likely to avoid that critical blow which injured them in the first place .”
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Smithson experienced almost instant success after joining Northern Virginia Doctors Optometry where he treats Washington ’ s biggest sports stars .
“ I won an MLS Cup with DC United in 2004 and being out there with the team and getting champagne in your hair ... I couldn ’ t wait to do it again .”
However , it would take some time before Smithson would taste champagne again . to do with the bottle I brought on the bus , but it was a good time .”
Smithson is addicted to winning now . He ’ s going to keep chasing championships .
“ I ’ ve filled up one hand with rings , so I ’ ve got another hand to fill up .”
While being surrounded by stars might be overwhelming for some , Smithson cherishes the friendships he ’ s forged over the years , including his relationship with former Nationals slugger and MLB all-star Bryce Harper .
“ I met the guy when he was just 18-years-old and I got to know him and his family well . I love the guy and he ’ s just an awesome dude . My son plays baseball and wears 34 . My dog ’ s name is Harper . You root for
“ I love the idea of teaching something that can make a difference for athletes at all levels .”
“ You have to do your job well so you can be part of special moments like that . Everybody in the organization is working to build that championship environment . As a team physician , I ’ m trying to perfect my piece of the puzzle and make sure our players perform as well as they can .”
That hard work and perseverance led to one of Smithson ’ s fondest memories so far , that celebration with the players on the streets of DC in 2019 , the experience of being showered with adoration by roaring spectators . Also , when you ’ re partying with multi-millionaire professional athletes , things tend to get a bit wild .
“ The bus I was riding on , ended up with a lot of guys with no shirts on and all that happened because some stuff was brought on the bus that wasn ’ t supposed to be there . I take no responsibility for that . It had nothing these guys because you know them . It ’ s a group of friends and family and that ’ s what makes teams good .”
LIFE LESSONS
Aspiring young athletes from all over the U . S . come to Virginia , hoping that Smithson ’ s expertise will elevate their game from “ good ” to “ great ”. These kids have big dreams and Smithson has the power to change the trajectory of their careers .
“ We ’ ve known some of these kids since they were 10 or 11-years-old ... and now they ’ re signing massive contracts ,” he says . “ It ’ s some of the most rewarding stuff we get to do .”
While Smithson loves helping these athletes strike a big payday , what he finds most inspiring , are the life lessons that these kids , including his own , are learning from sports .
“ How to be a good teammate or how to work hard and not give up ,” he says . “ With this crazy world , we all lived in this past year , sports teaches you how to deal with a tough situation , how to hold your head high and keep pushing forward . We need to find something that helps these kids be successful in their sport . If they do nothing more than continue learning life lessons and becoming better humans , that ’ s hugely rewarding .”
SPREADING KNOWLEDGE
Smithson wants to spread his knowledge and help young athletes get the most out of their vision without travelling to Virginia .
He has launched a new site , Sports- VisionPros . com , which he calls “ the Google of sports vision ”. It ’ s a free , online education resource related to athletic eyewear , concussion rehab , contact lens technology ... anything to do with vision .
Smithson is also working on what he believes is the next frontier in visual performance enhancement , by developing a virtual reality program , Skeyefall , that will combine engaging gameplay and visual skills enhancement for sports .
“ I love the idea of teaching something that can make a difference for athletes at all levels ,” says Smithson . “ Finding a way for sports to be something that can change someone ’ s life is a cool and powerful thing . I ’ m in this for the long haul .” OP
Keith A Smithson , OD practices at Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry . He is the director of visual performance for the Washington Nationals , the team optometrist for the Washington Wizards , Spirit , Mystics , D . C . United , and the Washington Football Team , and vision performance consultant for the Washington Capitals .
30 OPTICAL PRISM | July 2021