Leeds Tykes will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of success and the wellbeing of their players. To add to the best physiotherapy care, training programmes and facilities, the club are to take part in new research with the club’s official optometrist to utilise the latest technology in eye care.

In co-operation with the club’s official optometrist, Simon Falk, Leeds Tykes will ensure that all their players undergo routine eye examinations and eye health checks. The players will undergo Optomap Retinal screening which is the world’s first ophthalmic device capable of producing a single high resolution, ultra wide field image of the retina without dilating the pupil. This gives the optometrist a view of 200 degrees in just 0.25 of a second.

Tykes optometrist, Simon Falk, said, “Retinal screening can assist in the early detection of retinal damage or disease. The amount of head contact the players undergo in any one match increases their risk of a traumatic retinal detachment. The Optomap will provide us, at any time, a full colour picture to try to ensure this doesn’t happen. It is expected each player will be screened pre and post season and at any time of concern.”

Director of Rugby Phil Davies commented, “We are always looking for new ways to make sure that our players are in the best possible shape to perform to the maximum of their potential and this will be a great advantage to us to monitor the health of our players.”