Image courtesy of the New York KnicksBefore stepping onto an NBA court with the New York Knicks, Trey Jemison III’s eye care journey began at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. As a student-athlete, he was under the care of UAB optometrist Kathy Weise, O.D., who works closely with the UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine team. Weise recalls first meeting Jemison when he arrived on campus for updated contact lenses and glasses.
“Because UAB Eye Care takes care of vision in our student-athletes, I got to meet Trey when he first got to UAB,” Weise, said. “I adored him immediately. I learned quite quickly that he is very dedicated to family, to giving back to his community, and to his faith.”
Since childhood, Jemison has navigated myopia or nearsightedness, a condition that often progresses as the eye grows. As the eyeball lengthens, the retina stretches and can become thinner, increasing the risk for retinal holes or even a detached retina. During his time at UAB, Weise and, colleague Mark Swanson, O.D., identified areas of retinal thinning and small holes on Jemison’s eyes. At the time, his condition did not require protective eyewear during play, but they gave him strict guidance to report any eye contact immediately due to the elevated risk of retinal detachment.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, current research shows that basketball is the leading cause of sport-related eye injuries in the United States. And, sport-related eye injuries are on the rise, up 33% in the past year.
“I learned about good eye health and good eye safety when I was a student-athlete at UAB,” said Jemison. “I know when you see better, you play better. And I know that protecting my eyes helps me play hard for my team."
Image courtesy of the New York KnicksJemison carried sport eye safety into his professional basketball career. After entering the NBA, he remained in communication with his care team here at UAB following multiple finger contact incidents to the eye. After the second incident, evaluations confirmed that the repeated contact exposure had increased his risk of retinal detachment. In coordination with his eye care providers in New York City, they recommended he wear protective eyewear consistently during play.
“The doctors agreed that the risk had gone up enough that he should wear his specs whenever he plays,” Weise said. “That’s when he started looking even more cool. He wears them to prevent any fingers flying into his eyes, to keep them as safe as possible.”
Now, every time Jemison steps onto the court wearing his protective eyewear, it is not just about his vision, it is about prevention. His story sends a strong message that eye injuries in sports are often preventable, and early evaluation paired with ongoing evaluations can make a difference.
Trey Jemison III made history as the first former UAB Blazer to appear on an NBA Finals roster, capping off a championship season with the New York Knicks.