Expert: Lian Shoemake - 3/29/2009

Question
What are the visual acuity requirements for amateur boxing in California. For example, a teenager with 20/70 uncorrected vision, has glasses but no contacts has this problem. It is ok to wear soft contacts while boxing?

Answer
Hi George,
Thanks for the question.
Here is a cut and paste from the USA Boxing rulebook to address your question:

(d) Vision. The wearing of glasses by boxers in the ring is prohibited. A
boxer totally unsighted (uncorrected vision worse than 20/400) in one or
both eyes, or possessing only one eye is prohibited from boxing. In
addition, a boxer with corrected visual acuity of worse than 20/60 in
either eye, regardless of its cause, shall be disqualified. Any boxer with
uncorrected vision between 20/20 and 20/400 may be permitted to wear
soft contact lenses. If the lens comes out and the boxer cannot continue;
the boxer losing the lens will lose by RSC. Any boxer possessing a
cataract in either eye which reduces corrected vision to 20/60 or worse,
or a boxer possessing the presence or history of retinal detachment or
tear, whether or not such condition has been effectively treated, or
presence of any other ocular pathology that may result in permanent
vision dysfunction, shall be disqualified

I hope this helps!
Thanks again for writing.
Regards,
Lian