I stumbled across an article few people who aren’t Indiana University fans will likely see. IU’s national football championship, Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy, and his number one draft position are all due in part to the people at IU’s School of Optometry. In addition to the thousands of people, including 10,000 children, who IU Optometry students and faculty give free eye exams each year are hundreds of athletes, including those who compete in Special Olympics and IU’s athletes.
Each spring, summer, and fall, hundreds of athletes are screened at Memorial Stadium. In early 2025, IU optometrists discovered a vision problem with a particularly high-profile athlete, Fernando Mendoza. He had thought it was normal for close-up objects to appear normal.
“When I got (to IU) and did the eye testing, I found out that I actually needed better vision, and that I was living my life straining for better vision,” said Mendoza, who was diagnosed with hyperopia, or farsightedness, which is treatable with contact lenses or glasses.
“It helped my confidence knowing that I did everything possible to help my vision, and that I was at the same level — if not better — than other players at seeing the field,” he added. “It really helped me with my peripheral vision. That’s a big thing when you’re playing the game; everything happens so fast.”
IU School of Optometry faculty member Katie Connolly, right, conducts an eye exam on IU football player Fernando Mendoza, who was diagnosed with farsightedness during a free vision screening in partnership with IU Athletics. Photo courtesy of the IU School of Optometry
Tom Benjey's Weblog 
