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World champion Bobsleigh competitor Nicola Minichiello has this week faced the risks of eye laser surgery to help her achieve perfect
natural vision.
The sportswoman lost most of her eyesight last November and has since had several sessions of eye laser surgery.
"I had two laser operations around Christmas which went very well and gave me back most of my normal vision," the Daily Express quoted her as saying at the launch of Team GB for the Vancouver Games.
"It did get tricky because I lost a lot of perception and depth of field. But it has responded well to treatment. Now they are going to clear out the last bit of fluid. It got to the point where I was walking into walls," she added.
Minichiello will be hoping that she does not suffer from any
eye laser surgery complications as she hopes to go running at 3pm on the day of her treatment and plans to be back in her bob again by the following week.
A mere 16 days after undergoing the eye laser surgery, she will be competing in the Winter Olympics at Vancouver.
Minichiello started her bobsleigh career in 2001 and recently came third in the Europa Cup Race at St Moritz.
Many athletes who suffer from vision problems use
OrthoK over
night contact lenses rather than glasses or conventional contact lenses, which can get broken or lost when taking part in sporting activities.
The lenses are worn overnight and are then taken out the next day, leaving the wearer with
natural vision for up to 36 hours.
In particular, the lenses are ideal for people who ski, swim or snowboard as they mean they do not have to purchase special prescription sports goggles.
Sports Vision: Will i-GO over
night contact lenses improve your sports performance?
By Nick Howard
