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The Winter Olympics in Vancouver start today with the opening ceremony and qualifying for the ski jumping, and one bobsledder has the chance to win gold thanks to recent eye improvements.
Steven Holcomb, 29, decided to retire from the sport after his ailing eyesight which saw him almost blind, hampered him in competing.
In 2000 he was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease which he kept pace with by changing contact lenses every year at first and then every six months and finally every four to six weeks.
Since having his eyesight restored to 20-20 vision, his American team has since won the World Championships.
His natural vision was not restored through painful
eye surgery and cornea transplant which could have caused complications and had a year-long recovery period, but by a simple 30 minute procedure by a Beverly Hills ophthalmologist.
Brian Boxer Wachler diagnosed the problem as keratocunus which causes the cornea to bulge and offered a simple procedure that was not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation split the $15,000 cost of the 30-minute procedure which restored his natural vision almost instantly.
Even with his restored vision, Holcomb has problems with seeing everything due to the sled's visor being badly scratched.
He told Philly.com: "Most drivers are meticulous about their visors, replacing them for every race. I'm trying to keep things toned down a bit. I can see better. But at times that's overwhelming for me. Your brain needs time to adjust."
Natural vision is absolutely vital in most sports and ortho K contact lenses can help spell
eyesight improvements without the need for painful eye laser surgery.
Eye correction is easily achieved by the over night contact lenses which are only worn while asleep.
Sports Vision: Will i-GO over night contact lenses improve your sports performance?
By Nick Howard
