LASIK and PRK
THURSDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Two popular laser-assisted surgeries to correct nearsightedness -- LASIK and PRK -- are equally effective at restoring 20/20 vision six months to a year after the procedure, concludes a review of recent studies.
Both LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) use a laser to reshape the eye's cornea. PRK works by shaving off microscopic layers of the cornea. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the cornea in order to remove excess tissue below.
The review, published in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, did find that people who have LASIK tend to recover their vision faster and report less pain after surgery than PRK patients. However, LASIK patients tend to be more uncomfortable during the actual surgery.
The authors reviewed six studies involving 417 eyes -- 201 treated with PRK and 216 treated with LASIK. Some patients had surgery in only one eye, and some had each eye treated with different procedures.
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LASIK and Mountain Biking
TEMECULA, Calif. (April 23, 2006) Today Nat Ross (Subaru/Gary Fisher) executed an astonishing race at the 24 Hours of Temecula and here's why: up until this weekend Ross has been legally blind during every night lap through each of the 29 solo 24-hour races he's done. Earlier this year Ross underwent Lasik surgery to correct vision in his left eye. The right eye is scheduled for surgery in October. Today's race became a brand new event for Ross, who could actually see the racecourse clearly at night for the first time.
"It's given me so much more confidence and ability to ride at night with speed," explained Ross. "I actually have definition and peripheral vision on top of everything else so I was really looking forward to this season. Being able to go into the night - that eight or nine laps with extra confidence, it sure pays off."
By 10 pm Saturday night and with 22 hours left to go, Ross had crossed off ten laps - or half his stated goal of 20 laps. While Ross could have called it a day by 8 am Sunday, since second place in Men's Solo trailed by six laps, his other ambition was to topple Tinker Juarez' (Cannondale) course record for the most laps in the Men's Solo category. 19 laps would parallel Juarez' personal best yet by 10:35 Sunday morning, Ross had another lap in him. Despite an early morning downpour that brought on some chills, Ross neatly finished 20 laps in 24:06:11.
Expect Ross to do more damage to his competition this season both because of his improved vision and because - for the first time - he's been able to dedicate more time to training. Keep watch over Ross during 2006, big things are up ahead!
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