Which Actress Has The Hottest Body?
There are pretty girls all around the B-Town, but who’s got the Hottest body of ‘em all. Some of them have made it big regardless of their vital stats while some have their claim to fame depending purely on their curves. We’ve picked eight beauties from Bollywood who we consider ones with the HOTTEST bodies. Here they are - 1. Priyanka Chopra 2....
Shahid in love with Anushka Sharma?
Shahid and Deepika make a great pair
Ever since Deepika Padukone broke up with Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor with Priyanka Chopra, Karan Johar has been inundated with requests from Bollywood fans from all over the world to pair them together in one of his next productions.
Buzz up!Says a source, "Ever since Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir began working together in Sajid Nadiadwala's Anjaana Anjani, KJo has been flooded with requests from people on Twitter asking him to cast their ex-flames Deepika and Shahid as a jodi. It's as if people want Deepika and Shahid now to pair up together on screen at least, if not in real life as both are single and ready to mingle."
KJo admits, "A barrage of people from all over the world are asking me to take Shahid and Deepika in my next film. Ironically, they are both actors I have not worked with. I would love to do a film with them together. I have no idea as to what kind of film it will be whether a love story or serious drama. They are both a fresh pair who haven't worked together. Shahid and Deepika make a great pair! I loved Kaminey and Shahid's work in the film. I think it's Shahid's career-best performance and Deepika too is a beautiful and extremely poised individual."
Karan has become a fan of Twitter (he has almost 40,000 followers) and has encouraging many of his star friends to join. He says, "It is very entertaining to get feedback from people all over the world. Now all my friends from Abhishek (Bachchan) to Riteish (Deshmukh) and Preity (Zinta) and Priyanka (Chopra) are on it. Many actors feel shy of getting onto a social network platform as they don't want to be accessible but I feel it's the age of accessibility today. I encourage all mainstream artistes to use it as a third platform to get instant feedback. In fact, I have been trying to get Shahrukh on Twitter but haven't been successful so far."
Tags: deepika padukone, shahid kapoor, karan johar, priyanka chopra, ranbir kapoor.
Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra 
Mumbai: Filmdom’s swishy beauties Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra have more in common than just their svelte frame. The two belles have a similar taste in men too. And after snubbing each other over hot hunk Shahid Kapur, the sassy beauties are now at loggerheads over yet another man.
But before you get alarmed, let us tell you that the man in question is a professional, Pompy, who makes both ladies blush with just the apt powder and rouge.
Filmdom’s most coveted make-up artiste, Pompy is a top priority for Kareena and Priyanka. Owing some of their most glamorous looks to the man, both actresses are currently at loggerheads over Pompy.
Confirming the news, a source told a daily, "Earlier in the month, when Priyanka learnt that she had to go to Bangkok for the Anjaana Anjaani shoot with Ranbir Kapoor, her secretary tried his best to get dates from Pompy, but they did not match. The make-up magician was committed to accompany Kareena to Sydney, Australia, where she was to shoot with Kajol and Arjun Rampal for the Bollywood remake of Stepmom."
With the race on, only time will tell who walks away with the man in question. But as of now, it’s Kareena who seems to be a step ahead, as the actress has maintained quite a close relationship with Pompy. According to sources, Kareena invites him to her films` previews and makes sure he gets his due credit.
Celebrities stuck in Dubai debt crisis
I still miss Chris: Rihanna
London R&B star Rihanna can't seem to make up her mind about ex-beau Chris Brown as she has admitted that she still misses him and listens to his music.
The 'Unfaithful' hitmaker, who broke up with Brown after she suffered violent assaults from him, has not still got over the memories of their happier times together, reported Sun online.
Asked if she misses him, the 21-year-old star told a US radio show, "Sometimes. Actually, yes. There are a lot of reminders, like a lot of hotel rooms, a lot of places we've been to together, music. There are different things that come up that are reminders of your ex."
And she's more likely to turn up the volume than switch off the radio when a Chris Brown song comes on.
"I don't snub or turn it off, I listen. I like his music," she said.
Brown, who was sentenced to five
years probation and 180 days community service after pleading guilty to the bust-up, was back in court yesterday for a progress report hearing. The Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ordered the singer to report back on February 18.
Tanque Verde the ride of your life
Alba makes education for all one of her key goals
Jessica Alba is taking her role as the co-chairman of the United States division of 1Goal very seriously.
Last Friday, the American actress and new mother met Ms Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, to talk about the campaign and the importance of global education.
The 28-year-old, the star of movies Sin City and Fantastic Four, has become a strong advocate of 1Goal, which is trying to make education for all children a legacy of the football World Cup Finals in South Africa next year.
'It's a human right, I believe, to have the opportunity to have an education and it's unacceptable that 75 million children on this planet don't have a chance to have one,' she said recently.
'I played soccer when I was a kid and so did my husband. The wonderful thing about the 1Goal campaign being tied to the World Cup is it's the one time in the world when everyone puts down their differences, puts down their weapons, and roots for a team.'
Her husband Cash Warren, 30, is an American film producer.
World leaders and footballers have rallied behind the Fifa-initiated campaign.
Queen Rania of Jordan, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and South African President Jacob Zuma are among the group that will attempt to raise about US$7 billion (S$9.7 billion) needed to educate children in Africa and other countries.
What's affecting Longoria's sex life?
Hollywood actress Eva Longoria Parker has revealed her show Desperate Housewives is affecting her sex life.
The actress admits she and husband Tony Parker can only get cosy on weekends because of her filming schedule in Hollywood and his commitments to his Texas-based basketball team the San Antonio Spurs, reports femalefirst.co.uk
"I work three to four days per week. And then I fly to Texas to spend a long weekend with Tony. So we only have sex during the weekend," she said.
Despite her hectic life, the actress said she is happy being a wife and does anything she can to please Parker.
"I love being married. I'm part of something bigger and more important now. The marriage gives me so much more than my job. Tony and I feel incredibly connected. I love being a housewife. It's great fun. I cook, clean and sew. I even wash Tony's laundry," she said.
Fleecing a High-Society Mom
Brooke Astor, the glamorous New York City philanthropist and socialite who succumbed to Alzheimer's disease in her later years, died in August at the age of 105. Soon afterward, amid stunning allegations of elder abuse, neglect, and flat-out greed, her only son, Anthony Marshall, was charged with stealing, forgery and conspiracy to plunder his mother's estate. Marshall pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were brought against him more than a year after Astor's grandson sued to have Marshall removed as her guardian for allegedly allowing the once grand dame to live in squalor.
O.J. Gets Busted
Really, O.J.? Really? Your alleged plan to run a civilian "sting operation" against the guy you claim was illegally selling your memorabilia consisted of you and a few gun-toting friends breaking into his Las Vegas hotel room and taking your stuff back by force? We're sure you would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for that pal of yours who tape-recorded the whole incident. O.J. pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him, including robbery, kidnapping and use of a deadly weapon, and his trial is scheduled to begin in April.
A Wrestler's Rage
In June, World Wrestling Entertainment star Chris Benoit apparently dosed his wife and 7-year-old son with a sedative before strangling them in their Georgia home and then hanging himself using the cord from a weight machine. The popular wrestler left no suicide note. Amid media speculation that the double murder-suicide was brought on by steroid use and so-called "roid rage," a toxicologist concluded that despite finding elevated levels of testosterone — possibly as a result of treatment for past steroid abuse — in Benoit's body, there was nothing in his system that contributed to the violent behavior.
Execution-Style Slayings in Newark
Everyone who knew them said they were good kids. Three were enrolled at Delaware State University, and the fourth planned to join his friends there shortly. So when they were lined up against a schoolyard wall in Newark, N.J., and shot execution-style (one survived) in early August, it rattled the city and its idealistic young mayor, Cory Booker, who had been elected a year earlier on promises to reduce crime. The murders also stoked a national debate about immigration after it was revealed that one of the six suspects was an illegal immigrant free on bail
Slave Labor in China(Top Crime story)
Hundreds of laborers forced to work as slaves at illegal brick kilns in northern China were freed in June. The slaves, some of whom were minors, had been kidnapped or lured to the factories, where they were physically abused and, in a few cases, murdered. Dozens of people were convicted for their role in the slavery scandal, including the son of a local Communist Party official, and one kiln employee — who confessed to killing a mentally handicapped man for not working hard enough — was sentenced to death.
Bribery in Iraq
In the largest bribery case to come out of the Iraq war, Army Maj. John Cockerham was indicted in August for taking $9.6 million in bribes while he was a contracting officer in Kuwait. He allegedly accepted the payments in return for promising to award contracts for such things as bottled water through a rigged bidding process. He and his wife and sister were also charged with money-laundering and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. All three have pleaded not guilty.
Fiery Attack at Glasgow Airport
In June, two men drove a Jeep into the arrivals terminal of the Glasgow airport and set the car ablaze in an attempted suicide attack. The driver died from third-degree burns. He and his passenger, a British-born Muslim doctor who owned the Jeep, are believed to have planted car bombs that were found in London shortly before the Glasgow incident. The attack highlighted the extent to which Islamist anger with the Western world could radicalize even educated professionals.
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
On the night of May 3, British tourists Kate and Gerry McCann left their three young children asleep in a Portuguese resort while they dined nearby. When they returned, 3-year-old Madeleine was gone. So began a mystery that continues to befuddle investigators. David Beckham and other celebrities were enlisted to help find the girl amid theories that she might have been kidnapped by international pedophile gangs. The McCanns were eventually named as suspects after tiny amounts of the girl's bodily fluids were found in a car her parents had rented several weeks after she went missing. The McCanns claim the evidence is inconclusive.
2. The Jena 6
The incident, which drew attention to what many Americans consider a double-tiered justice system, started after nooses hung from a tree at a high school in Jena, La., sparked a rash of interracial fights. In December 2006, six black students were charged with beating a white one, and thousands of civil rights activists would eventually march in Jena to protest the incarceration of one of the so-called Jena 6, Mychal Bell. In June an all-white jury convicted him of second-degree battery by concluding that his tennis shoes had been used as a dangerous weapon. His conviction as an adult was overturned, but he eventually pleaded guilty to the same charge as a juvenile.
Massacre at Virginia Tech
Kate Beckinsale Named Esquire’s 2009 Sexiest Woman Alive
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --
The new Sexiest Woman Alive is an action hero.
“I do think I could kick your ass,” Kate Beckinsale, 36, said in the November issue of Esquire, which has given the “Whiteout” star its yearly title – an honor she said won’t come without punishment.
“This whole notion of being named ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’ is going to earn me quite a beating,” Kate told the mag. “You can’t have that title with four brothers. I’ll get wedgies. Headlocks. Noogies.”
Still, she’s happy to have the title – and said she’ll work to hang onto it.
“I like the idea of it, too,” she said. “I do. I’m feeling that I must earn this. I need to go out and become much better at pole dancing or something.”
While the beauty has been admired for her looks, like 2008’s Sexiest Woman, “X-Men” star Halle Berry, she’s shown off her tougher side in films such as the “Underworld” franchise.
“What’s dangerous about doing action movies is that I’m used to men on wires. I punch a guy and he flies over a wall,” she explained. “So I tend to feel like that’s me that did that.”
Popstar Britney Spears
Meg Ryan dating Julian McMahon
The 'Sleepless in Seattle' actress took a break from romance following the end of her marriage to Dennis Quaid and split from Russell Crowe in 2000, concentrating on raising son Jack Henry and adopted daughter Daisy, Contactmusic reported.
The actress has recently been photographed on several "cosy" dates with McMahon in Los Angeles, sparking rumours that she has found love again.
McMahon, who has been divorced twice, was most recently linked to model Kelly Paniagua, but his representative was unable to confirm whether they are still in a relationship
Jennifer Lopez slips on stage
American actress-singer Jennifer Lopez is nursing a bruise on her back after slipping on stage during her performance at the American Music Awards.
After strutting on the stage, converted into a boxing ring, in a robe and gloves to sing "Louboutins" from her new album, Lopez gyrated with male dancers Sunday. But it all went wrong for the star after she climbed onto a human pyramid of half-naked performers and jumped down, slipping backwards onto her backside, reported Contactmusic.
Lopez swiftly leaped to her feet and carried on with her performance.
I am always naked at home: Rihanna
The ''Russian Roulette'' singer admits: "To be honest, I''m even hotter at home, because I''m always naked there. I''m from Barbados, that''s quite normal there. My pool boy saw me naked five times already.
"At first it was so embarrassing. I always forget when he comes. I''m so confused when I have a day off, I usually sleep until noon and when I wake up, I don ´ t even know what day it is.
"But he''s used to this view now. I even told my assistant to text me when he comes to say, ''Rihanna get dressed, the pool boy is here.'' "
The 21-year-old also admitted that she occasionally suffers with bouts of insecurity, reports Contactmusic.
Eva Mendes blasts religious critics
The actress' latest ad for the fashion firm raised eyebrows, particularly a poster in downtown New York City that shows the half-naked star sprawled across an entire city block.
Critics protested and wanted the poster pulled down, but Mendes insists they're wrong in their approach.
"It's a religious group that has a problem with the image. That's what I love about this country. We can voice our opinions and beliefs like that. But they're wrong. I don't think I'm traumatising any children. I think it's a really tasteful and beautiful ad,"
Spears' mom wants her to marry Trawick
Britney Spears' mom, Lynne, wants the singer to marry boyfriend Jason Trawick, because he is the "dream" husband.
The singer split from her agent in August, reportedly over concerns the relationship was getting too serious, but the pair has since rekindled their romance.
And the star's mother is hoping the romance lasts, because Trawick looks after Spears and has supported her through her troubles.
Lynne Spears says, "He's the kind of man you would dream of your daughter marrying. The kids love him, and he's stable. ... Everyone else abandoned her, but Jason refused to be completely cut out of Britney's life. He's very protective of her."
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/category?blogid=7&cat=80#ixzz0X6NRQLOv
Rihanna Baffled By Barbed Wire Snap Outrage
Rihanna is shocked by the furor over her raunchy artwork for new track "Russian Roulette" - insisting the public should be used to seeing her dressed provocatively.
Rihanna's first single since her highly-publicized fight with Chris Brown in February features a saucy shot of the star posing in nothing but an eye-patch, barbed-wire around her breasts and a basque.
The "Umbrella" hitmaker is finding it hard to understand why people have been so shocked by the snap - but she's happy her tough new image is making waves.
She tells British radio station Key 103, "I don't know why people are so surprised that I'm scantily clad, I've always been scantily clad, I've always been that way.
"I definitely thought the barbed wire was cool, it was a symbol of strength but fearlessness all at once, that's why we used it.
"We took our time and wrapped that barbed wire around me. It took forever because we had to wrap it round the front of me - a certain area - a few times more than the rest of me so that it would cover the necessary."
Witherspoon And Gyllenhaal Looking For London Home
Hollywood sweethearts Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal are reportedly house hunting in London.
The "Rendition" co-stars, who have been dating since last year, are said to have been viewing a number of properties, both apartments and townhouses, in the Mayfair area.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, Witherspoon is particularly eager to find a home safe enough for her two young children, whom she had with her ex-husband, actor Ryan Phillippe.
A real estate source tells the publication, "Reese was extremely concerned about security issues.
"She seemed to particularly like places where they could enter and exit not directly onto the street. That's not always an easy thing in Central London, especially Mayfair. But we were able to come up with a couple of places both she and Jake seemed to like."
Gyllenhaal is currently in the U.K. filming scenes for his new movie, "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time."
Witherspoon: 'I'm Obsessed With Garbage'
Unsettled Barcelona midfielder Yaya Touré is ready to leave the Nou Camp, with Chelsea or Manchester United his favoured destination.
Touré attracted plenty of interest from Premier League clubs during the summer and, having now suffered under coach Pep Guardiola's rotation policy, the brother of Manchester City defender Kolo is ready to move on.
"We had offers from big clubs, I don't think there is a top side that does not want him, but Barça wanted him to stay. This season, though, he is not playing enough and he is not happy with the situation," said Touré's agent Dimitri Seluk. "He plays in the big games but this is not enough and he wants more consistency.
"Jose Mourinho was interested in him when he was at Chelsea, and Arsène Wenger wants him now at Arsenal but while they play good football they do not have enough money. Ferguson likes him at Manchester [United] and they along with Chelsea are the teams that interest Touré. He would not go to Manchester City because he is only considering really big teams and of course those that are in the Champions League. We ruled out City anyway because they tried to negotiate with us in a bad way using his brother.
"He likes English football and wants to be at a club which plays good football like Manchester United and Chelsea. There will be no movement in January as he will be playing in the African Nations Cup but he will make a decision probably in April or May."
Touré's agent was adamant that the player would not be leaving as any makeweight in a swap deal; rumours have linked him both to Manchester City and Arsenal, with Robinho and Cesc Fabregas respectively moving the other way. "I have heard about this speculation but this will never happen," said Seluk.
About eye cancer
Eye cancer is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells. It can develop in or around the eye. There are several different types of eye cancer.
Types of eye cancer
Cancer that develops in the eye is called intraocular cancer. Cancer that develops outside the eye is called extraocular cancer. Below are the most common types.
Intraocular cancers
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
This type of cancer usually develops in lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are glands throughout your body that make up part of your immune system (the system that helps protect your body from infections). However, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma sometimes develops in the eye.
Ocular melanoma
Melanoma develops from cells that contain the pigment melanin. It most commonly occurs on the skin. But it can also develop inside the eye, where it is called ocular melanoma.
Melanoma is the most common type of intraocular eye cancer, though it's still rare. It is most commonly diagnosed in people over 50.
Ocular melanoma usually develops in the uveal tract in the eye. The uvueal tract consists of the choroid layer (the lining of your eyeball), the ciliary body (which contains the muscles that focus the eye), and the iris (the coloured part of your eye). Melanoma can also starts in the inner surface of eyelids (conjunctiva) or the eyelids.
Retinoblastoma
This type of intraocular eye cancer develops in young children, usually under the age of 5. It is often inherited. In nine out of 10 cases it can be cured.
Extraocular cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in the UK. It often develops near your eye, especially on the lower eyelid. It causes a small red growth on the skin that often has a pearly edge to it. It doesn't usually spread to other parts of the body but it can affect surrounding tissue if it isn't treated. Basal cell carcinoma can usually be removed with surgery if caught early, but sometimes radiotherapy is used to treat it (see Treatment). Squamous cell carcinoma is another type of skin cancer that can develop on the skin of your eyelid, but it is quite rare. It develops on the surface of the eyeball or the conjunctiva. It can sometimes spread to lower levels of the skin. It's usually treated with radiotherapy, although it may need surgery as well (see Treatment). Rhabdomyosarcoma
This is a very rare extraocular cancer that most commonly affects children. It develops in the muscles that move the eye.
Optic nerve tumours
Rarely, a tumour can develop in your optic nerve. The optic nerve connects your eye to the brain. Optic nerve tumiurs are usually treated with surgery (See Treatment).
Symptoms
The symptoms of eye cancer vary depending on the type of cancer and where it is located.
Intraocular cancers such as ocular melanoma have no symptoms. They are usually detected in routine eye examinations. This is one of the reasons it's important to have regular eye tests. The College of Optometrists recommends having an eye examination every two years unless you are advised otherwise.
Some eye cancers cause symptoms. However it's important to remember that these are usually caused by other eye problems and only rarely mean that you have eye cancer. These symptoms are:
loss of some or all of your vision flashing lights or spots in your vision a dark spot on your iris that is growing a visible lump on your eyelid with crusting or bleeding pain in or around the eye (although this is rare with cancer) bulging of an eye In children a squint or odd looking pupil may be a symptom of retinoblastoma. If you notice this, you should take your child to your doctor.
Causes
Diagnosis
If your doctor thinks that you have cancer of the eye, he or she will arrange for you to have some tests to help with diagnosis. You may be referred to a doctor who specialises in eye conditions (an ophthalmologist), and perhaps to a doctor who specialises in cancer (an oncologist) as well.
There are several different types of tests you could have, depending on the type of cancer you are suspected of having.
Ophthalmoscopy
This test is similar to a regular eye test. Your ophthalmologist will use several different instruments to examine the inside of your eye.
Fluorescein angiography
In this test, a dye called fluorescein is injected into your arm. This travels through your blood to vessels in your eyes. A photograph of your eye is taken with a special camera fitted with filters that make the dye visible. The blood vessels inside your eye can then be examined on the photograph.
Ultrasound scan
After giving you some eye drops, your doctor will move a small ultrasound probe over the surface of your eye (through closed eyelids) or on the skin around it. The probe produces sound waves which are used to create an image of the inside of your eye.
Computerised tomography (CT) scan
You may have a CT scan of your head. A CT scan uses X-rays to make a three-dimensional picture of the inside of a part of your body. This helps to show up tumours in and around your eye and whether they have spread.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of the inside of your body. This is sometimes used to find eye tumours.
Biopsy
Sometimes your doctor will want to take a biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample of tissue. This will be sent to a laboratory for testing to find out what type of cancer you have. The procedure can be carried out under local or general anaesthetic.
Treatment
Surgery
Non-surgical treatments
About long-sightedness
Long-sightedness is a refractive error, like short-sightedness (myopia). That means there is an error in the amount that your eye bends light rays.
Normal vision
When you look at something, light rays from the object pass into the eye through the cornea - the clear dome that covers the pupil - then through the lens towards the retina at the back. In a healthy eye the lens and cornea focus the light rays on a small area of the retina so that you can see the object clearly.
Long-sightedness or hyperopia
In long-sightedness, light rays are focused behind the retina, because the eyeball is too short, the cornea is not curved enough or the lens not thick enough. Eyeball length is the most important factor. Close objects seem fuzzy or blurred. Distant objects don't look blurred, because the light rays enter the eye at a slight angle. This means they focus on the retina properly.
Corrected hyperopia
A convex lens - from a pair of glasses or contact lenses - refocuses light rays onto the retina, returning your vision to normal.
Symptoms
Symptoms of long-sightedness are listed below.
Close objects appear fuzzy or blurry, while distant objects remain in focus. Headaches or tired eyes. In young people with long sight, the eyes can still focus on near objects, for example when reading a book. But the muscles in the eye have to contract more to allow this. So you might find that you get headaches when you read, write or do other near work, and that your eyes feel tired. Squints. In some children, a squint can develop, where one eye points inwards more than the other. If a squint is not treated in a baby or young child, it can lead to permanent vision problems. It's important that you take your child to see a GP if you're worried that he or she has a squint. Causes
Long-sightedness may develop in childhood. You're more likely to develop it if there's a history of it in your family.
Between the age of 45 and 65, the lens in your eye becomes stiffer. This means you might not be able to focus on near objects as well any more, but can still see distant objects clearly. This is called age-related long-sightedness or presbyopia.
Diagnosis
If you can see far objects more clearly than near objects, you should visit an optometrist and get your eyes tested.
It's important to have regular eye tests. As well as diagnosing any vision problems, they can reveal other serious illnesses, like diabetes or high blood pressure. The College of Optometrists advise that you should have an eye test at least every two years. Depending on your age, or if you have any known sight problems or illnesses that affect vision, you may need them more frequently - ask your optometrist or GP for more advice.
Treatment
Glasses and contact lenses
Long-sightedness can usually be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses. Some people wear contact lenses, while others feel more comfortable in glasses. Your optometrist will discuss with you what options are available.
Contact lenses tend to be more expensive than glasses, and you have to be comfortable touching your eyes to use contact lenses. Some people find they see better with contact lenses than glasses. Speak to your optometrist about the pros and cons of different types of lenses.
Wearing contact lenses can increase the risk of getting an eye infection. You can reduce the risk by making sure you follow all the advice of your contact lens practitioner.
Glasses are usually recommended for children. They're also easier than contact lenses for elderly people. Glasses are a better option for those who find contact lenses fiddly and don't like touching their eyes.
Surgery
Laser refractive surgery
Laser surgery to correct refractive errors such as long-sightedness has become increasingly popular. Laser refractive surgery isn't suitable for everyone, and you'll need to talk to an ophthalmic surgeon to find out if it's right for you.
A laser is used to make alterations to the cornea, so that light rays are correctly focused onto the retina. There are various types, which differ according to how the surgeon gains access to the cornea. These include PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis) and LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis). Another option, called thermokeratoplasty, is available for mild long-sightedness.
The operation is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you're awake throughout. It only takes a few minutes.
About short-sightedness
To understand what myopia is, it helps to know how our eyes focus. The diagrams below show normal vision, short-sightedness and corrected myopia.
Normal vision
When you look at something, light rays from the object pass into the eye through your cornea - the clear structure at the front of your eye - then through the lens towards the retina at the back of your eye. In a healthy eye the lens and cornea focus the light rays on a small area of your retina so that you can see the object clearly.
Short-sightedness or myopia
If your cornea is too curved, or your eyeball too long, light rays from distant objects focus in front of your retina. This makes objects seem fuzzy or blurred.
Nearby objects don't look fuzzy, because the light rays enter your eye at a slight angle. This means they focus on your retina properly.
Corrected myopia
The bottom diagram shows how a lens - from a pair of glasses or contact lenses - refocuses light rays onto your retina, returning your vision to normal.
Symptoms
Short-sightedness causes distant objects to appear blurry and unfocused, while nearby objects remain in focus.
Causes
Myopia usually develops in children or young teenagers. You are more likely to develop myopia if it runs in your family.
Temporary short-sightedness, called pseudomyopia, can be caused by certain diseases or drugs. For example, myopia can be the first sign of type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Pseudomyopia usually clears up if the underlying cause is treated.
Diagnosis
If you are straining to see things in the distance you should visit an optometrist and get your eyes tested. It's important to get regular eye tests. As well as diagnosing any vision problems they can reveal other serious illnesses, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
According to the College of Optometrists, you should have an eye test every two years. Depending on your age, or if you have any known sight problems or illnesses that affect vision, you may need one more often. Ask your optometrist or GP for more advice.
Some people are only mildly short-sighted and need to wear glasses or contact lenses only occasionally, such as when driving. Others need to wear glasses or contact lenses all of the time.
Young children may not realise that they have blurred vision. If a child frowns or squints a lot, or has trouble seeing the TV, then he or she might have myopia.
Myopia is usually diagnosed by reading a standard chart (called a Snellen chart) from a distance of six metres. The chart has large letters at the top and small ones at the bottom.
Treatment
Glasses and contact lenses
Short-sightedness can usually be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses. Some people wear contact lenses, but others feel more comfortable in glasses. Your optometrist will discuss with you what options are available.
Contact lenses tend to be more expensive than glasses, and you have to be comfortable touching your eyes to use them. They need to be kept clean and some types require a lot of care. A popular type of modern contact lens is the daily disposable contact lenses, which are worn for one day and then thrown away. When you wake up the next morning you put in a brand new pair. There is no cleaning or storing with these lenses.
Glasses are usually recommended for children. They are also easier than contact lenses for older people. Glasses are also a better option for those people who find contact lenses fiddly and don't like touching their eyes.
Clarke and Lee passed fit for NSW
Michael Clarke and Brett Lee have been given the all-clear to return for New South Wales in Sunday's FR Cup match against Tasmania as they attempt to prove they are fit enough for Test selection. Clarke's back injury, which ruled him out of tours to South Africa and India, has continued to improve while Lee has overcome an elbow problem that forced him home early from India.
It will be Lee's first one-day game for his state since 2007 while Clarke last appeared in the format three years ago. The pair's selection means New South Wales have eight internationals to pick from for the game at North Sydney Oval.
Josh Hazlewood, the young fast bowler, and Burt Cockley, who was a replacement in India without playing a game, are also in the squad. Mitchell Starc, Ben Rohrer and Dominic Thornely have been dropped.
Victoria take on Western Australia in Melbourne on Saturday and have been hit by the withdrawal of the fast bowler Shane Harwood, who injured his right shoulder at training on Thursday. Harwood had surgery on the arm before the season and will be replaced by Steve Gilmour, who made his first-class debut last season.
New South Wales squad Phillip Hughes, David Warner, Phil Jaques, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich (capt), Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Brett Lee, Stephen O'Keefe, Stuart Clark, Burt Cockley, Josh Hazlewood.
Victoria squad Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Brad Hodge, David Hussey (capt), Aaron Finch, Michael Hill, Matthew Wade (wk), John Hastings, Glenn Maxwell, Darren Pattinson, Steve Gilmour, Bryce McGain.
Western Australia squad Wes Robinson, Marcus Stoinis, Marcus North (capt), David Bandy, Theo Doropoulos, Mitchell Marsh, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ashley Noffke, Aaron Heal, Brad Knowles, Brett Dorey, Michael Hogan.
Lee faces uphill battle for Test spot
Adrian Barath calm ahead of maiden tour
Adrian Barath: "It will be challenging for me playing against Australia, but as a player you will have to face them and this will be the first time for me."
Adrian Barath had reason to feel hard done by at not being selected for the tour of England this year, but was not putting too much thought to his impending Test debut. Barath, the promising Trinidad & Tobago batsman from whom much is expected, has had an outstanding regional first-class season (845 runs at an average of 44.47) and looks primed for a Test debut in the upcoming tour of Australia.
There were few nerves as far as the shift from Twenty20 to Test cricket was concerned. "Over the next couple of days I will be doing some batting in the nets and practicing and I will be practising even more when I get to Australia to make sure I am ready for the challenge,' he said.
The contract row that rumbled on for the past few months denied him a possible Test debut against Bangladesh, but Barath was keen to look ahead. "I got selected against Bangladesh this year and I did not play because of the unfortunate situation, but I am glad to see things back to normal, back to the full-strength West Indies team again," he said.
"I think everyone was waiting on that and it is a wonderful feeling for me to have this opportunity again to represent the region. It will be challenging for me playing against Australia, but as a player you will have to face them and this will be the first time for me but, hopefully, I can rise to the challenge and play each ball on its merit."
West Indies will play three Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth before returning for a one-day series in February.
Tillakaratne Dilshan suffers ankle injury
Sri Lanka allrounder Tillakaratne Dilshan has suffered an ankle sprain but it is unlikely to keep him from the first Test against India, beginning on November 16 in Ahmedabad. He picked up the injury at the indoor nets in Mumbai, where for the seond day running no play was possible at the practice match against the Board President's XI.
"It's a minor ankle sprain," Brendon Kuruppu, the Sri Lankan team manger, said. "He [Dilshan] batted today [in the indoor nets] for some time. He should be okay in a couple of days. As of now the reports are very positive. He has to see how it feels while practicing on the field. Hopefully he should be fit for the first Test.
"He's okay and there's no need to panic. We will assess the injury at the ground. He suffered the injury while playing a warm-up game [yesterday] at the MCA's indoor stadium."
Rain ruled out play on Thursday for the second straight day in the three-day practice game between the visiting Sri Lankans and the Indian Board's President's XI in Mumbai. Kuruppu, however, was not in favour of playing a limited-overs contest on the final day.
"We are going into a Test series," said Kuruppu. "The frame of mind is different for the two forms. One-dayers are not ideal preparation before Tests. We have got something out of two days in keeping fit and get the team spirit going. But we have missed out on getting a feel of the pitch and other natural conditions."
Sreesanth and Zaheer Khan recalled for Tests
Temperamental fast bowler Sreesanth has been given another chance to resurrect his stop-start career, after being selected in India's 15-man squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka. Weeks after being given a "final warning" for his poor on-field behaviour, Sreesanth is now a candidate to share the new ball with Zaheer Khan, who has recovered from his shoulder injury.
Sreesanth last played for India in 2008, and had his share of injuries and criticism over attitude in equal measure. During the time he spent out of the Indian team, Sreesanth played 10 first-class games for 28 wickets, including one five-wicket haul for Warwickshire, and 23 overs for no wickets against Andhra in his latest Ranji Trophy match. Clearly his selection is a gamble on promise over form. It is a big - bordering on generous - decision made by the selectors, and an equally big chance for Sreesanth to wash away all the criticism against him.
The decision to pick 15 players, and that too an extra batsman, raised questions about the selection. Usually for a home series, only 14 players are picked. And with the middle order set in stone, neither Vijay nor Badrinath has a realistic chance of starting in Ahmedabad. Now both of them will miss important Ranji Trophy matches, when only one was needed as injury cover, unless someone is sent back to domestic cricket on the morning of the Ahmedabad Test.
The selection also left the bowling unbalanced. MS Dhoni is not a fan of playing only two pace bowlers unless the pitch is extremely spin-friendly, and the selectors have given him only three fast bowlers to choose from. Zaheer Khan is coming back from injury, Ishant Sharma is in poor form, and Sreesanth is a completely unpredictable character. One bowling back-up would have been of more value than two batting back-ups. And what about Munaf? He has lost his Test place on the basis of 13 overs bowled in two ODIs against Australia, one of them on a flat Hyderabad pitch.
India squad: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, M Vijay, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra.
Jayasuriya's future under scrutiny
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