New Fitness Solution: Implanted Contact Lenses

Tired of having to deal with glasses and contact lenses when you exercise? They're definitely a pain in the butt, especially when you lose one while working out or playing a sport.

Luckily, a new vision solution is in the works: Tiny, surgically installed lenses could soon replace eyeglasses, contact lenses, and laser surgery for extreme nearsightedness.

When 369 volunteers tried investigational intraocular lenses (IOLs), 56 percent had 20/20 vision and another 39 percent had nearly perfect sight, report researchers from Oregon Health & Science University.

One IOL advantage: They can be removed and replaced. Good candidates have moderate to severe nearsightedness. The procedure takes 10 minutes, costs $2,200 to $2,500 per eye, and should be FDA approved in 2004.