Amar'e Has Eye Surgery

Phoenix Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire underwent successful surgery today to repair a partially detached retina in his right eye. The procedure was performed earlier this morning by Dr. Pravin Dugel at Spectra Eye Institute in Sun City, Arizona.
“We are very glad to hear that Amar’e should have a 100 percent recovery relative to his vision and his long-term prognosis is excellent,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr. “Obviously, it is very disappointing to lose him at this time. We are all very excited about the progress the team is making, but Amar’e’s health and the health of all our players is our number one concern.”
Stoudemire’s return to physical activity is estimated at eight weeks depending upon his healing process. Dr. Dugel stresses that recovery varies on a case-by-case basis.
Phoenix’s leading scorer for the third-straight season, Stoudemire has played in all 53 games and is averaging a team-high 21.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.08 blocks and 2.0 assists. One of only two Suns to appear in every game (53) this season, Stoudemire became the youngest Suns player to reach 9,000 career points on Feb. 6.
The Phoenix Suns host the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at 7 p.m. at US Airways Center.





This isn't the first time that Stoudemire has had eye surgery. He did once hav this surgery on his eye before a few years ago. Obviously you're vision is a huge thing when it comes to being a professional athlete. Amar'e is said to be out 8-12 weeks with the 8 weeks at best. The thing is, if Amar'e has had eye surgery before, why not wear protective eye-wear with this? I know Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons had a broken nose maybe 5-6 years ago and today he still wears a protective mask to cover his broken nose. Amar'e COULD have prevented this by possibly wearing eye cover. We shall see how he recovers in the coming weeks.

Irregular Heartbeat Makes Major Leaguer Leave Early

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Astros left-hander Mike Hampton returned to Houston on Monday after a routine physical turned up a minor irregularity in his heartbeat.
Spring Training Blog
Check our daily spring training blog with updates on everything our team of writers and analysts are seeing and hearing at the ballpark, plus news tidbits from around the baseball world. Hampton was to be examined by team physician Dr. Jim Muntz before undergoing a procedure to correct the heartbeat with an electrical current. The Astros hope to have him back in camp Thursday.
"From what I understand, it's not an uncommon condition and it's not an uncommon procedure he's going to go through," general manager Ed Wade said. "Other than travel time back and forth between here and Houston, we don't expect him to miss any time."
The 36-year-old Hampton has had a hard time staying healthy the past four years. He missed most of 2005 with five stints on the disabled list, then was out all of 2006 (elbow surgery) and all of 2007 (torn flexor tendon). He has 141 career victories, but just eight in the past four years.
Astros manager Cecil Cooper said Hampton has thrown the ball well so far in camp. He wasn't scheduled to throw Monday after consecutive days of bullpen sessions, and left camp without speaking to reporters.
The irregularity showed up on a heart test during a physical Saturday after pitchers and catchers reported for camp.
"It didn't seem like it's a major, major issue, but you never know until you actually get it checked out," Cooper said.
Closer Jose Valverde, last year's NL saves leader, went to the hospital Monday because of an inflamed right forearm that was diagnosed as an infection from an apparent insect bite. He was given antibiotics and isn't expected to be sidelined by the injury.
"It was a little bit of concern earlier today. Apparently he's going to be OK," Cooper said. "We did have a couple scares, but it looks like everybody is going to be fine."

This is always a scary thing to happen to athletes; especially at the age of 36. Mike Hampton has always been in some sort of injury plagued season over the past few years. There's nothing that could have prevented this for the most part. Possibly Hampton hasn't been taken care of himself with his cholesterol or any other condition in which the heart would act in this erratic way. Seeing as how Hampton is a professional athlete, it would be hard to assume such a thing. These kinds of things just makes us pay more attention and use more caution when acting upon foods or any other possible heart related issues.