Luke Littler has disclosed that he underwent significant corrective eye surgery during his childhood to address a condition called strabismus.
The 18-year-old, who currently holds the world darts championship title, experienced the condition – commonly referred to as cross eye or a squint – which caused his eyes to point in different directions when he was young.
Without treatment, strabismus can result in complications including blurred vision, double vision, or the development of a lazy eye.
His parents, Anthony and Lisa, were worried about potential long-term effects and arranged for their son to have the procedure at Warrington Hospital when he was approximately four or five years of age.
Reflecting on the surgery, Littler said: “I think it’s called Bog Eye when you’ve got one normal eye.
“I think that’s the last time I was in that hospital, when I was four or five. Obviously got it sorted.”
The teenager admitted he has no recollection of the procedure itself.
Luke Littler has disclosed that he underwent significant corrective eye surgery during his childhood to address a condition called strabismus
|
PA
“I don’t have any memories of it now. But obviously it had to be done. And it got done,” he explained.
While Littler was indifferent about the operation as a young child, he now recognises its importance.
“My mum and dad wanted that sorted. When I was younger, I didn’t really care. But now you look at it, obviously it was a good thing to get done,” he added.
Five facts to know about Luke Littler | PA/GETTY
When Littler first emerged as a darts sensation a couple of years ago, footage of him throwing darts while wearing a nappy as a toddler became widely shared online.
Those viral images also revealed the visible effects of his eye condition.
“Your eyes are really important,” Littler noted.
“There are pictures that me and my family put online (from that time). I was very tired at the time, obviously resting. But yeah, now we’re all good.”
Strabismus affects approximately one in every 20 children across Britain, with the corrective procedure typically lasting around an hour under general anaesthetic.
The young champion expressed gratitude towards his local medical facility.
Luke Littler will go up against Mensur Suljovic at the World Darts Championship this evening
|
PA“It’s my home-town hospital. They do an unbelievable job down there so I think it’s really important to go and support them when I can,” he said.
Despite competing in a sport where precision is paramount and fortunes can hinge on the smallest of margins, Littler confessed he does not undergo annual eye examinations.
When asked about his last eye test, the teenager responded: “The last time I had one? Maybe when I was at the hospital.”
He explained his approach to eye health: “Not even with darts, obviously with any normal person, if you start to go blurry or something, then that’s when you have to go to the doctors. So yeah, fingers crossed nothing happens.”
Littler returns to the Alexandra Palace oche this evening, where victory over Mensur Suljovic would secure his place in the last 16 as he bids to retain his world crown.
Whether he can continue his bid for more glory remains to be seen.
