Luke Littler reflects on childhood eye surgery
Luke Littler has disclosed that he underwent significant corrective eye surgery during his childhood to address a condition called strabismus, reports BritPanorama. The 18-year-old, who currently holds the world darts championship title, experienced this condition—commonly referred to as cross eye or a squint—causing his eyes to point in different directions during his early years.
Without treatment, strabismus can lead to complications such as blurred vision, double vision, or the development of a lazy eye. Concerned about potential long-term effects, his parents, Anthony and Lisa, arranged for their son to have the procedure at Warrington Hospital when he was approximately four or five years old.
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 but now recognises its significance.
“I don’t have any memories of it now. But obviously it had to be done. And it got done,” he explained. Although Littler was indifferent about the operation as a child, he appreciates its necessity. “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 noted.
Strabismus affects approximately one in every 20 children across Britain, with the corrective procedure typically lasting around an hour under general anaesthesia. Littler expressed gratitude towards his local medical facility, emphasising the importance of supporting local healthcare providers. “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 stated.
Despite competing in a sport where precise vision is crucial, Littler confessed he does not undergo annual eye examinations. When asked about his last eye test, he replied, “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. The tension is palpable; in darts, as in life, the smallest factors can lead to vastly different outcomes.
