RYAN SEARLE has admitted he can’t always see where all his darts land due to a serious eye condition.
The PDC darts star, 37, is currently the World No19 and reached the fifth round at this year’s UK Open.
PARyan Searle has opened up on his health issues[/caption]
GettyHeavy Metal suffers from a genetic eye condition that gives him blurry vision[/caption]
Searle, known as Heavy Metal for his love of rock music and chunky 34g arrows, suffers from Dominant Optic Atrophy.
The genetic condition causes him blurred vision, with the 37-year-old admitting he has “learned to live” with its effects.
Searle explained to Darts News: “DOA basically means there’s reduced blood flow to my damaged optic nerve.
“Because of that, the connection between what I see on my retina and what my brain processes isn’t as strong, which causes blurred vision.
“I’d love to have better eyesight, but there’s nothing that can be done about it.
“It’s a genetic condition that runs in my family. I wear contact lenses now, but they don’t help much.
“I’ve learned to live with it, but it does affect me – I can’t always see where my dart lands.
“That’s why you’ll often see me asking the referee what I’ve thrown.”
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Searle is currently ranked as the World No19 and has reached the last-16 at the World Championship on three occasions.
He added: “I hope it can be an inspiration for people with vision impairments.
“To show them that even with those challenges, you can still chase your dreams.”
Despite his rise up the rankings, the 37-year-old is yet to win a major TV tournament.
Searle came closest in 2021, losing in the Players Championship Finals to Peter Wright.
He continued: “It’s strange because I don’t really focus on winning tournaments, and money definitely doesn’t motivate me.
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 – Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 – Glasgow: Littler beat Humphries 6-5
Night 3 – Dublin: Price beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 4 – Exeter: Humphries beat Littler 6-4
Night 5 – Brighton: Littler beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 6 – Nottingham: Price beat Littler 6-3
Night 7 – Cardiff: Littler beat Van Gerwen 6-4
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
“I’m just grateful that I can call myself a professional darts player.
“But I know I need to change that mindset. And that’s not the only issue – I struggle with concentration as well.
“If I could focus better, I know I could win a major.
“There’s no reason I can’t claim a big title. I’m just as good as anyone else.
“But mentally, I let myself slip sometimes.”
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