Can snooker players overcome poor eyesight after Mark Williams reveals vision of future?
By Desmond Kane
Published 18/03/2025 at 13:24 GMT
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Mark Williams has a vision for his snooker future after admitting he can no longer continue his career without addressing the issue of poor eyesight. The three-time world champion turns 50 on Friday, but is battling blurry vision despite completing a 6-2 win over Ding Junhui in the first round of the Players Championship in Telford. "My eyes have completely gone," said the Welshman.
Williams pots black one-handed to complete magnificent 136 and draw level with Ding
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mark Williams has said he plans to look at how he can restore his failing eyesight after next month's World Championship in Sheffield.
Despite admitting his vision has deteriorated in the past six months, Williams continues to enjoy some splendid returns on the table with a 6-2 win over Ding Junhui the first round of the Players Championship in Telford on Monday setting up a quarter-final with world champion Kyren Wilson.
"It is a good win for me because, if I am totally honest with you, my eyes have completely gone," Williams said. "For the last six months, it has deteriorated quite badly.Â
"It was just long ones that were blurry, but now everything is blurry."
Williams was only denied winning the Saudi Arabia Masters by Judd Trump 10-9 earlier this season, but lifted the Champion of Champions title with a 10-6 win over Xiao Guodong and is ranked at No. 5 in the world with the Welshman provisionally world No. 3 in the end of season rankings.
On the cusp of turning 50 on March 21, it is not form which is Williams' biggest concern, but ensuring he can continue to see the balls clearly enough to extend his golden 33-year professional career.
"It is a bit concerning but I have got to get on with it at the minute," said Williams, who has already qualified for the 12-player Tour Championship in Manchester later this month."I will see what happens after the Worlds.
"I will see about laser, or something that can be done. It's maybe the time to do it now."
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Williams is not the only player to struggle with vision as 2015 champion Stuart Bingham has tried to play with the aid of glasses and contact lenses in practice.
John Higgins has also conceded his eyes are getting worse in his 50th year, but is trying to hold off seeking treatment for the issue.
The four-time world champion did not display any weakness with a 10-6 win over Joe O'Connor in the World Open final in Yushan last month ending his four-year wait for a major title.
Once viewed as a serious problem for any snooker player, failing eyesight can be remedied in modern times with the help of laser eye surgery with world No. 1 Trump and Stephen Maguire both utilising the treatment.
Glasses also have their role to play with Dennis Taylor donning the most famous eyewear in the sport's history when he recovered from 8-0 and 9-1 down to edge Steve Davis 18-17 in the 1985 'black-ball' World Championship final.
The Northern Irishman was helped by former player and commentator Jack Karnehm, who used and designed the famous upside-down specs Taylor sported to win snooker's most memorable final.
"They made such a difference," said Taylor. "I could never have become world champion without them."
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