Ryan Searle struggles with a genetic eye condition

Ryan Searle, a professional darts player ranked World No. 19, has revealed he struggles with a serious eye condition. The 37-year-old, known for his love of rock music and heavy darts, suffers from Dominant Optic Atrophy. This genetic condition causes him blurry vision, making it difficult for him to see where his darts land. Searle shared that there is reduced blood flow to his optic nerve, which weakens the connection between his eyes and brain. Although he wears contact lenses, they don’t significantly improve his vision. He has had to adapt to this challenge, often asking referees to confirm his scores during matches. Despite his health issues, Searle remains optimistic. He hopes to inspire others with vision impairments by demonstrating that it is possible to pursue one’s dreams despite obstacles. Over his career, he has reached the last-16 stage of the World Championship three times, although he has not yet won a major tournament. His closest attempt was in 2021 when he finished as a runner-up at the Players Championship. Searle emphasized that winning is not his main focus. He expressed gratitude for being a professional player and is aware that he needs to improve his concentration during games. He believes that with better focus, he could have the potential to win a major title.