MARK WILLIAMS has booked lens replacement surgery for June in the hope of prolonging his snooker career.
Over the past six months, Willo’s eyesight has “deteriorated quite badly”; and everything he sees is “blurry”;, including the .
is not eyeing another crown just yet, though he believes he can do “some damage to a lot of people”; in the competition.
His 70th saw him beat China’s Wu Yize 10-8 – there were a few “sneaky”; unorthodox break-offs – and there were no problems with his long potting.
But he has decided to have the op, which costs about £4,000 per eye, to correct his vision.
, 50, explained: “I’m seeing about three or four balls at a time. I tried playing with contacts but it’s very difficult. Really uncomfortable.
“I’m booked in on June 12 to get lens replacement. Hopefully, if that goes okay, it could extend my career for another 4-5 years anyway.
“If I don’t do something, I’ll only go down. It won’t get any better. Eventually, I’ll see five balls.
“I’ve lost 9-3 without the contact lens and then lost 10-3 with them in. My coach Lee Walker can choose – and I can blame him then, can’t I?
“I think the operation is only 20-25 minutes.
“It’s remarkable I can still play. In the last six months, I have noticed they got a lot worse. I have held off for as long as I can.
“I knew the day was coming that I’d have to do something about it. No point trying the big glasses. It’s the same as contacts.
“It would be funny if I did really well here – what do you do then? Cancel it? Lose my deposit?
“I’m short-sighted. But now, after getting tested, I’m long-sighted as well now. I need reading glasses.
“I’m not blind, everything is blurry. Even you, Rob, look quite handsome with my glasses off.
“I always have a pair of glasses in the car as I can’t see the number plate in front of me. Fingers crossed, the thing goes well.
“It was a great game. He’s an unbelievable potter. He has the potential to win this tournament, no question.”;
leads Chinese qualifier Fan Zhengyi 5-4 after he rallied from 3-0 down in the first session of their first-round clash.
