Vision or Bust: Stuart Bingham’s Daring Surgery to Reignite Snooker Spark
Former snooker world champion Stuart Bingham is set to undergo lens replacement surgery in a bold move to extend his professional career. The 49-year-old, known affectionately as “Ball Run,” believes deteriorating vision has been impacting his recent performances and sees the procedure as a last roll of the dice to stay competitive at the top level.
Bingham, who recently bowed out of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in the last 16 after a narrow loss to Elliot Slessor, will have the operation later this month once he’s recovered from travel fatigue. He revealed the decision comes after months of frustration on the table and a noticeable decline in his eyesight over the past three to four months.
“It’s got to the point where I’ve tried everything else,” said Bingham. “I’ve noticed my eyes getting worse, which might be linked to confidence, but this surgery could be the key I’ve been looking for.”
The surgery is part of a wider health overhaul for the Basildon-born player, who has dropped three and a half stone through weekly fat-loss injections and now weighs 14.5 stone. Currently ranked 21st in the world, Bingham is hoping these changes can breathe new life into his game.
He joked about the decision, saying fellow pro Judd Trump called lens replacement “something for old people,” to which he replied, “You cheeky sod.” Still, he’s optimistic about the benefits, both on and off the table.
“It’s like throwing the dice. But even if it doesn’t help my game, it will definitely improve my life away from snooker,” Bingham added, citing Anthony Hamilton as another pro who has undergone the same procedure successfully.
