England’s Euro 2025 final hero Hannah Hampton might never have made it onto the pitch if early medical advice had been correct. Diagnosed at birth with strabismus — commonly known as a squint — Hampton was once told she might never compete in elite-level sport.
Yet the 24-year-old goalkeeper played a vital role in England’s win over Spain, saving two penalties and earning praise for her confident handling, lightning-fast reactions, and commanding presence in the box.
Strabismus is a condition where the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. Around 2–3% of children are affected. If left untreated, it can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) and the loss of stereo depth perception — the ability to judge depth accurately, particularly at close range.
Hampton was diagnosed early and underwent three surgeries by the age of three in an effort to correct the condition. While the treatments didn’t fully resolve the issue, they helped minimise its impact — particularly on the football pitch.
Children with strabismus often learn to ignore input from the affected eye to avoid double vision, which can result in poor depth perception at close distances. This can make everyday tasks like pouring water or catching a ball more difficult.
Fortunately for athletes like Hampton, stereo depth perception plays a far lesser role at longer distances. This means her ability to track long passes or judge the trajectory of a football from 20 yards out is largely unaffected.
Early detection is key, and experts urge parents to seek assessment from an optometrist if they notice a squint in their child. Treatment options vary depending on the cause but may include:
Hannah Hampton’s journey from childhood eye surgery to international football stardom is nothing short of remarkable. Her presence in England’s starting XI — and her standout performance in the final — is proof that early diagnoses do not always define a child’s future.
