With documentaries such as Game of Throws: Inside Darts and players like Luke Littler making headlines, more people are taking an interest in professional darts. It might be assumed that, in addition to a steady arm and calm temperament, good eyesight would be essential for any professional. However, Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) player Ryan Searle, currently World No19, proves that this is not the case.
Nicknamed “Heavy Metal” due to his love of rock music, Searle competes at the highest level despite having Dominant Optic Atrophy (DOA). DOA is a rare inherited eye condition which affects the cells in the retinal and optic nerve, which transfers the visual information from the eye to the brain. DOA can cause progressive visual loss, defects in the visual field and colour perception.
Searle has had to adapt his game to compensate for his impaired vision. He often struggles to see where his darts land and frequently relies on referees to confirm his scores. Although he wears contact lenses, they provide little help.
Searle hopes his success can inspire others with vision impairments, demonstrating that determination and perseverance can help overcome obstacles. His achievements in the sport already include reaching the last 16 of the PDC World Championships three times and making it to the final of the 2021 Players Championship. With his skill and resilience, there is no reason why he cannot claim a major title in the future.
