Mark Williams has admitted he is “scared” to undergo eye surgery, fearing that corrective treatment could prematurely end a snooker career that remains remarkably competitive despite increasingly impaired vision.
The three-time world champion, now 50, has spoken candidly for more than a year about a deterioration in his sight, describing how “every single shot seems blurry” and conceding that “my eyes have gone”.
Yet, even with the worsening condition, he remains one of the circuit’s most resilient performers - which has only deepened his anxieties about medical intervention.
Williams booked lens-replacement surgery earlier this year in an effort to address the decline, but once he unexpectedly reached the World Championship final in May - his fifth appearance in the Crucible showpiece - he postponed the operation.
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He has delayed it three more times since.
Now, on the brink of his return to this year’s UK Championship, he faces a dilemma: undergo a procedure he knows he needs, or continue playing through a level of visual distortion that has already cost him frames.
“My eyes are getting worse. Every five, six months I can notice them getting worse,” Williams said.
Mark Williams has been in fine form in 2025 despite his eye issues
| PAHe has spent long spells on the practice table with former professional Lee Walker in an attempt to adapt his technique.
“I have been doing stuff on a practice table with Lee Walker to try and play in a way where it helps my eyes out a bit," he added. "If something is really close to going in, I can’t see if it goes or not.
“I’ve done it a few times now. It’s cost me frames where I don’t think it goes and then the other player gets on the same shot and he just pots it.”
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Five quirky facts about snooker | PADespite recognising that the surgery may be necessary, Williams acknowledged his fear of complications.
“What can I say? I’m afraid to get it done,” he admitted.
“I paid my deposit. I postponed it three times. I was supposed to go in November again. I’ve postponed it again until January. But I’m just scared because if I do it and it doesn’t go well, that’s the end of my career.”
What complicates his decision is that, even with impaired sight, Williams has continued producing consistently strong results.
“For some reason, even though I’m struggling with my eyes, I’m still doing alright," he stated. "I’m still getting to the latter stages. I won a tournament this year at 50.”
His run to the Crucible final, where he lost to Zhao Xintong, also disrupted his resolve.
Mark Williams remains a formidable force on the snooker circuit
| PA“Probably getting to the final of the World Championship against Zhao Xintong probably did me in a bit," he conceded.
"Because I was having it done a week or two after that. By getting to that final, it’s put me off a bit and I just keep postponing it.”
Williams insists that he will only commit to surgery if his results collapse.
“If my form really goes downhill and I can’t win a game, I’ll get it done," he vowed. I just can’t bring myself to do it at the minute. I’m not going to play any better than I am, even if I’ve got perfect eyesight.”
His openness has been met with scepticism in parts of the sport, with critics questioning how a player who struggles to see the pockets can continue to pot centuries or win titles.
Williams brushed off the scrutiny with trademark bluntness. “Honestly, I couldn’t give a s**t,” he said. “I read online that some were saying there’s nothing wrong with my eyes. Who cares what other people think? I don’t. I don’t care. All I can say is I don’t wear glasses every day for the fun of it.”