Jack Reed’s eye injury could leave him with blurred vision for the rest of his life
BRONCOS centre Jack Reed has revealed the extent of his freak eye injury, saying he could have blurred vision for the rest of his life.
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BRONCOS centre Jack Reed has revealed the extent of his freak eye injury, saying he could have blurred vision for the rest of his life.
The retina in Reed’s right eye was damaged when he was accidentally elbowed by Penrith forward Bryce Cartwright in Round 3.
Reed only missed one match after undergoing laser surgery but has been given no guarantees about making a full recovery.
The England Test centre has blurred vision and sees spots but the headaches he was suffering subsided following the procedure.
The 27-year-old, who will play his 121st NRL match against the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night, admitted he was uncertain about his vision returning to normal.
“I’m not too sure to be honest,” Reed said.
“It was a bit of a scary moment losing your vision.
“My vision’s still a little blurry but hopefully it settles over time ... the vision should come back, or it could be as it is for the rest of time.
“It’s a little bit blurry and spotty. It’s nothing too bad. My vision is still pretty much 20-20 and I’m able to play footy.”
Reed does not have to look far to see how serious eye injuries can be.
Broncos prop Josh McGuire is blind in his left eye, having suffered a detached retina in 2011.
The problem has not slowed down McGuire though, who is in the frame for a Test debut this year.
“Thankfully Jack’s injury wasn’t as bad as mine,” McGuire said.
“His wasn’t fully detached. He has a small cut in his whereas mine was torn apart.
“It is a scary thing for him.
“I am glad we don’t have two one-eyed players in the team, you wouldn’t want us beside each other.”
Reed returned from his fourth shoulder reconstruction in Round 2, having battled through two dislocations in Brisbane’s gutting grand final loss last year.
His immediate focus is to hit form for the Broncos but he also has the opportunity to impress coach Wayne Bennett, who will lead England at the Four Nations later this year.
“Everyone wants to play rep footy. It’s always a goal,” Reed said.
“Wayne’s coaching England and if I’m not playing for the club, then I’m not going to get a look-in there ...
“I haven’t really spoken to him about it. He’s too busy cracking his funny jokes.
“(But) I’d love to represent my country one day again.”
Originally published as Jack Reed’s eye injury could leave him with blurred vision for the rest of his life
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