Crow Rory Sloane could wear goggles to return to AFL after eye injury

As Rory Sloane plots his return from a second detached retina surgery, the Crow could look to emulate a premiership Magpie to protect himself in what is expected to be his final season.

Adelaide veteran Rory Sloane will look at getting goggles to protect his eyes as he plans his return from a second detached retina surgery.

Sloane, who underwent his latest procedure a week ago, would be following in similar footsteps to Collingwood’s Mason Cox if he donned eyewear during trainings and games.

Cox has worn prescription glasses since 2022 after a spate of career-threatening eye injuries.

Sloane has had six eye issues during his 255-game career, including a previous detached retina surgery in 2021.

Rory Sloane details his eye surgery. Picture: Instagram

Sloane’s expected final season has come under threat. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Preparing for what was expected to be his final season, the former Crows skipper planned to resume light walking, stretching and beach visits next week.

“I’ll probably look into getting some goggles at some point,” Sloane told Adelaide’s website.

“That’s probably the most responsible thing for me to do now after a couple of these injuries, look at what prevention methods I can.”

Sloane, 33, lost some of his peripheral vision early last week, leading to his latest operation.

“Smithy (Brodie Smith) nearly cleaned me up one day and I didn’t even see him coming,” he said.

“I’ve always been pretty aware of what’s going on with my eyes so once that happened I booked in for a check-up.”

Sloane was home-bound for five days during his initial recovery.

He likened his surgery to a poster falling off a wall and needing to be stuck back on.

Magpie Mason Cox has worn protective glasses. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“The way they do that is they dry ice it with a dry ice gun,” he said.

“That sticks the retina back to the wall and like anything that you stick anything on a wall, you need pressure for it to set.

“The way they do that is they inject a gas bubble into your eye.

“It’s not the most comfortable surgery and you’re awake the whole time.”

Sloane said he was lucky because he was able to lay on his back, side and on the couch, as well as by his swimming pool, as he recovered.

“I’ve heard of people lying face down on massage tables for five to seven days,” he said.

Sloane described his past week as “very lazy”.

He listened to podcasts and read books to help pass the time.

Originally published as Crow Rory Sloane could wear goggles to return to AFL after eye injury