England star Hannah Hampton opens up on health condition and turning down surgery

Daily Record

4 days ago

England football hero Hannah Hampton has spoken about her eye condition, which she underwent multiple surgeries for in her younger years
England's football sensation, Hannah Hampton, has opened up about her ongoing battle with a long-term eye condition, revealing that despite multiple surgeries, her eyes are "still not straight".
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The Lioness goalkeeper played a pivotal role in England's recent Euros triumph, fending off numerous Spanish attempts during the penalty shoot-out.
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Despite suffering from strabismus - an eye condition that affects depth perception - the 24 year old has shown her mettle on the pitch. During her appearance on Good Morning Britain today, she confessed to still experiencing difficulties with her vision.
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Hannah disclosed that while further surgery for her eye condition is an option, she is reluctant to take the risk. This revelation comes after her triumphant Euros win, defying doctors who had previously told her she wouldn't be able to play football, reports the Mirror.
In conversation with GMB's Ed Balls and Kate Garraway, Hannah elaborated: "I was born cross-eyed, I had to undergo multiple surgeries from when I was three and obviously later to correct my vision. To put my eyes straight again, to see if it would help in any way.
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"They're still not straight. I can go back for more operations but there's always that risk that it won't improve your eyesight. It might make it worse. It's something you've got to weigh up."
When presenter Ed noted that things seem to be going rather well for the England star, she responded: "I know! So why change it if it's going well."
She later revealed how medics advised her to quit football as a youngster because of her vision problems. "The doctor said I shouldn't play sports because I don't have any depth perception, which basically [means] I can't judge distances.
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"Which as a keeper, I don't know how it works, but my parents never really told me until I was about 12 or 13 and I was already playing sport... and they would say 'this isn't normal, you shouldn't be doing that' but my parents always said 'if it makes her happy, we're not going to stop her' and I'm glad they didn't take the doctor's advice as I managed to live out my dream."
Earlier this week, the football ace disclosed that she had been coping with the devastating loss of her grandfather, who passed away just two days before the Euros kicked off. "Dear Grandpa," she posted on Instagram.
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"Two days before the biggest tournament of my life, you left. It still doesn't feel real.
"I kept thinking when I'd call nannie I'd hear your voice again - one of your jokes, or one of those little comments you'd make that somehow said everything without saying much at all. You were one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would look like."
She further expressed her sorrow that he wasn't able to see her debut at her first major tournament, stating: "But I know, deep down, you were still there. I felt you with me. In the tunnel. On the pitch. In the tough moments. I heard you in my head when I needed strength."