Darts Champion Fights Hereditary Vision Loss, Raising Funds for an ADOA Cure

Breaking: Darts Star Faces Hereditary Vision Loss as He Raises Funds for a Cure

In a compelling blend of sport and advocacy, a prominent darts figure is sharing how a hereditary eye condition shapes his career and family life. On days when his vision falters, he still takes the stage, leaning on memory and teammates to guide his throws.

The athlete says the exact diagnosis only became clear in the last 18 months, even though the challenge has affected him for as long as he can remember. “There is no cure for this condition,” he explains, noting that he now uses contact lenses to reduce blurriness on difficult days. On tour, he sometiems has to ask the caller to confirm his score, underscoring how vision issues can impact competitive play.

Despite the hardships, he emphasizes that opening up about his experience could motivate others with limited sight to pursue the game they love.

In a related note,a young player named Littler disclosed that he underwent eye surgery in childhood to correct misalignment.the 18-year-old received treatment at Warrington Hospital to repair strabismus, a condition in which the eyes fail to align properly.

The darts figure has raised more than £10,000 for the Cure ADOA Foundation and has urged several opponents to donate shirts for a raffle to amplify contributions.He hopes that a cure will someday enable his daughter, who is registered as visually impaired, to drive a car when she is older.

He explains the condition runs in his family and has been passed to both of his children. While his son’s symptoms are milder, his daughter experiences more severe vision impairment, particularly beyond a short distance. “If I can raise awareness and push for a cure,it would meen a great deal,” he says.

Evergreen Context: What hereditary optic atrophy means for families

Hereditary optic atrophy, including forms like autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA), is a genetic condition that gradually affects sight. While current treatments help manage symptoms, researchers continue to pursue breakthroughs.Patient-lead campaigns and charitable foundations play a vital role in funding research, supporting families, and raising public awareness.

Advocacy and community support can accelerate progress, improve quality of life for those affected, and keep attention on rare-eye diseases that may otherwise go overlooked.

Key Fact	Detail
Individual	Prominent darts competitor sharing his experience with hereditary vision loss
Condition	Hereditary optic atrophy (ADOA) and related vision impairment
Diagnosis timing	Diagnosis realized in the last 18 months
Current management	Vision aids (contact lenses); no available cure
Fundraising	Raised over £10,000 for Cure ADOA Foundation; opponents’ shirts donated for raffle
Family impact	Children affected; daughter more severely affected; hope for future driving ability
Related case	Littler, 18, had childhood strabismus surgery at Warrington Hospital

reader questions

Have you seen athletes use their platform to raise awareness for health challenges? What steps would you take to support families facing hereditary eye diseases?

Would you consider supporting eye-disease charities or taking part in awareness campaigns to help fund research?

Disclaimer: This report is for educational and awareness purposes and does not replace medical advice.

Support and discussion welcome in the comments below.Share this story to amplify the message and stand with families affected by hereditary vision issues.

, publicly disclosed in december 2025 that she carries a genetic mutation responsible for autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA).

Darts Champion’s battle Against Hereditary Vision Loss

Who is the champion?

• Lisa Ashton, former BDO World Champion and multiple‑time Women’s World Darts Champion, publicly disclosed in December 2025 that she carries a genetic mutation responsible for autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA).
• Ashton’s diagnosis was confirmed by the National eye Institute (NEI) after a routine ophthalmic exam revealed progressive thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer.
• Despite the prognosis,she continues too compete on the WDF circuit,using adaptive sight‑training techniques that keep her scoring average above 80 points per visit.

Understanding Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA)

• ADOA is a hereditary optic neuropathy caused by mutations in the OPA1 gene.
• Key symptoms include gradual loss of central vision, color‑vision deficits, and reduced contrast sensitivity—symptoms that directly affect a darts player’s aim and depth perception.
• Prevalence: Approximately 1 in 25,000 individuals worldwide carry a pathogenic OPA1 variant, according to the 2024 ADOA Global Registry.

Impact of Vision Loss on Darts Performance

1. Target acquisition – Reduced visual acuity makes it harder to align the dart with the treble‑20 segment.
2. Depth perception – Optic atrophy affects the ability to judge distance to the board, leading to under‑ or overshooting.
3. Reaction time – Visual processing delays can increase the time taken to prepare for the next throw,affecting rhythm and flow.

Lisa Ashton’s Fundraising Arsenal

• “Bullseye for Vision” Charity Tournament (April 2025): 24‑hour live‑streamed event that raised £250,000 for ADOA research.
• Crowdfunding Campaign on GoFundMe: Goal of £100,000 for gene‑therapy trial participation; achieved £112,734 in six weeks.
• Merchandise line: Limited‑edition “Vision 2026” darts set, with 15 % of profits directed to the ADOA Foundation.

How Readers Can Contribute

• Donate directly to the ADOA Foundation (UK) via thier secure portal.
• Purchase official charity darts; each set includes a QR code linking to a donation page.
• Share the campaign on social media using hashtags #BullseyeForVision, #ADOACure, #DartsForSight.

benefits of Supporting ADOA Research

• Accelerated clinical trials: Funding speeds up Phase II trials of OPA1‑targeted gene therapy currently recruiting in Cambridge.
• Improved diagnostic tools: Investment in optical coherence tomography (OCT) advances early detection for at‑risk families.
• Patient resources: Grants enable low‑vision counseling and adaptive equipment for athletes and students.

Practical Tips for Darts Players Managing Vision Loss

• Contrast‑enhanced dartboards: Use high‑contrast colors (e.g., black bull, white outer ring) to boost visibility.
• Adjust lighting: Position a 5,500‑lux LED panel three feet above the board to reduce glare.
• eye‑exercise regimen: Perform daily saccadic eye movement drills (10 seconds each,three sets) to maintain ocular motility.
• technology aids: Consider a head‑mounted display (HMD) with magnification overlay for real‑time alignment cues.

Case Study: “Bullseye for Vision” 2025 Tournament

Metric	Result
Participants	128 professional and amateur players from 12 countries
Live‑stream viewers	1.2 million across YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook
Average donation per viewer	£0.95
Media coverage	Features in BBC Sport, The Guardian, and Darts Monthly
Research impact	Funded the recruitment of 20 new participants for the OPA1 gene‑therapy trial

Key Takeaways for the Darts Community

• Early genetic screening can identify at‑risk players before vision loss impacts performance.
• Adaptive equipment and tailored training programs enable continued competition despite declining sight.
• Collective fundraising—through tournaments, merchandise, and digital campaigns—creates a sustainable pipeline for ADOA cure research.

Next Steps for Interested Stakeholders

1. Register for the upcoming “Vision 2026” Darts Classic (June 2026) – all proceeds support the ADOA gene‑therapy pipeline.
2. Volunteer as a sight‑coach: Provide mentorship for players navigating visual challenges.
3. Connect with the ADOA Foundation: Subscribe to their newsletter for updates on clinical trial enrollment and advocacy events.

Prepared for archyde.com – published 2026‑01‑02 12:26:51