Detached Retina = end of fighting?

I had a detached retina as a result of macular degeneration like another guy mentioned. Had the sclera buckle surgery almost 15 years ago. Never gained back ANY vision and had to quit baseball and full contact sparring in my TMA classes. I'm legally blind in my right eye, and can never compete in MMA without the risk of permanent blindness in both eyes. A risk I am not willing to take. Alan Belcher plans to return to the cage after having my exact same surgery, and he is crazy for doing that IMO because he has a wife and young child. Sugar Ray Leonard did return from the injury, but I can't think of any other guys to do it. I began BJJ last year, and I am happy to be able to compete again on the physical level. Good luck TS
 
Call me a pussy but I wouldn't fight, I'd also start wearing headgear and heavier gloves when sparring.
 
Not worth it. You should stop sparrying, and just do bag, thai pads and focus, or become a ground grappler in order to keep on competition.
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It's possible to come back. Belcher came back from a complete tear. Requires surgery if caught early enough if on not mistaken
 
I was an amateur with poor vision/astigmatism. Fought until I my retina finally detached last year. Thankfully surgery was a success and I didn't lose any vision, but still have a lot of vitreous detachment and scarring. My recommendation would be unless you are a pro and making your living off of this not to spar or fight any more, especially at only 19.

*edit necro trolled lol
 
This is definately a cringe worthy story. Who hasnt had flashes of colour when hit hard to the head? I know for sure I have, Also had no clue it had anything to do with retinal detachment.
 
Detached my retina last xmas and after 6 months have decided to return to bjj classes. Difficult to get objective advice though; no one wants to advise that you do anything remotely risky these days. From what I've read though, wouldn't consider mma or anything involving headstrikes. Even the grappling is risky but suppose it's all about making informed choice based on own circumstances.
 
Maybe stick to training pads and bags for fun. If you feel the need to compete BJJ would be something to look into. But I'd personally stay away from fighting/sparring.
 
I would call it the end of fighting. Your eye will never be 100% healed and always a high risk of you going blind.

I wouldn't fight anymore. I know someone blind in one eye due to an attached retina and it isn't nice at all... they now have a glass eye.

It's your choice though.
 
haha i just notced the recent responses to this thread.

This was 5 years ago...i've had idk.. 5 more pro fights since then.

Eye is fine just a bunch of scaring in it, specialist could tell right away. Probably should have retired because since then since my records gone to shit haha. But I'll probably take another fight again this year.

But at the time it was pretty scary.
 
Colby18 said:
haha i just notced the recent responses to this thread.

This was 5 years ago...i've had idk.. 5 more pro fights since then.

Eye is fine just a bunch of scaring in it, specialist could tell right away. Probably should have retired because since then since my records gone to shit haha. But I'll probably take another fight again this year.

But at the time it was pretty scary.
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I remember reading this thread. It's good that you are ok and you are able to fight.
 
Thanks man. Don't really have any hopes or aspirations to make it to the big leagues any more...just plan to do it for the stress relief and love of punchin ppl in the face haha
 
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