Anthony Davis to Wear Protective Goggles Following Offseason Eye Surgery
DALLAS – Anthony Davis will be required to wear protective eyewear for the duration of his NBA career after undergoing surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye, he confirmed Monday. The injury stemmed from an accidental elbow to the face during a game earlier this year.
Davis revealed the surgery was performed this summer after a routine checkup revealed the extent of the damage. He attributes the injury to an incident on April 2, when teammate Daniel Gafford‘s elbow connected with his face during a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Davis finished that game, scoring 34 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and blocking 5 shots, including hitting the game-winning shot.
“I think when Gaff elbowed me, it kind of caused some problems in my eye,” Davis said. “Then in the summer, I always get a routine checkup. Realized I had to have surgery.”
Despite the surgery, Davis has fully recovered and has been participating in 5-on-5 games at the Dallas Mavericks’ practice facility since late September. He is expected to be a full participant in training camp, which begins Tuesday in Vancouver, Canada.
“You guys will see me in the Horace Grants,” Davis joked, referencing the former NBA player known for his protective eyewear. “It won’t be like that. But I will have some protective eyewear for sure.”
Davis joined the Mavericks in February as part of the trade that sent luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. He appeared in nine games for Dallas before being sidelined for nearly six weeks with a left adductor strain.
Davis emphasized the team’s focus on health as thay pursue a championship. “I think we have a good ball club,” he stated. ”I think the biggest thing with our team is our health. Staying healthy. Other than that, I think we are going to be fine. I’m happy to be here. I’m excited to be here. I want to win here.”
Davis noted his eye currently appears red due to the medicated eye drops he is using, but confirmed his vision has been restored. “Eye feels great,” he said. “The redness, I have these drops I have to put in my eye, which causes a little redness and stuff. But the vision is back. I’m ready to go.”
