Michael Owen and his son James have spoken out about the 17-year-old’s life with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition that can lead to severe visual impairment.

Speaking to the BBC Access All podcast, Michael said he would ‘pay every cent’ he had to make James see again, and even ‘swap eyes’ with him if he could.

James had hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps – and those of his grandad, former Everton player Terry Owen – but his parents noticed early in his career that something wasn’t right.

Although they could see he was a talented player, James’s parents also noticed that when not on the ball he sometimes struggled to track passes, or see what players were doing downfield.

When switching to bigger pitches, James said he struggled to compete and the games got too fast-paced.

Diagnosed when he was eight, James says his ‘central vision is blurry’.

‘I struggle with seeing different colours and different lights,’ he said, but added he has good peripheral vision – meaning things that are not directly in front of him.

Speaking to Access All host Emma Tracey, who is also blind, he shared tricks he had learnt to help manage the day-to-day.

‘I’ll notice what colour my dad’s jumper is,’ he said. ‘So if I ever go out, then I would be able to recognise him from the colour, not from his face because I struggle with detail.’

Michael and James will soon release their first documentary, Football Is For Everyone, following James’s life with sight loss and introduction to futsal, an adapted version of the sport for the visually impaired.

What is Stargardt disease?

Stargardt disease is a rare hereditary condition that affects one in 8,000 to 10,000 people.

The cause of the disease is generally genetic, caused by mutations in one of three genes.

In Stargardt’s, the light-sensitive layer of cells covering the back of the eye – the macular region – degenerate, causing loss of fine, central vision needed for seeing detail, like faces and watching TV.

What are the symptoms of Stargardt disease?

Symptoms of the condition typically develop before the age of 20 and include:

• A loss of detailed vision and colour perception
• Wavy vision
• Blind spots
• Blurriness
• Difficulty adapting to low light levels

Although people with Stargardt’s do not lose their peripheral (side) vision, many people will reach the point of severe vision loss.

How is Stargardt’s treated?

Unfortunately at the moment, the disease is untreatable – although there are lots of options currently being researched, including stem cell therapies. Europe’s first trial into stem cell treatment is currently underway.

UV-blocking sunglasses can also be worn to help protect the remaining vision.

Source: NHS

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