Curry couldn't see the court clearly

For years, Steph Curry played elite basketball while squinting through games with undiagnosed keratoconus, a rare progressive eye disease causing blurry and distorted vision.

A friend's observation changed everything

A friend watching Curry on television noticed him squinting constantly and suggested he get his eyes checked. That casual comment led to his keratoconus diagnosis about eight years ago.

“The only reason I went to go get checked is because a friend of mine was watching a game and saw me on TV just squinting the entire time the camera was on me.”

He'd been compensating without knowing

Curry had adapted so well to his blurred vision that he didn't realize anything was wrong. He found workarounds and kept playing, unaware of what clear vision actually felt like.

“I was compensating so much to get around that blurred vision and whatever that reality was.”

Corrected vision was shocking

Once his vision was properly corrected, Curry spent two weeks pointing out details he'd never seen before, from dust particles to distant objects. The transformation felt incredible.

“I was like, 'This is what everything's supposed to look like?'”

Vision affects athletic performance

For one of basketball's most precise shooters, clear vision likely supported his longevity and performance on court. The correction may have been more important to his career than he initially realized.

Athletes are trained to compensate

Curry acknowledges that the mentality that made him elite also delayed his diagnosis. Athletes are conditioned to adjust to pain and changes rather than investigate them.

“It's part of my stubbornness in why it took so long to actually get screened.”

Keratoconus has no finish line

Unlike most health issues, keratoconus can progress over time, so Curry now gets his eyes checked every six months to monitor stability. There's no endpoint, just ongoing management.

“You don't really know where it is. It's very vulnerable in those moments when you're getting feedback about your health.”

Warning signs appear in young people

Keratoconus typically emerges during adolescence or early adulthood, with blurry vision, distorted images, and frequent prescription changes as common warning signs. Family history also increases risk.

Higher rates in certain populations

Research shows keratoconus occurs at higher rates among Black and Hispanic populations, adding another reason for Curry to push awareness among young people and their families.

Curry partners with Glaukos for awareness

Curry is now working with medical company Glaukos on the Could It Be KC campaign to help people recognize keratoconus signs and talk to eye care providers about potential symptoms.

He's writing a children's book

Curry is bringing his keratoconus experience to younger audiences through a picture book called Eye on the Ball, inspired by his own journey with the condition.

Eye health should be routine

Curry's main message is that eye health deserves a place on everyone's yearly health checklist. Regular comprehensive eye exams can catch changes before they become serious problems.

“Just that it's okay if it's a part of your normal yearly checklist of things that you're taking care of and prioritizing.”

Training changes at age 38

At 38 and entering his 18th NBA season, Curry's approach to training has shifted from marathon sessions to data-driven, recovery-focused work with more frequent but shorter efforts.

“There's never really an off switch, but I'm never really doing the six-hour gauntlets that I used to.”

Longevity requires knowing your body

Curry now understands that maximizing performance means knowing what his body needs, recognizing what deserves attention, and understanding when he's done enough. Vision is now part of that equation.

“There is a threshold that you understand over time based on the process that makes you feel the most prepared.”

Early detection prevents regret

Curry reflects that he could have faced years of regret and frustration had he not gotten his eyes checked. You can't address a problem you don't know exists.

“I can only imagine the regret or the frustration or bitterness I'd have had I not gotten checked.”