Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks revealed he "might need an eye patch" as he faces up to a recurring health issue.
Speaking on his own Staying Relevant podcast, 36-year-old Pete shared his childhood struggle with a lazy eye, revealing that it earned him the nickname "Pirate Pete" from his mum after treatment involved wearing an eye patch.
The reality television personality and former The Only Way is Essex star disclosed that while the initial use of the patch rectified the issue, it seems his eye has begun to drift with age. Consequently, Pete is now considering seeking expert medical guidance on how to address it.
Pete explained: "I may have to go back to having an eye patch. I used to be called 'Pirate Pete', it was a f***** nickname because I looked like I'd washed up on a desert island but actually it was my mum who first called me that when I was a kid because I had a lazy eye."
"When I used to get tired or whatever...I had an eye patch to try and correct it, and it did. I spent about six months."
Wicks also candidly spoke about his school days when fellow pupils would mock his eye patch. He confessed that his younger self would resort to physical retaliation against the bullies, reports Surrey Live.
Pete continued: "But, the bad eye is coming back. As I'm getting older, it's starting to go for a little walk now and then.
"So, I have to go and see an eye specialist about whether or not we can re-train it, or if I'm going to have to have some sort of surgery."
Pete disclosed that his Kiss radio colleague and pal, Olivia Attwood was the one who initially noticed something amiss with his eye. His fellow Staying Relevant co-host Sam Thompson also admitted Pete's eye hadn't escaped his attention either.
In response, Sam commented: "I think we've all noticed the lazy eye mate, to be honest. You can see around corners."
Pete has plans to have his eye condition examined soon, expressing his reluctance at potentially having to wear an eyepatch again: "If I have get the eye patch again, it's not going to be great is it? I almost want to say skip the eye patch and go straight for the surgery."
According to the NHS , a lazy eye - known as amblyopia - is when one of the eyes doesn’t develop properly. In rare cases, both eyes can be affected.
How to check if you have a lazy eye?
A lazy eye does not always present with symptoms. It can often be diagnosed during a trip to the opticians.
There are however some symptoms that can show. The NHS says these include:
shutting one eye or squinting when looking at things
eyes pointing in different directions (a squint)
not being able to follow an object or person with your eyes
tilting your head when looking at something
having tired eyes and rubbing your eyes a lot
headaches
difficulty catching or throwing
tripping or falling over a lot
blinking a lot
Many children do not notice anything wrong with their vision.
Younger children can be tested by covering an eye with your hand - one at a time - and seeing if they complain when you cover their good eye. While older children may say they cannot see as well through one eye, the NHS explains.
What are the treatments for a lazy eye?
The NHS says there are treatments for a lazy eye, including wearing glasses to correct your vision. It also recommends an eye patch for a few hours a day.
Other treatments include using eye drops that can temporarily blur vision in the stronger eye. Treatment should ideally start when the vision is still developing. Although you could still need surgery, the NHS says.
The NHS says you should speak to your optician if you have concerns or haven’t had an eye test in two years.
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