Photo: Peter Baba

Steph Curry has revealed that he was diagnosed with a rare eye condition during the Golden State Warriors’ championship run, after team president Bob Myers noticed him repeatedly squinting on the bench during a 2018 game.

Speaking to People, Curry recalled receiving a message from Myers after the game.

“It was 2018… Bob Myers texted me after the game because apparently the telecast kept showing me when I was on the bench, and he was like, ‘You’re just squinting, looking like you couldn’t see anything… You should probably go… get that checked out,’” Curry said.

Curry subsequently learned that he had keratoconus, a condition affecting the cornea that can progressively impair vision.

“They told me that I had a rare condition called Keratoconus,” Curry said. “What I found out about it was it’s a progressive condition that can deteriorate your vision over time and it’s irreversible if it goes in the wrong direction.”

The diagnosis came during one of the most successful periods of Curry’s career. Golden State had won the 2015 NBA championship and followed it with another title in 2017, before winning again in 2018.

Curry averaged 26.4 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 51 regular-season games during the 2017-18 season, shooting 42.3% from three-point range. The Warriors went on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals, completing their second championship in three seasons.

The following season, Curry remained one of the league’s most productive players, averaging 27.3 points and 5.2 assists while shooting 43.7% from three-point range. Golden State returned to the Finals but lost to the Toronto Raptors.

Despite dealing with the eye condition, Curry continued to perform at an elite level throughout the Warriors’ dynasty. He later helped Golden State win another championship in 2022, earning All-NBA honors that season.

Curry joked about the revelation when reflecting on how long he may have been dealing with vision issues.

“I joke that when I’m all done, my memoir should be called ‘The Whole Time I Couldn’t See,’” Curry said.

The four-time champion has remained one of the NBA’s most consistent stars throughout his career. Through 17 seasons, Curry has averaged 24.8 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 47.1% from the field, 42.2% from three-point range and 91.2% from the free-throw line.