Marcus Smart nearly lost sight from infection; plans return soon

The Celtics’ defensive specialist came close to losing vision permanently with a nasty eye infection, but anticipates a return soon.

For a little while, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart worried he might lose his sight.

Already out to a variety of illnesses and injuries, the Texan developed a severe eye infection which spread from one to both eyes instead of healing in the usual seven-to-ten day period his doctors anticipated.

At first, they thought it could be the result of an allergic reaction, but soon realized it was viral, specifically conjunctivitis — and the worst they’d ever seen.

As it spread, concern arose it could permanently damage his vision should it affect the back of his corneas, reports the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach.

“It was painful, it was burning, it was really hard,” explained Smart. “I couldn’t see. I had outdoor sunglasses everywhere. Even in the dark I was wearing sunglasses.

“It was that bad,” he added.

It was literal torture for his doctors to care for him, requiring prying open eyes crusted shut with the pus his eyes generated to flush the virus out of his system.

“I was bleeding tears every time they did it, for like a day … They did that for about four days straight. The first day was probably the worst, just because it built up so much that it started to scab under my eyelids, and they had to open the scab and then pull it out. It felt like they were putting needles in my eyes”

Now nearly back to normal — but six pounds lighter for his efforts — the Oklahoma State product feels about 80 % of his usual self. He doesn’t expect to play in Friday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but could perhaps return for the home rematch with the Toronto Raptors.

While the ordeal was a terrible one, it did force the always-ready Smart to rest long enough to get entirely healthy, something the Flower Mound native was having difficulty letting himself do before the infection nearly robbed him of his sight.

It goes without saying that the 25-year-old would prefer an alternate path to complete health in the future, though. “It was the worst pain that I’ve been through in a very long time,” Smart said.

“I don’t wish it on anybody. But I’m here. My eyes feel better.”