French ex-professional fights severe eye disease: "The doctor has indicated that in two years I might be blind"

Yoann Offredo is going through a difficult period. The former French professional cyclist is suffering from serious eye disease and could even go completely blind in a few years.

"One day I had a white spot in front of my eyes. I found an ophthalmologist and he said: it's not good. They then sent me to the emergency room. They poked my eye, that was intense. I ended up having to stay there for almost five weeks," the 38-year-old informs in a story for L'Équipe.

Despite various treatments, things went from bad to worse for Offredo. His eyesight 'suddenly deteriorated'. "We switched to intravenous corticosteroids to stop the inflammation. Then came another heavy treatment, but my eyesight kept getting worse."

"Every time I trusted the doctors completely. You get there and think: well, it's okay. I can still see more or less. And then they look at the other eye: oh shit, that's affected too. So I'm now going through life handicapped. The doctor has indicated that in two years I might be blind. I'm not yet at the stage where I can accept this."

Offredo spent thirteen seasons in the professional peloton from 2008 to 2020. The Frenchman rode for FDJ (2008-2016) and Wanty-Groupe Gobert (2017-2020) during his career and was mainly known as a good classics rider. His highlight was a seventh place at 2011 Milano-Sanremo. But he also rode to several top 20s at Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. He only achieved one professional victory though: a stage win at Tour de Picardie in 2009.