Vision Warrior of MLB Tommy Pham Tommy Pham has keratoconus, an eye condition in which the front part of his eye becomes thinner and changes shape, making it difficult to see clearly.
Tommy Pham delivered an exceptional performance on July 28, 2025, during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 6–5 win over the San Francisco Giants.
He hit a crucial RBI single in the second inning that helped extend the Pirates’ lead.
Additionally, on July 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pham made a remarkable sliding catch, showcasing his defensive skills.
Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder Tommy Pham’s Eye Condition Might Again Affect His Game!
During his Minor League tenure in 2008, Tommy began to notice poor pitch recognition, mistaking a slider for a fastball in Quad Cities.
In 2008, Tommy Pham was diagnosed with keratoconus, which is a rare eye condition. It causes contorted vision. Something he has dealt with his entire career.
— Logan Arblaster (@ArblasterLogan) June 23, 2025
This is about the only explanation on earth that is understandable for his performance.
Why is this just being said now? pic.twitter.com/se1Knn0lJO
Later that year, he was formally diagnosed with keratoconus, an eye condition in which the front part of his eye becomes thinner and changes shape, making it difficult to see clearly.
Despite learning about the condition, Tommy Pham felt some relief knowing it was his vision, not a mental issue, that had been affecting his performance.
As he began treatment, Tommy Pham learned more about his condition and became involved with the National Keratoconus Foundation to help support others facing a similar condition.
After undergoing the treatment, he discovered that glasses were not the solution, so he began using gas-permeable (rigid) contact lenses.
Due to this condition, Pham even carried a kit, including backup lenses, solution, hand sanitizer, and even a mirror, to adjust them mid-game if needed.
In late 2011, Pham underwent corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), a then‑experimental procedure in the U.S., involving ultraviolet light and riboflavin drops.
Tommy Pham credits his eye doctor for fine-tuning his contact lenses on Friday, allowing him to see better at the plate: pic.twitter.com/xD2QMr1Nmy
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 2, 2023
After the surgery, Pham said he finally felt a real chance to “see the ball,” crediting the procedure as pivotal in saving his career.
While with the Cardinals, he tested a new soft contact lens. Though vision clarity improved, the fit was imperfect, jiggling during play and causing blur.
After struggling with his lenses, Tommy Pham made a switch to a more suitable pair in 2023. He even shared his thoughts with the media, saying;
“I feel like I am seeing the ball better,. My eye doctor out here, she kind of fine-tuned my lenses for me and when I got my new lenses on Friday I felt like everything was way different in a good way. My other lenses from the spring had a little bit too much astigmatism. A little too much ‘residual cylinder’ is the term, and she kind of eliminated some of that for me, so now I can see.”
Despite going through multiple prescriptions, Tommy Pham continued to face vision struggles from time to time, though he managed to push through and adapt.
In June 2025, while with the Pirates, Pham admitted his season struggles were largely due to ineffective vision correction, stating:
“It’s been challenging … I’ve been making changes weekly … I think we’re heading in the right direction now. I’m pretty optimistic”
Despite facing challenges on the field due to his eye condition, Tommy Pham continues to compete at a high level and contribute to his team’s success.
In Case You Don’t Know
- Pham is one of the few players in MLB history of Vietnamese descent.
- His mother is Vietnamese, and he’s spoken about growing up in a multicultural household.
- Off the field, Pham enjoys poker and has competed in professional tournaments during the offseason.
