Joe Johnson is seeking a "patient optician" in a bid to revive his snooker career.

The former world champion, who is now 52 in the rankings, says: "My contact lenses have been blurring up all season.

"I have an astigmatism, and need a patient optician - not someone who puts a pair of contact lenses in and says 'There you can see now.'"

The 45-year-old added: "Some will say I have had my time, but it is frustrating to lose when I know I can play better.

"I suppose I have three options - going back to playing in glasses, staying as I am with contact lenses or, best of all, having laser treatment and then using contact lenses.

"Last season I was only three or four wins away from getting back in the top 32.

"But then I had my third heart attack in early January, 1997 and couldn't practice for my last three tournaments.

"I was then ranked in the 30s, but now I am fighting to stay in the top 64 - my provisional ranking before the Thailand Masters was 58.

"I know the ability is still there and feel I can get back into the top 16."

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