Mark Boucher, the former South Africa cricketer, says he will be out of the game for some time after undergoing a series of operations to restore sight to his left eye.
Boucher lost the lens, iris and pupil in the eye injury which forced him to announce his international retirement from cricket last month.
The 35-year-old, who played in 147 tests and completed a world record 555 test dismissals, suffered a lacerated left eye after being struck by a bail during the Proteas' warm-up match against Somerset in England last month.
Boucher says he was looking forward to playing for provincial side Cape Cobras but says the risk of additional damage to his eye means he won't play be playing any professional cricket again in the near future.
Boucher says he is in the process of setting up a non-profit company which will help in the fight against rhinoceros poaching in South Africa and Africa.
He has also started a wine label with his friend, South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis.
