Veteran Melbourne prop Robbie Kearns may be forced to play the remainder of the NRL season with double vision in his left eye.

Kearns is desperate to get back on the park but is still suffering sight problems as a result of the fractured eye socket he suffered in a head clash with Penrith's Shane Rodney in round 17.

The 32-year-old, who had a plastic plate inserted in the socket, visited the specialist on Monday and was told his vision could take up to six months to return to normal.

"The doctor has said there's no long-term damage," said Kearns, who is optimistic he will resume playing in a fortnight, albeit with impaired sight.

"Structurally I can't hurt anything any more.

"He just said `you're going to have to grin and bear it'.

"I just have to get a bit of confidence up, catching balls and doing bits and pieces like that.

"It will come good, it's just a matter of waiting."

The bad news on Kearns couldn't have come at a worse time for Melbourne, which faces the premiership favourite Sydney Roosters at Olympic Park on Sunday without Alex Chan (suspended).

The club is also without hardman Danny Williams, who is awaiting his date at the NRL judiciary.

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