Last night, at the charity event for the musical “The Devil Wears Prada” in London, Sir Elton John, who wrote part of the music for the series, revealed to the audience that he could not see the performance.
“As many of you know, I’ve lost my sight,” John said. “It’s hard for me to see, but I like to hear it.”
The loss of vision, he says, is the result of an eye infection he has been dealing with since the summer Post on Instagram since September, as a result of which he lost the sight in one eye.
“Unfortunately I lost the sight in my right eye in July,” said John u interview with Good Morning America on November 25. “It’s been four months since I could see.”
John didn’t reveal what caused his eye infection, but the musician admits he’s been struggling.
“I’m a little stuck right now,” John told GMA. “Going to the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see the text to begin with.”
Despite what he’s going through, John says he’s grateful for the care he’s received and the support around him. In his September post, John said he feels positive about the recovery he’s made so far.
“I am on the mend, but it is an extremely slow process and it will take some time for vision to return to the affected eye,” he wrote.
But how does an eye infection turn into blindness? Here’s what you need to know.
What causes eye infections?
You can get eye infections from bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses, according to American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Eye infections can occur due to eye injuries, if you rub your eye after touching a dirty surface or sleeping in or wearing dirty contact lenses.
What types of eye infections are there?
The most common eye infection is pink eye or conjunctivitis, often caused by the same viruses as the common cold. It causes red eyes with a sticky discharge and is extremely contagious, but it can be treated at home. Depending on the type of bacteria, you may need antibiotics.
Other types of eye infections include:
Certain types of eye infections can lead to blindness, especially if left untreated.
How to recognize an eye infection
These are the symptoms to look out for if you suspect you have an eye infection:
- Eye pain or irritation
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Itching or burning in the eyes
- Watery or thick discharge
- Swelling and redness of the eyelids
How to prevent eye infections
The Cleveland Clinic advises the following to reduce the risk of eye infections:
- Wash your hands often.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Wear eye protection when working or playing sports.
- Do not share items that come into contact with your eyes, such as towels or eye makeup.
- Throw away cosmetics after you’ve had an eye infection to avoid re-infection.
- Clean the contact lenses and the contact lens case.
- Take allergy medication to avoid eye irritation.
- See an ophthalmologist if you have any symptoms of an eye infection.
