Elton John Goes Blind?
CULTUREFEATURED
Elton John, the legendary British singer, songwriter, and performer, has faced some serious health challenges in recent years, including vision problems that have affected his eyesight. However, it's important to clarify that he hasn't "lost" his eyesight entirely but has experienced significant visual impairment. Here's a breakdown of how this happened and how he is living today:
How Elton John Lost His Eyesight
Elton John's vision issues are related to a condition known as "glaucoma," which is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure. Glaucoma can lead to gradual loss of vision, particularly affecting peripheral vision, and in some severe cases, it can result in blindness.
Glaucoma Diagnosis: Elton John revealed that he was diagnosed with glaucoma many years ago, and it was discovered after he went for a routine eye check-up. He had no symptoms at first, so he was fortunate to have caught it early, as glaucoma can often go undetected until significant damage has already occurred.
Surgery and Treatment: Elton has undergone multiple eye surgeries to manage his glaucoma and protect his vision. In fact, he has spoken publicly about undergoing laser treatment to treat his eye condition. These treatments have helped him keep the disease under control, but it's a chronic condition that requires ongoing care.
Current State of His Eyesight
As of recent reports, Elton John still experiences some visual impairment, particularly in his peripheral vision, which is commonly affected by glaucoma. However, he has not completely lost his eyesight. He has described feeling lucky to still be able to see, even if his vision is not as sharp as it once was.
He’s also very open about the fact that he now relies on specialist equipment to help him in his daily life and during performances. For example:
He uses magnification tools for reading and has aides and devices to help him with his visual needs.
He’s adapted his lifestyle, including keeping his home environment well-lit and having people around him to assist when necessary.
How Elton John is Currently Living
Despite his health issues, Elton John continues to lead a fulfilling and active life. Here's an overview of his current lifestyle:
Family Life:
Children: Elton John is married to David Furnish, and together, they have two children—Zachary (born in 2010) and Elijah (born in 2013). His family has been a central part of his life, and he has spoken many times about how fatherhood has brought him immense joy and fulfillment.
Focus on Family: In his more recent years, Elton has expressed that spending time with his family has become one of his top priorities, and he often shares heartwarming moments with them on social media.
Touring and Performing:
"Farewell Yellow Brick Road" Tour: Elton John is currently in the midst of his farewell tour, named "Farewell Yellow Brick Road." This is his final world tour before retiring from long-term touring, though he’s emphasized that he will continue to perform on occasion. He has adapted to his eyesight challenges by using teleprompters for lyrics and relying on a team of assistants to help him with stage setups and other aspects of touring.
Live Performances: Despite his vision issues, Elton John is still performing with incredible energy and precision. His iconic stage presence and musical talents continue to awe audiences around the world. He’s adjusted his approach to performing in ways that ensure he stays safe and effective on stage.
Health and Lifestyle:
Maintaining Good Health: Elton John has made significant changes to his lifestyle in recent years, including improvements to his diet and exercise routines. After dealing with some past struggles with substance abuse and addiction, he has prioritized his physical health and well-being.
Mental Health: Elton is also vocal about the importance of mental health, sharing his struggles with depression and addiction in the past. He continues to advocate for the well-being of others through his Elton John AIDS Foundation and has spoken about his own experiences with therapy and mental health care.
Philanthropy and Advocacy:
Elton John's Elton John AIDS Foundation remains one of his most important initiatives. The foundation continues to raise funds and awareness for the fight against HIV/AIDS globally, and Elton is actively involved in its efforts.
He is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has been a major figure in the push for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
How He's Coping With Vision Loss
Elton John has been remarkably open about his health struggles, including his vision issues. He continues to take care of his health by:
Regularly seeing eye specialists and adhering to a treatment regimen to manage his glaucoma.
Using technology and assistants to help him perform tasks that are difficult due to his visual impairment.
Continuing to live a busy and active life, balancing his career, family, and philanthropic efforts.
Final Thoughts
While Elton John’s vision problems are a challenge, they haven’t stopped him from living a rich and active life. He remains one of the most beloved and influential musicians in the world, and his ability to adapt to the challenges he faces, including his eyesight issues, serves as an inspiration to many. As of now, he’s living life to the fullest, with his family and career at the center of his world.