Sir Elton John has spoken about severe vision problems after developing an eye infection in 2024. He later said he had lost vision in his right eye and had limited sight in his left, making everyday activities such as reading and watching television more difficult. The exact type of infection has not been publicly confirmed, so it would be wrong to speculate about the cause. His experience shows why you should not ignore an eye infection, particularly if you develop

If you have noticed that Forest Whitaker’s left upper eyelid sits lower than his right, the difference is commonly described as ptosis, the medical term for a drooping upper eyelid. Whitaker himself has publicly described the feature as genetic and said that it affects his vision, although his quoted interview did not give a formal medical diagnosis. Ptosis is not always simply an appearance concern. In some people it can restrict the upper visual field, while a newly drooping eyelid

Mila Kunis is known for her distinctive eyes, but in 2011 she revealed that she had been living with chronic iritis, an inflammatory eye condition that had severely affected the sight in one eye for years before she underwent surgery. If you have never heard of iritis, you are not alone. It is inflammation inside the front of the eye, and while it can often be treated successfully, persistent or recurring inflammation can sometimes threaten your sight or lead to

Sugar Ray Leonard needed eye surgery in 1982 after doctors found a partially detached retina in his left eye. He developed blurred vision and spots in his left eye while preparing for a title defence, so the fight was cancelled and he underwent a two-hour operation at the Wilmer Eye Institute. His case shows why eye injuries can be serious, particularly in boxing. His surgeon could not confirm exactly when or how the retinal injury happened, so it would be

If you have heard that Stephen Curry was reported to have keratoconus, you may be wondering what the condition means and whether the diagnosis has been confirmed. Keratoconus can thin and distort the cornea, which may cause blurred or distorted vision. Curry said that contact lenses made his vision clearer, but he later told reporters that he did not have an eye disease and described his issue as blurry vision. It is therefore more accurate to describe keratoconus as a

If you have heard Judi Dench speak about struggling to read scripts or recognise faces, the eye condition she has publicly discussed is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Her experience shows how changes to central vision can affect both work and everyday independence. AMD damages the macula, the part of your retina responsible for sharp central vision. You may still have useful peripheral vision while finding it difficult to read, recognise faces or see fine details, which is why early assessment

If you have ever wondered why Bono is so often seen wearing tinted glasses, he has publicly spoken about living with glaucoma. The U2 singer disclosed the condition in 2014, although tinted glasses themselves do not treat glaucoma or prevent optic-nerve damage. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve gradually without obvious early symptoms, so regular eye examinations matter even when your vision seems normal. Treatment can help reduce the risk of further damage, but sight already lost from glaucoma cannot

Taylor Swift publicly revealed in 2019 that she had undergone LASIK eye surgery. She later spoke about the experience on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where a video of her recovery filmed by her mother was also shown. LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that reshapes your cornea to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Swift has publicly spoken positively about her eyesight after LASIK, but your suitability and outcome depend on factors such as your

Vitamin B12 may not be the first thing you think about when your vision changes. You may wonder whether you need new glasses, whether screen use is contributing or whether you have an eye problem. However, significant B12 deficiency can affect your nervous system and, rarely, the optic nerve, causing blurred vision or visual field loss. B12-related eye problems are uncommon, but you should not ignore changes in your vision. If your eyesight is changing, you should have a medical

If you suddenly notice flashing lights, zigzag patterns, blurred vision or a patch of missing vision, it can feel worrying, especially if it has never happened before. Migraine can cause temporary visual changes like these, sometimes before a headache and sometimes without a headache at all. Most migraine visual aura is temporary, and your vision should return to its usual baseline once the episode passes. However, you should not automatically assume that every new visual symptom is caused by migraine.