Learn about the Different Eye Conditions that Various Celebrities Have From
Despite being debilitating, vision impairments and eye conditions do not need to stop you from living your life.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology presents 2020: Year of Vision 20 actors, musicians, and artists who have achieved great success despite having chronic eye conditions.
1. Mila Kunis
Kunis said that she was blind in one eye for years and that nobody knew. An eye condition called iritis can cause cataracts in one eye. This is a potentially serious form of inflammation. It affects the front of the eye, including the Ir, which is the colored portion of the eye. She was able to see again after successful cataract surgery.
2. Claude Monet
Famous artists, known for their oil paintings and scenic scenes, had cataracts for many decades. A cataract is an eye condition that occurs naturally as a result of aging. The lens begins to grow and becomes yellow/brown. One sign of cataracts is blurred vision, yellow-tinted colors, and blurred vision. Some belief has influenced his art. He was able to have a successful cataract operation.
3. Ray Charles
Ray Charles, a musician, was blinded by untreated glaucoma as a child. He told New Musical Express in an interview that blindness was not something he considered a disadvantage. He became a world-famous blues musician after learning piano with the Braille system.
4. Ella Fitzgerald
This award-winning jazz singer was known as the First Lady of Song. She suffered from advanced diabetes. Fitzgerald suffered many complications from the disease, including vision loss. Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause blood vessels to become damaged in the retina. This can lead to swelling and bleeding inside the eyes.
5. President Abraham Lincoln
The 16th President of the United States suffered from Strabismus. This is a condition in which the eyes are not aligned properly and can be turned inwards or outwards. Children with misaligned eyes can cause poor vision. Lincoln’s left eye was naturally larger than his right, and his eyes rolled up when he was tired. During a passionate 1860 presidential debate, his eyes “roll wildly”.
6. Bono
U2’s lead singer thought he had perfect sight, but a routine eye exam revealed that he had glaucoma. He can now see well with treatments. Bono’s experience serves to remind us that glaucoma does not have to be blindness. Regular eye exams are essential for early diagnosis. Continuing treatment as directed by an ophthalmologist will help you keep your vision clear.
7. Stephen King
The famed horror writer is suffering from age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The disease starts in the macula of the retina, leading to central vision loss. Smoking, age, UV light, and genetics are all risk factors.
8. Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard, a professional boxer, had his eye surgery to fix a partially detached retina. After being hit in the eye while fighting, the injury occurred to Leonard. Leonard was able to make a full recovery and continue his boxing career.
9. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry, a professional basketball player, was diagnosed with Keratoconus. This is a condition in which the cornea, the clear covering of the eyes, thins and becomes cone-shaped over time. It can progress through childhood and into adulthood. He was able to have his corneas strengthened by corneal crosslinking. This has resulted in his vision being improved with the use of special contact lenses. The athlete explained to The Athletic how, although it was starting to feel normal for him to squint on the basketball court, his vision had improved.
10. Missy Elliott
Grave’s disease can cause the eyes to bulge and become more prominent. In severe cases, it can even lead to vision loss. This eye-related symptom was experienced by Missy Elliott, a hip-hop artist. However, she has experienced significant improvement through regular eye exams, medical assistance, and a healthy lifestyle.
11. Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell, the actress, claims that her right eye can drift on film at times due to strabismus. She spoke out on The Late Show about how her right eye drifts when she’s not looking. Bell claims that strabismus is most obvious when she’s tired.
12. Jose Feliciano
Jose Feliciano is best known for his Christmas song, “Feliz Navidad”. As a child, Feliciano was blinded by untreated glaucoma. Feliciano spoke with Hawaii Public Radio and said that he was grateful to have “been born with vision”, even though he doesn’t have his eyesight. Feliciano said that vision is also about how you feel inside, and that’s what makes him a great visionary.
13. Dame Judi Dench
Dench was diagnosed with dry AMD in one eye and moist AMD in the other. Dench is continuing her award-winning acting career. To maintain her independence, Dench uses various low-vision tools and techniques such as a mobile application that allows people with AMD to access the news. Dench stated to the Sunday Post that she just wants to continue being mobile and be able to do all things. My eyes will not beat me.
14. Venus Williams
An autoimmune disease, Sjogren’s syndrome affects the body’s moisture-producing cells. This is why the tennis star is so famous. This can lead to severe dry eyes, which can cause blurry vision, eye pain, and even infection. To ease discomfort and improve vision, Williams always has eye drops with her.
15. Joseph Pulitzer
At 42 years old, the newspaper publisher responsible for the Pulitzer Prize was diagnosed with a retinal detachment. Even though blindness ended his 16-hour workdays in the end, Pulitzer managed the New York World newspaper at home until his retirement.
16. Brittany Howard
Alabama Shakes’ lead singer is legally blind in one eye. As a child, she survived retinoblastoma which is a form of -eye cancer. Retinoblastoma is often inherited. Howard’s sister died from the disease during her childhood. Howard found relief in music and a successful career. A child’s eye should be examined immediately if there is an abnormal white reflection, wandering eyes, redness, swelling, or any other signs that indicate a problem.
17. Apl.de.ap – Black Eyed Peas
Apl.de.ap, a member of The Black Eyed Peas was legally blind before he had an artificial lens installed during eye surgery. His vision deteriorated to the point that he was unable to recognize faces. He was also very nearsighted and had an eye condition that caused his eye to move uncontrollably, called Nystagmus.
18. Larry King
Larry King, a well-known television host, and award-winning talk show host had cataract surgery. Cataracts can be a normal part of aging and are caused by changes in the natural lens within the eye. The cataract eventually becomes so large that vision is blurred and colors appear less vivid. Cataract surgery can restore vision safely and effectively. King, despite his good vision, continues to appear on television and write after he retires from CNN.
19. Stevie Wonder
A rare condition known as prematurity led to the blindness of the famous musician. Premature babies can develop eye disease. This is caused by abnormal blood vessels growing on the retina at the back of their eyes. Wonder is one of the most successful musicians of all time, despite the eye disease. Many awards have been given to Wonder, including the Library of Congress‘ Gershwin Prize in Popular Song that President Barack Obama awarded him.
20. Georgia O’Keeffe
O’Keeffe, a famous American painter, refused to lose her artistic vision when her eyesight from AMD began to decline. Instead, she hired help to mix her paints and then discovered sculpting was a new form of art.
