Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Elton John reveals he ‘can’t see anything’ in his right eye after infection

EGOT winner, 77, reveals he has limited eyesight in his right eye following severe infection last July

Meredith Clark
New York
Monday 25 November 2024 19:07 GMT
Comments
Related: Elton John smiles in first public appearance since suffering ‘severe infection’

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Elton John has made a candid confession about his health after suffering a severe eye infection.

The legendary British musician, 77, spoke about his condition in an interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts on Monday (November 25). “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France,” John said. “It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see. My left eye is not the greatest.”

The EGOT winner continued: “There’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay, but I’m kind of stuck in the moment because I can do something like this, but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know. Because I can’t see a lyric for start.”

John explained that he and his doctors are “taking an initiative” to treat his eye problems, but maintained that “it’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen.”

“It kind of floored me, and I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” he said.

Despite his health challenges, the “I’m Still Standing” singer described himself as “the luckiest man in the world” ahead of the premiere of his upcoming Disney+ documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late.

Elton John says he ‘can’t see anything’ after suffering an eye infection
Elton John says he ‘can’t see anything’ after suffering an eye infection (ABC)

“I’m so proud of the documentary. I’m proud of my sons. I’m proud of my attitude toward myself and what’s going on,” he said. “I’m just very lucky and I’m very grateful.”

In September, the “Yellow Brick Road” singer revealed he was slowly healing from a “severe eye infection” that had left his vision impaired.

“Over the summer, I’ve been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye. I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye,” John said in an Instagram statement shared on September 3.

“I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks. I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home, and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far.”

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

In January, John underwent knee replacement surgery. The procedure left him unable to attend the postponed Emmys ceremony, where he completed his EGOT status after winning the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category.

He underwent a second knee replacement on his other knee in March, joking months later that “there’s not much” of him left after his various surgeries and health issues.

“To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left,” John said at the New York Film Festival screening of his documentary in October. “I don’t have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don’t have a prostate. I don’t have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee. In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip.

Addressing his fans, he added: “But I’m still here. And I can’t thank you [enough]; you’re the people that made me.”

John retired from touring last year. Elton John: Never Too Late, directed by RJ Cutler, hits Disney+ on December 13.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in