Elton John's eyesight loss from common health issue – how to spot warning signs

Sir Elton John left fans concerned after he disclosed his sudden loss of vision while on stage. The 77 year old music icon was introducing the West End show 'The Devil Wears Prada', which he composed, featuring Vanessa Williams, when he shockingly revealed to the audience that he "lost his eyesight and can't see the stage".

Following his candid admission during the London event, where he was accompanied by his spouse David Furnish, messages of support flooded in from his devoted followers. Despite a history of health issues, Elton has remained resilient.

In a heartfelt social media post in October, he shared: "To be honest with you, there's not much of me left. 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. But I'm still here."

Elton's battle with blindness came to light after he suffered an infection during a vacation in the South of France. He informed his Instagram followers in September about a serious eye infection that resulted in limited vision in one eye.

An eye infection is a disease of the eye that you get because of a microorganism like a bacterium, a virus or a fungus. Other symptoms of eye infections are swelling, redness in the eye, sensitivity to light, watery eyes, and sometimes even a fever. Loss of eyesight is only in extreme cases.

You might be able to tell if you have an eye infection due to the above symptoms, but it is advised to contact a healthcare provider, who will take your medical history and do a thorough eye exam.

Although he is on the mend, Elton cautioned that recovery would be gradual and it might take some time for his sight to fully return to the affected eye.

The beloved performer expressed his deep appreciation for the support he's received during his health ordeal, stating: "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. With love and gratitude."

At a recent theatre appearance, he shared a candid update with his fans, revealing: "I've lost my eyesight and cannot see the stage."

He continued, "As some of you may know I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. I haven't been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it. To my husband who's been my rock because I haven't been able to come to many of the previews... it's hard for me to see it but I love to hear it and it sounded good tonight OK. Thank you for coming! ".