British pop icon Elton John revealed he was having trouble seeing his new music because he lost his vision after battling an eye infection.

“I couldn’t come to a lot of the previews because, as you know, I lost my eyesight,” said the singer-songwriter, who attended the opening night of “The Devil Wears Prada” musical in London on Sunday. December 1, told the audience.

He added, “So it’s hard for me to watch it, but I love hearing it and, boy, it sounded good tonight.”

In September, John revealed that he had an infection that left him with “limited vision in only one eye”. “I am recovering, but it is a very slow process and it will take some time for the vision to return to the affected eye,” he wrote on Instagram.

Although it is unclear what type of eye infection John had, not all eye infections lead to vision loss or blindness.

Let’s analyze the possible causes and risks:

Severe corneal infection: Conditions such as keratitis (often caused by bacteria, fungus, or viruses) can damage the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. Without immediate or prompt treatment, lacerations or perforations can result in significant vision loss.

Uveitis: This is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, the uvea, which can be caused by infection or autoimmune conditions. If left untreated, it can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal damage, all of which threaten vision.

Retinal Infection: Infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, which is common in immunocompromised individuals, directly damage the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, leading to blindness.

Optic nerve damage: Severe infection can lead to optic neuritis, which is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which can disrupt the transmission of visual signals from the eye to the brain.

Delayed Treatment: If detected early, many eye infections can be controlled. However, delaying treatment can worsen the infection and cause irreparable damage.

Symptoms that indicate serious eye problems

• persistent redness and swelling
• severe eye pain or discomfort
• blurred or blurred vision
• sensitivity to light
• float or flash of light in vision
• sudden loss of vision

How to prevent eye infections?

• cleanliness: Wash hands and avoid touching eyes to reduce the risk of infection.
• Contact lens care: Proper cleaning of lenses can prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Prompt Medical Assistance: Any symptoms of eye infection should immediately contact an ophthalmologist.
• Protective Measures: It is important to wear protective glasses in high infection risk environments, such as swimming pools or dusty areas.

Eye infections, if severe or not treated, can lead to blindness through corneal damage, retinal involvement or nerve damage.

Regular checkups and prompt treatment of symptoms ensure eye health and prevent vision loss.