Elton John shares update on deteriorating eyesight: “It has been a very stressful time”

Elton John has shared an update on his deteriorating eyesight, admitting that it has been a “very stressful time” adjusting to his new reality.

• READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Elton John: “I’m not interested in the past – not even Elton John’s past” 

In September, the legendary singer-songwriter revealed he had been dealing with an infection over the summer that left him 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,” he continued.

In late November, John gave an update on his condition, revealing that it had been “four months now” since he had been able to see properly. “And my left eye is not the greatest,” he stated, adding that it has resulted in him feeling “stuck” while working on a new album.

Now, in a new interview with The Times, he has opened up about the “distressing” emotional impact of his decline.

“I can see you, but I can’t see TV, I can’t read,” he said. “I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer, and it has been a very stressful time because I’m used to soaking it all up.”

“You get emotional, but you have to get used to it because I’m lucky to have the life I have,” he added. “I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of [my left eye]. So you say to yourself, ‘Just get on with it.’”

Elton appeared to be in good spirits at the Golden Globes in January, quipping from the stage: “I don’t know if you know, but there’s been a lot of stories going around about my regressive eyesight. I just wanted to reassure everybody that it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m so pleased to be here with my co-host, Rihanna“. He was presenting the award alongside Brandi Carlile.

John and Carlile’s collaborative album ‘Who Believes In Angels?’ was released on Friday (April 4), including the recent single ‘Swing For The Fences’, the previously shared titled track and last year’s ‘Never Too Late’.

John recently opened up about why he decided to team up with Carlile on the project, arguing that he couldn’t have done it alone.

“I knew that I didn’t want to make the same album again… I wanted the album to move forward because I’m always trying to look forward,” he said. “If I had just made another Elton John record, I would’ve killed myself.”

In other news, John is scheduled to headline Singapore’s 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix this autumn, despite his recent retirement from touring.

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