Elton John Reveals Severe Eye Infection Has Limited His Vision in One Eye

Elton John has shared some unfortunate news about his health.

“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,” the singer wrote in a statement shared on his social media accounts.

“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,” John, 76, continued. “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.”

Well-wishers included tennis legend Billie Jean King, “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham and songwriter and creative partner Bernie Taupin. “Sending our love and support your way. Feel better soon, friend,” King wrote.

Taupin chimed in, “Get back on track good buddy,” while Waddingham shared: “Sending golden, healing vibes Elton.”

In March, John and Taupin were honored for their nearly 60-year musical partnership with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Paul McCartney is the only other British artist to receive the award.

John capped off his final tour last summer with a performance in Stockholm, where he described his career as “52 years of pure joy.” He’d launched his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in 2018 but rescheduled his U.K. and Europe shows in 2021 to undergo an operation on a hip after suffering a fall that led to “increasing difficulties moving.”

“I’m trying to process it, and I don’t think it will sink in for a while yet that I’ve finally finished touring,” John said in a statement last year. “I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss the fans and how much their support has humbled me — it will stay with me forever.”

John was also hospitalized “as a precautionary measure” last August after “a slip” at his home in the south of France. “Following check ups, he was immediately discharged this morning and is now back at home and in good health,” a spokesperson said at the time.

When he won an Emmy Award in January for the Disney+ concert special “Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium,” John became an EGOT winner, having collected Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. However, he was not in attendance at the Los Angeles ceremony due to a knee replacement surgery.

Source: USA TODAY