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5 Celebrities Who Have Had Glaucoma

May 19th, 2020

Hear how your favorite celebrities have dealt with their glaucoma. 

Even though glaucoma is most common in adults over sixty, people at any age can suffer from the condition. Because of the potentially serious effects of glaucoma — including blindness — a glaucoma diagnosis can be scary.

Glaucoma can be difficult and even painful, but it doesn’t mean you can’t stay happy and productive. In recent years, a few celebrities have lifted the veil on what it’s like to live with glaucoma. With more glaucoma awareness, anyone who suffers from glaucoma can see that it’s possible to live a happy and productive life with eye disease. 

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when fluid gets backed up inside your eye, which puts pressure on your optic nerve. Because your optic nerve connects your brain to your vision, glaucoma can lead to vision impairment and even blindness. Early symptoms include loss of peripheral vision, pressure on your eyes, light sensitivity, or headaches.

Your eye constantly produces fluid that flows through your eyes and drains out at the edge of your iris. The most common type of glaucoma — primary open-angle glaucoma — consists of a gradual clogging of your drainage angle. A less common type of glaucoma — narrow-angle glaucoma — occurs when your drainage angle actually closes up. 

Bono

Believe it or not, Bono doesn’t wear his signature sunglasses to just look cool. He’s actually one of the most prominent musicians with glaucoma, which he contracted over two decades ago. The U2 frontman has explained that he wears his sunglasses because of light sensitivity, and that he still experiences swelling in his right eye. Bono shows us that just because you have glaucoma doesn’t mean you’re stuck in a moment you can’t get out of. 

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg, the EGOT-winning actress and co-host of The View, has spoken out on her experience with glaucoma. She often wears sunglasses due to photosensitivity, and has discussed the headaches she gets from her condition. 

John Glenn

Ohioan John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth, and he served as a Democratic senator for nearly twenty years. When he retired from the Senate, John Glenn revealed he had been successfully treated for glaucoma. Before he passed away in 2015, John Glenn went on a mission to inform the public of the silent risks of glaucoma, which can begin with no symptoms at all. 

Roger McGuinn

After singing groovy hits such as “Mr. Tambourine Man” with his band The Byrds, musician Roger McGuinn has used his platform to raise awareness about the risks of glaucoma. He has undergone treatment for his glaucoma, and has urged others to get eye tests as well. 

Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli, the famous Italian opera singer, has suffered from glaucoma since birth. When he suffered an accident to his head at age 12, Bocelli went blind completely. Now, he stands as a reminder that even the gravest cases of glaucoma cannot stop you from pursuing your dreams. 

Eye exams save the day

Many people with early-stage glaucoma are unaware they have it, since vision loss usually doesn’t happen right away. Anyone with a family history of glaucoma, or who is over the age of sixty, should visit an eye doctor at least once a year to get tested for glaucoma. 

For patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Northeast Texas, Kleiman Evangelista offers qualified eye doctors with experience in screening for and treating glaucoma. If you think you might be at risk, request an appointment today. Your vision is too important to wait. 

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