What Happened to Elton John's Eyesight?

Elton John has lost his eyesight. The "Tiny Dancer" singer confirmed as much at a gala performance of the The Devil Wears Prada musical, for which he wrote the score, in London on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024.

“I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight," he told the audience from the stage. "So it’s hard for me to see it. But I love to hear it and, boy, it sounded good tonight."

Keep reading for an update on John's health, including what happened to his vision and whether he's sick.

Has Elton John lost his eyesight?

Yes. The 77-year-old musical icon confirmed his loss of vision at a charity performance of The Devil Wears Prada in London. Joined on stage by the cast of the musical and his husband, David Furnish, John told the audience, "I have lost my eyesight." Furnish reportedly escorted him off stage after his speech had wrapped.

Related: Elton John Makes Emotional Statement About Husband David Amid Months-Long Health Battle

What happened to Elton John's eyesight?

John first revealed in September that his eyesight was impacted by a severe eye infection.

"I have been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye," he wrote on Instagram.

“I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye."

He went on to thank his medical team and family for their care. "I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home," he concluded, "and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far."

What kind of infection did Elton John have in his eye?

John has not gone into detail about his eye infection. However, in an interview with Good Morning America in November, he revealed that he sustained the infection in July, while he was in the south of France.

Will Elton John ever regain his vision?

It's unclear. So far all he's shared is that he's lost his vision due to an eye infection. But in an interview with Good Morning America last week, he made it sound like a recovery was possible.

“...There’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK, but…I’m kind of stuck at the moment," he said.

Can Elton John still write music?

John, who has written such classics as "Benny and the Jets" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," said on Good Morning America that his loss of vision has impacted his ability to write, although he has not outright stated that he can no longer do it.

"...I’m kind of stuck in the moment, because I can do something like this [an interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know. Because I can’t see a lyric for start," he said.

Related: Elton John Reveals New Health Struggle That Makes Him Feel ‘Stuck’ in Making Music

Why does Elton John always wear sunglasses?

John's tinted glasses are unrelated to his current eye condition. They've been a signature part of his look since the '70s—hence the rumor he owns more than 200,000 pairs. That's a lot of rhinestones!

Is Elton John sick?

John got an eye infection in July that led to vision loss that he's still experiencing to this day. His health has taken plenty of other hits over the years, including a couple of serious respiratory infections.

At the New York Film Festival premiere of his documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late, in October, he also alluded to procedures he's had to address his health problems. "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," he said.

"I don't have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee," he continued. "In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip. But I’m still here." Or one might say, he's still standing.

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