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Elton John’s vision loss: How an eye infection can cause blindness

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Elton John’s vision loss: How an eye infection can cause blindness

World-renowned singer-songwriter Elton John confirmed he has lost sight in his right eye after suffering from a severe infection.

On the opening night of his musical adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada” in London, John shared, “I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight.”

“So, it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and, boy, it sounded good tonight,” he said.

ELTON JOHN HAS ‘LOST MY EYESIGHT’ FOLLOWING SEVERE INFECTION

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John first posted to his Instagram account in September that he had been dealing with a “severe eye infection” over the summer that has “unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye.”

“Since Sir Elton John did not state what type of eye infection he has, it is unclear whether he has complete blindness in his right eye or if there is still some partial vision,” Dr. Thuy Tran, optometrist and founder of Oculist in New York City, told Fox News Digital. 

“It is possible that he may still be able to perceive light and motion, but is unable to discern enough details to read letters or musical notes,” added Tran, who did not treat the singer. 

“He may also be experiencing other signs and symptoms, such as thick mucous discharge, pain, irritation, excessive tearing and redness.”

Types of eye infections

The most common types of eye infections are viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis, according to Tran.

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“Viral conjunctivitis, caused by adenovirus, are like common colds and typically resolve on their own within a few weeks,” he said.

“When caused by herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus (same virus that is responsible for chicken pox and shingles), or cytomegalovirus (seen in immunocompromised individuals i.e. those with HIV/AIDS), more serious complications, such as corneal scarring, retinal damage and vision loss, may result.”

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Bacterial eye infections usually resolve within a week with proper antibiotic treatment, usually eyedrops or ointment, the doctor noted.

“A hyperacute bacterial eye infection, however, can be severe and rapidly progressive,” Tran warned. “If not treated immediately, it can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring and blindness.” 

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“This condition is most commonly caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a type of bacteria that can be transmitted through sexual contact.”

Bacterial eye infections usually resolve within a week with proper antibiotic treatment, usually eyedrops or ointment. (iStock)

Fungal eye infections are often caused by fungi that are naturally present in our environment, according to Tran.

“Common risk factors include trauma to the eye with plant material, extended contact lens wear and diabetes,” he said.

Fungal infections are usually treated with topical or oral antifungal therapies. 

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“Rarely, they can lead to a medically-urgent condition known as endophthalmitis, which often requires hospitalization for administration of intravenous medications.”

Potential for permanent damage

Dr. Derek Cunningham, eye doctor and director of Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, Texas, also spoke with Fox News Digital about the dangers of both internal and external infections in the eyes.

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An internal infection can be caused by a virus, said Cunningham, who also did not treat Elton John. If it reaches the retina, or the back of the eye, permanent vision loss can occur.

More commonly, eye infections are the result of external triggers and trauma to the front of the eye, like scratches, chemical splashes or the misuse of contact lenses, he noted.

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elton john on stage

Elton John speaks onstage during the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on Nov. 3, 2023, in New York City. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

These incidents then allow bacteria and other foreign organisms to “colonize in the eye,” Cunningham said.

“Because [the eye] is specifically designed to transmit light, the cellular structure of all the tissues is very precise, and it cannot be altered.”

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“So, any amount of immune response or even bacterial or viral infection is going to cause not only a disruption in the cells, but it could potentially cause scarring – and that is going to reduce vision, very often on a permanent level,” he went on.

While the eye is sensitive and may have a harder time warding off infection since it’s a “compartmentalized” system, Cunningham said, the cornea is also the “fastest-healing tissue in the human body.”

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Doctor performs an eye examination on a patient

Eye infections are more likely to affect the elderly, according to an expert. (iStock)

But as people age, the body heals more slowly – so someone like John, who is 77 years old, will be at a higher risk of elongated infection compared to those who are younger.

“A little kid can scratch their eye and within hours be completely healed,” Cunningham said. “In an elderly person, [injury] can last for days, and that’s where the chance of infection builds up – every minute that the tissue is still compromised.”

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Some eye complications can be spotted and addressed early on during routine eye exams.

Cunningham recommends paying attention to visual function – and if vision is compromised, symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.

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elderly man rubbing eyes under eyeglasses

If vision is compromised, symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor, an expert recommended. (iStock)

“If there is … anything really infectious in the eye, the potential for vision loss is extremely high — and it’s permanent. It very often doesn’t ever come back.”

Representatives for John did not return Fox News Digital’s immediate request for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Stanton contributed to this report.

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New brain therapy allows paralyzed patients to walk again: 'I feel my legs'

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New brain therapy allows paralyzed patients to walk again: 'I feel my legs'

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New research suggests that paralyzed patients could regain some degree of movement — perhaps even walk again.

In a study led by EPFL (Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne) and Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland, two people with spinal cord injuries received deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy.

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The therapy was applied to an “unexpected” part of the brain called the lateral hypothalamus, which has previously been associated with functions like eating and arousing from sleep.

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After the stimulation, the patients were able to walk without assistance and even climb stairs, according to a press release from Lausanne University Hospital.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine.

One of the participants in the study was 54-year-old Wolfgang Jäger from Kappel, Austria, who experienced a spinal cord injury in 2006 that left him in a wheelchair. 

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The clinical trial participant, Wolfgang Jäger, gets out of his wheelchair and climbs up and down the steps using the deep brain stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus. (.NeuroRestore / EPFL)

After having electrodes implanted in the targeted area of his brain and receiving deep brain stimulation, he regained some lower-body mobility.

“Last year on vacation, it was no problem to walk a couple of steps down and back to the sea using the stimulation,” Jäger said in the release.

“I can also reach things in my cupboards in the kitchen.”

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Study author Jocelyne Bloch, neurosurgeon and professor at the Lausanne University Hospital, UNIL and EPFL, shared the immediate effects of the therapy.

“Once the electrode was in place and we performed the stimulation, the first patient immediately said, ‘I feel my legs,’” she said in the release. 

A visual representation of the deep brain stimulation of the of the lateral hypothalamus

The therapy was applied to an “unexpected” part of the brain called the lateral hypothalamus, which has previously been associated with functions like eating and arousing from sleep. (.NeuroRestore / EPFL)

“When we increased the stimulation, she said, ‘I feel the urge to walk!’ This real-time feedback confirmed we had targeted the correct region, even if this region had never been associated with the control of the legs in humans.”

“At this moment, I knew we were witnessing an important discovery of the anatomical organization of brain functions,” added Bloch.

“When we increased the stimulation, she said, ‘I feel the urge to walk!’”

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The participants also reported “long-term improvement” in mobility even when the stimulation wasn’t actively being applied.

“This research highlights the unexpected role of the lateral hypothalamus, a brain region not previously associated with locomotion in humans,” lead researcher Dr. Grégoire Courtine, professor of neuroscience at EPFL and Lausanne University Hospital and co-director of the .NeuroRestore center, told Fox News Digital.

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“Our findings show that this approach not only enhances motor abilities during stimulation, but also induces a reorganization of nerve fibers, leading to lasting improvements even in the absence of stimulation.”

DBS has traditionally been used to control tremors in people with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, the researchers noted.

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A visual representation of the deep brain stimulation of the of the lateral hypothalamus

A visual representation of deep brain stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus is shown. (.NeuroRestore / EPFL)

The concept of applying it to the lateral hypothalamus is unchartered territory.

Looking ahead, the researchers hope to combine DBS with spinal implants to enable further recovery from paralysis.

“Integrating our two approaches — brain and spinal stimulation — will offer a more comprehensive recovery strategy for patients with spinal cord injuries,” added Courtine.

‘Pushing science forward’

Dr. Ann Murray, director of the Comprehensive Movement Disorder Clinic at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in West Virginia, said the study’s results are “surprising and exciting.”

“The targeted location of the brain they were stimulating, the hypothalamus, has not historically been known to be involved in the mechanism of gait,” Murray, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.  

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“As we continue to better understand the brain networks, it will continue to enable us to modulate areas that aren’t working correctly,” she went on. 

“The brain communicates via electrical signaling, and technologies like deep brain stimulation therapy help us interface with the brain circuitry to improve and/or restore more normal connectivity.”

Hypothalamus

“The brain communicates via electrical signaling, and technologies like deep brain stimulation therapy help us interface with the brain circuitry to improve and/or restore more normal connectivity,” a neurologist said. (.NeuroRestore / EPFL)

The potential for advancements in these types of technologies is “truly endless,” Murray said.

“I have the utmost hope that technologies like deep brain stimulation and other neuromodulation therapies will continue to advance the science in restoration of brain health for patients suffering neurologic injury.”

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Potential limitations

The researchers acknowledged that there are some limitations of the research.

“This is precision medicine at its finest.”

“This therapy is only beneficial for patients with incomplete injuries, where functional neural circuits remain but are not fully utilized,” Courtine told Fox News Digital.

“For complete spinal cord injuries, only localized epidural electrical stimulation or a brain-spine interface bridge may assist in restoring functional movements.”

Participant on stairs

After having electrodes implanted in the targeted area of his brain and receiving deep brain stimulation, a clinical trial participant was able to climb the stairs. (.NeuroRestore / EPFL)

He also pointed out that this study is an “early-stage safety and feasibility trial,” conducted without a control group. 

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“For this therapy to become widely accessible, larger pivotal studies will need to be completed and thoroughly evaluated [before approval],” Courtine said.

“This process may take several years before the therapy becomes available to patients.”

      

Murray also emphasized that caution must be taken with this type of stimulation.

“Anytime we are investigating brain therapies, a tremendous degree of safety and precision has to be applied,” she cautioned.  

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“The brain is the most precise, complicated organ in the body, which requires any treatment or innovation to appreciate not just the intended effects, but the potential unintended effects of interfering with certain networks.”

Every step of the process must be carefully executed by a comprehensive team, Murray said.

illustration of a human brain and reaction points

“Anytime we are investigating brain therapies, a tremendous degree of safety and precision has to be applied,” a neurologist cautioned.   (iStock)

“This is precision medicine at its finest — any misstep in any one of those stages can result in suboptimal outcomes.”

The goal, she said, is to standardize this process so that more patients have access to this “life-changing therapy.”

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Added Murray, “This should give hope to millions of patients across the world suffering from neurologic conditions, as this is pushing the technology, pushing the science forward, to expand treatment to people that have never had any other options.”

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Twin sisters face rare disease, plus dentists reveal oral care secrets

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Twin sisters face rare disease, plus dentists reveal oral care secrets

Fox News’ Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in health care, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.

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– Twin sisters navigate rare genetic disease, as one becomes caregiver

– Brush, floss, swish: Dentists reveal the proper order for oral care

– Tony Robbins shares his personal passion for helping feed the hungry

Natalie and Monica Rex were shocked to discover that Natalie has Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a rare, genetic and usually fatal neurological disease that affects only 6,000 people in the U.S. (Natalie and Monica Rex)

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Doctor and cancer survivor gears up to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days

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Doctor and cancer survivor gears up to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days

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A Wisconsin doctor is gearing up for the feat of a lifetime in order to spread awareness about the most pervasive cancer impacting young men.

Dr. T. Clark Gamblin, a surgeon in Milwaukee, spoke with Fox News Digital about his upcoming participation in the World Marathon Challenge. The competition involves running seven marathons on seven continents – seven days in a row. 

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The first marathon will take place in Antarctica on Jan. 31, 2025. From there, Gamblin and other participants will travel to Cape Town, South Africa; Perth, Australia; and Dubai, UAE. 

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From there, Gamblin will jet to Madrid, Spain, and Fortaleza, Brazil, before running a final race in Miami. He and his fellow marathon runners will have logged 183 miles over the course of a week.

Dr. T. Clark Gamblin, a cancer surgeon who battled testicular cancer, is running in the World Marathon Challenge, which involves running seven marathons on seven continents – seven days in a row. (Jan Gamblin, Ph.D.)

The fast-paced nature of the competition means that it won’t exactly be a relaxing vacation for the participants.

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“Over the course of the seven days, we’ll spend about 60 hours on the plane,” Gamblin said. “So it’s running, and it’s plane, and it’s running, and then it’s plane.”

“If you’re prepared and you train correctly, it’s not some Herculean feat.”

While it may seem physically impossible for a human to run seven marathons in seven consecutive days, the World Marathon Challenge has taken runners across the world for nearly a decade. Gamblin began training for the race a year ago.

“It’s a physical challenge, there’s no doubt about it, but there are much more physically demanding things that people have done,” he said. “If you’re prepared and you train correctly, it’s not some Herculean feat.”

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Gamblin has a whole team behind him. The World Marathon Challenge organization handles the logistics of all participants’ flights and hotels. A cancer surgeon, Gamblin also enlisted the help of a dietitian at his hospital to help him meet his protein and fluid goals.

He also has a physical trainer to help with injury prevention — but the person who has helped Gamblin the most, he said, is his wife.

Split image of Gamblin smiling and talking to patient

Dr. T. Clark Gamblin spoke to Fox News Digital about his participation in the World Marathon Challenge. (Fox News Digital / Jan Gamblin, Ph.D.)

“She’s like my No. 1 cheerleader,” Gamblin said. “She’s not a big runner, but she’s a huge part of helping me get ready for this and preparing me for it.”

“But then right behind her would be my running coach, a dietitian and a physical therapist. So it does take a team to get ready for something like this.”

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Gamblin, who specializes in liver and bile duct cancer, became interested in running marathons as a medical school student. During the World Marathon Challenge, he will be running for the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. 

The cause is near to his heart, as Gamblin is a cancer survivor himself – he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2018 after noticing a lump.

Gamblin running outdoors

Gamblin has been working with a dietitian and a physical trainer to prepare for the seven-day marathon challenge. (Jan Gamblin, Ph.D.)

“I thought it was probably nothing, but I was really diligent about it and checked it out very quickly and discovered it was testicular cancer,” he explained. “And testicular cancer is the No. 1 cancer that affects males aged 15 to 45.”

One out of every 250 men will develop testicular cancer in their lifetime, according to the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation.

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“I went from being a cancer surgeon and giving all this advice, to having to take the advice I had been giving and apply it in my own life,” Gamblin noted. 

“The most intriguing one is the Antarctica race … it’s going to be such a unique environment and climate to run in.”

After going through chemotherapy and two operations, he has now been cancer-free for four years.

Gamblin’s desire to spread awareness has fueled the long and arduous training he has gone through to prepare for the 168-hour-long feat. 

Despite the challenges, he said he looks forward to the simple pleasures of the race, such as getting to know his fellow runners.

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Gamblin running at sunrise

Gamblin will run a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica, starting in January. (Jan Gamblin, Ph.D.)

“It’ll be such a unique group of people, too,” he said. “I’m prepared to make some lifetime friendships and hear other people’s stories.”

Gamblin is documenting his marathon journey through his Instagram account, @tclarkgamblin. He’s most excited about running through Antarctica.

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“So few people have run marathons there,” he said. “It’s going to be such a unique environment and climate to run in.”

In Miami, Gamblin will get to see his family at the finish line.

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Split image of Gamblin sitting, running

Gamblin said that he hopes his story encourages others to achieve their potential. (Jan Gamblin, Ph.D)

“I think that far too often, we don’t set our goals high enough in life,” the doctor said. “We don’t risk enough …This is a risk, it is a reach for me.”

The doctor said he aims to inspire other people to also set their sights higher than they normally would.

“Your body will in many cases do what the mind tells it to do,” Gamblin added. 

“And so I think we can challenge ourselves and push ourselves far beyond … the limits that we set.”

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