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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.

JULIE BOWEN OF ‘MODERN FAMILY’ GETS REAL ABOUT CHRONIC DRY EYE: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE CONDITION

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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Best Fruits For Weight Loss: Benefits of Berries, Citrus, More

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Health benefits of rhubarb and how to uniquely include the vegetable in your diet, as shared by an expert

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Health benefits of rhubarb and how to uniquely include the vegetable in your diet, as shared by an expert

Rhubarb is a vegetable that visually appears to resemble celery in texture — but its color and taste are differentiating factors between the two. 

Rhubarb has an extremely tart flavor, and it is very rarely eaten on its own due to its sour notes. It’s often combined with sugar in sweet treats like pie or jam. 

Even though rhubarb is often used in desserts, it’s actually full of health benefits. 

SKIN, HAIR BENEFITS OF JOJOBA OIL, WIDELY USED IN COSMETICS, ACCORDING TO EXPERT

While combining rhubarb with sugar may not be the healthiest approach to take, there are plenty of other healthy ways to counteract rhubarb’s sour flavor. 

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Find out more about the health benefits of rhubarb and how you can easily incorporate it into your diet below. 

Rhubarb is packed with health benefits. The vegetable is often used in desserts, but can also be used in healthier ways for its benefits to take full effect. (Getty Images)

  1. Improves bone health
  2. Is rich in antioxidants
  3. Aids digestion
  4. Can help regulate blood pressure
  5. Has the potential to lower bad cholesterol levels

1. Improves bone health

There are many different vitamins present in rhubarb. 

One of these is vitamin K, an important contributor to overall bone health as well as blood clotting. 

POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF TARRAGON, INCLUDING IMPROVED DIGESTION, ACCORDING TO EXPERT

“Just one cup of rhubarb has almost half of your vitamin K needs,” Lauri Wright, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of South Florida and registered dietitian nutritionist, told Fox News Digital. 

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Wright added that though most people don’t take Coumadin anymore for blood thinning, those who are on medication should be extra cautious of rhubarb consumption since vitamin K and Coumadin don’t interact well. 

Strawberry rhubarb pie

Even though rhubarb is a vegetable, it has a tart flavor — which is why it’s often paired with fruits such as strawberries in desserts like pie.  (Natasha Breen/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Calcium is also apparent in rhubarb, another contributor to bone health, as well as vitamin C, great for a nice immune boost.

“It’s also rich in calcium, which helps with bone health, and vitamin C, which boosts your immunity and is involved in collagen production for healthy skin and tissues,” Wright said. 

2. Is rich in antioxidants

Rhubarb is full of antioxidants.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF MATCHA, PACKED WITH ANTIOXIDANTS, MAY BE WORTH INCORPORATING INTO YOUR DIET

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The antioxidants in rhubarb do far more than just give the vegetable its color. 

“Rhubarb is really high in antioxidants, and those are kind of these compounds that give the rhubarb its reddish color, but those compounds in the body help take down inflammation and protect the cells from damage… some of the damage that could eventually lead to cancer cells,” Wright explained. 

Red rhubarb

Rhubarb does resemble celery in its texture, but its color and taste make the vegetables very different. (Christoph Soeder/picture alliance via Getty Images)

3. Aids digestion

Rhubarb is a vegetable high in fiber. 

“[Rhubarb is] rich in fiber, so it really helps with digestion. [It] has a pretty good source of fiber per serving,” Wright told Fox News Digital. 

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That said, the amount of fiber in rhubarb shouldn’t lead to any GI issues, Wright added. 

The part of the vegetable to be mindful of is the leaves. While rhubarb stalks boast impressive health benefits, the leaves should be left alone. 

“The leaves actually contain oxalic acid, which, if you eat a lot of it, can be toxic, and it also, for some people, can build stones in the kidneys. So you always want to trim the leaves before you cook the rhubarb,” Wright noted. 

Sliced rhubarb

Rhubarb has just the right amount of fiber; it can aid digestion but shouldn’t cause any digestive issues. (Rey Lopez for The Washington Post via Getty Images; food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

4. Can help regulate blood pressure

Rhubarb has the potential to regulate blood pressure.

The high potassium content in the vegetable is what strongly contributes to this potential health benefit, Wright told Fox News Digital. 

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“It’s high in potassium,” Wright said. “Potassium helps regulate blood pressure [and] helps with better blood pressure control.”

5. Has the potential to lower bad cholesterol levels

Rhubarb stalks may have the capability to lower bad cholesterol levels.

“Studies have actually shown that rhubarb stalks can help lower the LDL cholesterol, or the bad cholesterol … just a few, but there’s some promise there,” Wright said. 

If you want to begin to incorporate rhubarb into your diet in a healthy way to see all of its potential benefits, one easy way to do so is by using it as an ingredient in salsa. 

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Woman pouring a fruit smoothie

Rhubarb can be one of many ingredients blended into a delicious and nutritious smoothie. (iStock)

“One really fun idea is [to] add rhubarb to your salsa,” Wright said. “Dice up rhubarb along with mango, red onion, lime juice, cilantro. That makes a really tangy salsa, and it’s perfect to put on top of grilled fish or chicken.”

Another easy way to incorporate pretty much any fruit or vegetable into a diet is by blending it into a smoothie. 

 

“Add rhubarb to your smoothie with strawberries, Greek yogurt, a little drizzle of honey and maybe some spinach, and that’s going to be like a really fun mix of flavors that is packed with nutrition,” Wright explained. 

A nutrient-rich smoothie is a super simple way for those who have a hard time meeting daily recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables to get the vitamins and minerals they need. 

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‘Disease X’ has killed dozens in the Congo — here’s what to know about the mystery illness

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‘Disease X’ has killed dozens in the Congo — here’s what to know about the mystery illness

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An outbreak of a mystery illness dubbed “Disease X” has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), health officials say.

Up to 143 people have died from the infectious disease, the country’s deputy provincial governor, Rémy Saki, told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

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The deaths occurred in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province between Nov. 10 and Nov. 25, AP reported this week.

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Primary symptoms include fever, headache, cough and difficulty breathing.

Most of those affected are children younger than 5 years old.

An outbreak of a mysterious illness dubbed “Disease X” has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), health officials say. (iStock)

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“At the Emergency Operation Center for Public Health and at the INSP [National Institute of Public Health] — which is in maximum alert mode — we’ve already positioned central-level teams who will leave within 24 hours to join the [local] health zone,” said Dr. Dieudonné Mwamba, the director general of INSP, speaking in French at a press briefing on Thursday.

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The DRC’s provincial health minister, Apollinaire Yumba, urged residents to be cautious and to avoid contact with dead bodies to prevent infection, AP reported. 

The country is also requesting medical supplies.

“There is a lack of medicines and medical supplies, since the disease is not yet known.”

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The first cases of Disease X were reported on Oct. 24, but health authorities were not notified until Dec. 1, according to reports.

Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, spoke at a press conference on Thursday.

     

“We have a delay of almost five to six weeks, and in five to six weeks, so many things can happen,” Kaseya said. 

“Ongoing testing will help us to understand what is the issue.”

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Up to 143 people have died from the infectious disease, the country’s deputy provincial governor, Rémy Saki, told the Associated Press on Tuesday. (iStock)

Lucien Lufutu, president of the civil society consultation framework of Kwango province, who is in Panzi, told the AP that the local hospital is not equipped to treat the influx of ill patients.

“There is a lack of medicines and medical supplies, since the disease is not yet known, most of the population is treated by traditional practitioners,” he said.

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When contacted by Fox News Digital, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is aware of reports of an illness in southwest DRC.  

“U.S. government staff, including those from U.S. CDC’s country office in Kinshasa, are in contact with DRC’s Ministry of Health and stand ready to provide additional support if needed,” a spokesperson said.

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Disease X

The first cases of Disease X were reported on Oct. 24, but health authorities were not notified until Dec. 1, according to reports. (iStock)

The Congo is already grappling with an ongoing outbreak of mpox, a viral disease caused by an orthopoxvirus. A global emergency was declared in August.

In recent weeks, health officials have reported between 200 and 300 confirmed mpox cases weekly, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Fox News Digital also reached out to the Africa CDC and WHO requesting additional comment.

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