Elton John Shares ‘Distressing’ Update on His Deteriorating Eyesight: ‘Very Stressful Time’

Elton John is sharing a heartbreaking update about his vision.

During a visit to Good Morning America late last year, the 78-year-old rock legend revealed that he lost the ability to see in his right eye after suffering from an eye infection that summer.

In a new interview with The Times of London, published Friday (April 4), Sir Elton got even more candid about his eyesight problems.

“I can see you, but I can’t see TV, I can’t read,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icon said. “I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer, and it has been a very stressful time because I’m used to soaking it all up.”

John, who shares sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, with his husband, David Furnish, described the situation as “distressing.”

“You get emotional, but you have to get used to it because I’m lucky to have the life I have,” the iconic artist said. “I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of [my left eye]. So you say to yourself, ‘Just get on with it.’”

While appearing on Good Morning America in November 2024, John revealed that he contracted the eye infection while in the South of France. “It’s been four months since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye’s not the greatest. I’m, kind of, stuck in the moment,” he told ABC News’ Robin Roberts at the time.

The hitmaker also shared that his eye issues could impact his ability to make new music.

“I can’t see a lyric, for start. We’re taking an initiative to try and get it better, but at the moment, that’s really what we’re concentrating on,” he said. “It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen. It kinda floored me, and I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.”

The following month, John addressed his eyesight loss during the stage debut of The Devil Wears Prada in London. “As some of you may know, I have had issues and now I have lost my sight,” he told the crowd at the Dominion Theatre, according to the Daily Mail. “I haven’t been able to see the performance, but I have enjoyed listening to it.”

John also joked about his eyesight problems during the 2025 Golden Globes, where he took the stage alongside pal (and fellow Grammy winner) Brandi Carlile, who co-wrote the song “Never Too Late” for his documentary Elton John: Never Too Late with him, Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt.

“It’s a very special night for me to be here because, I don’t know if you know, but there’s been stories going around about my regressive eyesight,” John said. “I just want to reassure everybody — it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m so pleased to be here with my co-host, Rihanna,” he said, pointing to Carlile.

Despite his eyesight struggles, John teamed up with Carlile for a new collaborative album, Who Believes in Angels?, which arrived on Friday. The duo is set to appear on Saturday Night Live as musical guests on Saturday (April 5), and the day after, they’ll host a one-hour concert special in celebration of the new album.