8 celebs who have admitted they struggle with impaired vision: From Mila Kunis to Jake Gyllenhaal

Celebrities who overcame visual impairments: From Johnny Depp to Judi Dench

It is estimated that nearly 50 million people worldwide are legally blind, and about 250 million live with some form of visual impairment. Treatable conditions like cataracts and diabetes are prevalent in developing countries where medical resources are lacking. However, even celebrities can experience significant vision loss due to various reasons. Here are eight famous individuals who have dealt with visual impairments.

1. Johnny Depp

One of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Johnny Depp, known for his role in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise, has been legally blind in his left eye and near-sighted in his right eye since birth. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he shared, “I’ve never had proper vision. Everything is just very, very blurry.”

2. Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis kept a significant secret for many years. She was blind in one eye due to chronic iritis, a severe inflammation that also affected the color of her left eye. Kunis revealed that she was blind in one eye for several years during her twenties. The 'Black Swan' star kept this issue a secret until 2011, when she underwent surgery and regained full vision. Kunis had been dealing with iritis, an inflammation of the iris. This condition led to a cataract that impaired her vision until it was removed. Interestingly, the procedure slightly altered the color of her affected eye, resulting in very subtle heterochromia.

3. Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench, one of Britain's most esteemed actresses and an Academy Award winner, has been battling age-related macular degeneration for many years. Despite this, she continues to perform, with friends and family members helping by reading her script lines aloud. Dench proclaimed, "I’m not going to be beaten by my eyes." She continues to work into her late eighties, requesting her scripts in larger text to accommodate her vision.

4. Missy Elliott

Iconic rapper Missy Elliott was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid. This condition can lead to the overproduction of thyroid hormones and, consequently, bulging eyes and blurred vision. Thanks to medical treatments and a healthy lifestyle, Elliott has managed to control her condition.

5. Stephen Curry

Basketball superstar Stephen Curry underwent a procedure called corneal crosslinking to strengthen his corneas. With the help of special contact lenses, his vision has greatly improved. Although he still squints on the court occasionally, it doesn't significantly affect his game.

6. Bono

U2 frontman Bono has been wearing tinted sunglasses for over 20 years, not just as a fashion statement but as a necessity. In 2014, he revealed that he has been suffering from glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. Regular eye checks and proper treatment have helped preserve his vision.

7. Fetty Wap

Rapper Fetty Wap has faced numerous rumors about his missing eye throughout his career. Fans have posited various theories, with the most popular being that he was shot in the eye. In 2015, he finally clarified the situation, explaining that he developed congenital glaucoma following an accident during his childhood, which led to the surgical removal of his left eye. Initially, he used a prosthetic eye but eventually chose to embrace his natural look without it.

8. Jake Gyllenhaal

The actor was born with a lazy eye that "naturally resolved," wore corrective lenses since he was 6, and remains legally blind, according to a new profile in The Hollywood Reporter. His vision is now 20/1250, but he doesn't mind. "I like to think it's advantageous," he told the outlet.