The Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix actor has been told the damage s now too severe to correct , as he was too busy making movies to take care of his health
Kodi Smit-McPhee, the X-Men star, has been left with permanent vision loss in one eye after developing a cataract and procrastinating on seeking medical attention. The 28 year old actor, who received an Academy Award nomination for his role in 2021’s ‘The Power of the Dog’, revealed he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis – a condition that causes inflammation, pain, tiredness, and stiffness – at 18.
He started experiencing issues with his left eye, but his hectic film schedule, including roles in ‘X-Men’ and ‘Alpha’, led him to delay doctor’s appointments until it was too late to salvage his sight. In an interview with The Telegraph, Kodi shared: “Ironically, I was playing a superhero in ‘X-Men’, and then I was doing these other action films like ‘Alpha’. And I went through very tough times on those jobs … I just didn’t follow up on it [the cataract]. You know, I was thinking too much and I couldn’t get back to the doctor. Eventually the cataract had done so much damage. It was in atrophy. So in that eye I can’t see anything.”
Kodi attributes his health problems to unresolved trauma stemming from becoming a successful child actor and witnessing his parents’ divorce as a teenager.
He reflected: “Looking after my family and projecting these ideas on to myself. They weren’t things that were expected of me, but while I saw it [acting] as the greatest experience of my life, I also saw it as, like, ‘Oh, this is something that I can do to save everyone’ …
“Everyone was splitting up and my sister moved out. My dad was home and I thought: ‘Oh s***, I didn’t get to save everyone’. I only got to do it for myself and it felt very selfish. It felt like impostor syndrome.”
Kodi has had a stellar acting career since starring with Viggo Mortenson in The Road in 2009, followed by roles in movies such as Let Me In and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. He also captured audiences with his portrayal of Nightcrawler in the X-Men films Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix, reports Plymouth Live.
Common Symptoms of Cataracts:
- Blurry or Cloudy Vision – Vision may seem hazy, like looking through a foggy window.
- Difficulty Seeing at Night – Vision worsens in low-light conditions.
- Sensitivity to Light and Glare – Bright lights, such as headlights or sunlight, may cause discomfort or glare.
- Halos Around Lights – You may see rings or halos around bright lights.
- Fading or Yellowing of Colors – Colours may appear less vibrant or have a yellowish tint.
- Double Vision in One Eye – Seeing multiple images in one eye, which can be a sign of an advancing cataract.
- Frequent Changes in Glasses Prescription – Your vision fluctuates, requiring new glasses more often.
- Difficulty Reading or Seeing Details – You may struggle with reading small print or recognizing faces.
Cataracts usually develop slowly and affect older adults, but they can also result from injury, diabetes, prolonged steroid use, or genetic factors. If you suspect cataracts, an eye exam by an ophthalmologist can confirm the diagnosis and determine if surgery is needed.