The 77-year-old suffered a severe infection last year, leading to significant damage to his eyesight.
Sir Elton John is set to release a new album he has described as “one of the greatest musical experiences” of his life despite a recent difficult health battle that left him blind in one eye. The star opened up about his declining vision following a severe infection last year.
As a result of the illness, he is now blind in his right eye and has limited vision in the left. Speaking to The Guardian, he said: “I’m an optimist permanently, I’ve got bad eyesight at the moment.
“There have been days I’ve been miserable.” Due to the problems with his eyes the 77-year-old has been unable to attend several high-profile events in recent months, including the gala performance of the musical The Devil Wears Prada.
He explained that the condition has significantly impacted his day-to-day life. Despite this he said: “I’ve beaten addiction, health issues and can pick myself up, dust myself off.”
Sir Elton has also expressed a newfound empathy for others living with visual impairments. “I think about how lucky I am, I’ve got a new respect for sight-impaired people, but I’ve got a great life and hopefully my sight will improve,” he said.
His latest studio album “Who Believes In Angels?” set to be released on April 4. As reported by the Mail Online, Sir Elton said: “This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.
“It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future.
“I have everything I’ve done behind me and it’s been brilliant, amazing. But this is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career, Mark 2.”
The record was devised by close friends and regular collaborators Sir Elton, US singer-songwriter Brandi and producer and songwriter Andrew Watt. Long term professional partner Bernie Taupin has also contributed lyrics to the album.
However, the recording process wasn’t without its difficulties. Sir Elton told BBC Radio 2: “I had more doubt on this record than I had ever had in my life.” But he added: “If I’d have been on my own without Brandi and Bernie and Andrew, this record would never have got made.”
