Irish rock band U2’s front man, Bono is known for his raw sounding voice, and his signature trademark: funky tinted sunglasses. But Bono wants the world to know he’s not an aloof rock star who wears shades indoors just because — he wears them for an eye condition that he was diagnosed with 20 years ago. On Graham Norton’s BBC One show, Bono revealed that he has glaucoma, a disease of the eye marked by increased pressure within the eyeball that can result in damage to the optic disk and gradual loss of vision. “Now that you have this information, you’re never going to be able get it out of your head,” Bono said, mimicking everyone’s reaction: “‘Ah, poor old blind Bono.’” He assures us, however, that he has great treatment and that he is going to be just fine.
What do sunglasses do for glaucoma patients? Sunglasses help to block out sensitivity to light and glare while outdoors. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, “long-term exposure to UV rays can damage the eye’s surface as well as its internal structures, and can sometimes even contribute to cataracts, the clouding of the lens, and macular degeneration, the breakdown of the macula.” Although glaucoma can result in vision loss and blindness, with early detection and treatment, like Bono, patients can protect their eyes against serious vision loss.
Unfortunately, most cases of glaucoma do not occur with readily noticable symptoms that warn of the irreversible optic nerve damage being done. However, the presence of the following warning signs, indicates that you should have a thorough examination by an eye doctor:
- Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms
- Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare
- Change in color of iris
- Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids
- Recurrent pain in or around eyes
- Double vision
- Dark spot at the center of viewing
- Lines and edges appear distorted or wavy
- Seeing spots, ghost-like images