Sir Elton John says he has not been able to see out of his right eye for four months, and his left eye “is not the greatest”, following a severe infection.
The 77-year-old singer said he has been unable to finish his new album due to his limited eyesight, and had been left feeling “stuck”.
Speaking about his new album with his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, which was announced last year, the Rocketman star told ABC News’ Good Morning America: “It’s been a while since I’ve done anything, and well, I just have to get off my backside.
“I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the south of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye is not the greatest.
“So, there’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay, but… I’m kind of stuck at the moment, because I can do something like this [the interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.”
The British star said he was “taking an initiative to try and get it better,” and was “concentrating” on regaining his eye health.
He went on: “It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen, and it kind of floored me. And I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, can’t watch anything.”
Earlier this year, Taupin told Sky News the album was “incredibly personal” and would not be Sir Elton’s last.
At the time, Taupin said: “It’s all done, it’s all in the can and ready to come out, I think, at the end of this year.”
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In September, Sir Elton revealed in an Instagram post that he was “healing” after the infection, saying: “It’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.”
The musician has suffered with various health issues over the years including knee and hip replacements, and surgery for prostate cancer.
However, that has not stopped him from performing and making public appearances.
Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish. Pic: AP
His headline set at Glastonbury last year marked the final UK performance of his marathon Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which concluded in Stockholm, Sweden, the following month.
Earlier this month he shared a new song with American singer Brandi Carlile, titled Never Too Late, inspired by his new Disney+ documentary of the same name, and he has publicised the film on the red carpet in both Toronto and London.
In October, he performed with Dua Lipa on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, and last week he appeared at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the King at the same London venue.
Known for hits including I’m Still Standing, Candle In The Wind and Your Song, Sir Elton was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2021.
He has two young sons, Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, with his husband, Canadian filmmaker David Furnish.