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MrBeast's Vision Battle: Blind in One Eye
24 Feb
Summary
- MrBeast revealed borderline blindness in his right eye.
- Stargardt disease is a rare juvenile macular degeneration.
- The condition causes central vision loss and affects thousands.
YouTuber MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, disclosed this week that he suffers from borderline blindness in his right eye. This revelation has sparked widespread discussion, especially given his history of funding vision-restoring surgeries for others. Donaldson explained that his characteristic squint is an effort to see better, even with corrective lenses.
The symptoms described by Donaldson align with Stargardt disease, a rare inherited form of juvenile macular degeneration. This condition impairs sharp, central vision due to the buildup of a fatty byproduct in the macula, affecting the retina's ability to clear waste. Early signs can be mistaken for simple nearsightedness.
Stargardt disease typically manifests in childhood or early adulthood. Symptoms include a grey haze in central vision, difficulty adjusting to light changes, muted colours, and a squint reflex. While there is no cure, gene therapy and genetic testing are emerging as significant research areas.
In India, Stargardt disease is recognized as a significant genetic disorder. Studies suggest it affects approximately 1 in 8,000 to 10,000 individuals, with a higher prevalence in males. Research continues to explore population-specific genetic mutations and potential treatment avenues.
