Eye Didn't Know!

Happy Birthday, Ray Charles

Did you know? Today is the anniversary of the birth of Ray Charles! (Sept. 23, 1930-June 10, 2004) This musical legend lost his vision at around age 5. Unfortunately, sources disagree on the cause of his blindness, and according to a 60-Minutes interview, Charles himself was not sure of the cause. Most sources say he had congenital glaucoma. This is a disease where the drainage system of the eye does not work properly, leading to high eye pressure, optic nerve damage and vision loss. Other sources say he may have had trachoma, which is an infection spread by flies, which can lead to severe scarring across the cornea, the clear window on the front of the eye.

Did you also know? Charles was not discouraged by his blindness. In his 60-Minutes interview, when asked, he states: "Why? About what? When you are blind, I think you probably only lose maybe 1/99th of what life is all about..." In the same interview, producer Quincy Jones recounts:

"The only time where he ever appeared to have any kind of handicap was when a beautiful woman was in the room, then he started walking into walls and so forth. ...‘Can I help you Mr. Charles?’ the sympathetic women would say. ...He'd get real blind, you know, when the pretty girls were around."

Jones further states that the Ray Charles sound was "darkness converted into light." How appropriate!

Happy Birthday, Jose Feliciano

Did you know? Puerto Rican-born singer Jose Feliciano was born blind from congenital glaucoma. Congenital glaucoma is a rare condition where the drainage system of the eye does not function properly, leading to high pressure in the eye and damage to the optic nerve. When this occurs around birth, the eyes sometimes enlarge leading to an unusual appearance. Even with modern treatment, usually involving surgery and medications, the prognosis for this condition is guarded.

Did you also know? In 1967, Jose Feliciano traveled to England for a concert tour. Authorities would not allow his guide dog into the country (due to rabies laws). Later, he wrote the song, No Dogs Allowed.

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder

Did you know? Singer Stevie Wonder was born prematurely, and developed an eye condition called retinopathy of prematurity, which left him blind. Eyes of pre-term babies do not have fully developed vascular systems. Sometimes the blood vessels will develop abnormally, leading to scarring and possible blindness. This condition was much more common in the 1940s and 50s. Studies eventually showed that high levels of supplemental oxygen was a primary risk factor for this disease. This led to discontinuing its routine use in incubators.

Did you also know? Stevie Wonder is still alive and well. He had his first #1 hit at age 12!

James Thurber

Did you know? Humorist and New Yorker cartoonist James Thurber (1894-1961) lost his right eye as a child when it was shot with an arrow. His left eye suffered repeated bouts of inflammation throughout his life, leading to gradually worsening vision. He used a very large easel to draw his cartoons until giving them up at age 57. He continued to write, dictating his stories to a secretary.

Did you also know? Losing one eye does not cause vision loss in the other eye from “overuse.” However, a traumatic injury to one eye can cause the body to form antibodies to eye tissue, causing inflammation in the other eye. This was common in the Civil War, and in Thurbur’s time, but is very unusual today with better treatments.

"Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?" James Thurber, cartoon caption, 1939.

Jose Feliciano

Did you know? Jose Feliciano is most famous in this country for his Christmas song Feliz Navidad. He was among the first singers to achieve worldwide success in both English and Spanish (and Italian!) He was blind from birth. He was born with congenital glaucoma, a condition where the fluid inside the eye does not drain properly, causing the pressure to rise and the optic nerve to be damaged. The high pressure can actually cause the newborn eye to enlarge abnormally. Glaucoma at birth is rare, occuring approximately 1:10,000 live births. Treatment is surgical, and the prognosis, even with modern treatment, is guarded.

Did you also know? Jose lists Ray Charles as one of his musical inspirations.