Glenn Beck - Blind Leading the Blind?

Aug 9, 2010 | Stacy Matson | Celebrity Health
Glenn Beck - Blind Leading the Blind?

image by: Gage Skidmore

Macular dystrophies, one of the major causes of vision loss affect central vision which results in difficulty seeing straight ahead, reading, driving, as well as performing many day to day activities. The good news is total blindness is not likely

What can you say about Glenn Beck that hasn't already been said? Outspoken? Yes. Conservative? Sure. Controversial? Absolutely. Idiot? (I think so.) The loudmouthed political bobblehead for the Fox News Channel has to be one of the most polarizing figures in the world of TV quasi-news shows.

Beck made a name for himself by spewing hatred for Muslims, people that look like Muslims, 9/11 victims, families of 9/11 victims, Katrina victims, anyone in public office, anyone running for public office, the unemployed, the employed, the uninsured, the insured, etc... Perhaps the most offensive is that he publicly protests the evils of corporate greed while at the same time he earns a fortune from his corporate sponsors. He’s a highly paid, living, breathing, contradiction (hypocrite?).  But I’m sure you know that… 

Recently though instead of commenting on the news Beck became the subject of news programs himself.  Beck, 46, announced that he’s suffering from a condition called Macular dystrophy and could potentially be blind within a year.  Bummer.  (That’s rude. I know.) 

Through teary eyes Beck revealed his condition to an audience of 6,000 attending one of his “American Revival” appearances in Salt Lake City. He told the crowd he’d begun to have trouble focusing his eyes a few weeks earlier and went to his doctor who then diagnosed him with Macular Dystrophy. Beck said, “[The doctor] did all kinds of tests and said, ‘you have macular dystrophy... you could go blind in the next year. Or, you might not’.”  

Potential blindness would scare some but not Beck who says he's accepted his diagnosis and even calls it "the greatest blessing."  (Right.)  The devout Mormon said, “Lord, if you need my eyes, they're yours. Thank you for letting me see as [long] as I have. I know what my wife looks like. I know what my children look like.” I’m fairly certain that would be my first reaction as well. 

What is Macular dystrophy?  Is that the Jerry Lewis Telethon thing? No. 

What Beck has, Macular dystrophy, not Muscular dystrophy, affects the retina in the back of the eye and gradually destroys the cells called Macula. When the Macula is damaged the result is difficulty seeing straight ahead, reading, driving, and performing many day to day activities. 

There are several different types of dystrophies and may affect vision during different stages of a patient’s life. One of the more severe forms of the disease is known as Cone dystrophy.  This rare disorder is typically inherited and usually present at birth but may manifest later in life. Cone dystrophies affect the cells that receive light (cone cells and rod cells) causing retinal deterioration, impaired vision, and sensitivity to light.  

Stargardt’s dystrophy begins to damage both eyes somewhere between the ages of 6 and 20, although visual impairment may not be apparent until the 30’s or 40’s. Children first notice difficulty with reading, complaining of gray, black or hazy spots in the center of their vision. Vision loss is usually slow until the 20/40 range then rapidly progresses to the 20/200 level. 

Another type of Macular dystrophy is Best’s disease. Best’s symptoms typically present during childhood and include the appearance of yellow or orange yolk-like lesions in the macula. Best’s symptoms progress slowly throughout childhood with a few vision changes in the teens and 20’s, and finally severe vision loss around the age of 45.   

In all cases dystrophies lead to a slow, progressive deterioration of the central vision by destroying the part of the eye responsible for seeing sharp details like recognizing faces and reading. Most people will eventually be declared legally blind, which is 20/200 or worse. However, total blindness is not likely since peripheral vision remains undamaged allowing patients to see light, shadows,and some large print. 

Currently there are no treatments for Macular dystrophies of any kind. That is devastating news for someone with Macular dystrophy and for once Beck appears to have been humbled. Beck says, “I don't know what tomorrow will bring [but] I plan on dealing with it with a smile and dignity, and quite honestly, at least I’ll be able to get away with a blind joke from time to time,” he continues. “I don't want to lose [my eyes] - but I'm grateful that I had them. And I know that everything works out exactly the way it's supposed to. Everything that happens to us is for our own good."  


Stacy Matson, a health enthusiast from Southern California, regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of the Best.

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