Elton John Isn't Giving Up 'Hope' After Losing Sight in His Right Eye — and Says He’s Grateful He's 'Still Been Able to Play'

Elton John is still standing!

In a cover story published with Variety on Tuesday, Nov. 25, the English singer-songwriter opened up about living — and making music — after losing sight in his right eye in 2024.

“It’s been devastating,” John, 78, told the outlet. “Because I lost my right eye and my left eye’s not so good, the last 15 months have been challenging for me because I haven’t been able to see anything, watch anything, read anything."

While vacationing in France in summer 2024, John contracted an eye infection, which affected both of his eyes. Despite his hindered vision, the "Your Song" singer still manages to look on the bright side.

“I’ve had the most incredible life, and there is hope,” he said. “I’ve just gotta be patient that someday science will help me with this one. Once they help me with this one, I’ll be fine."

He added, "You mustn’t give up hope, you must be stoic, you must be strong and you must always try and batter the door down to try and improve things."

John expressed gratitude for his ability to play, sing — and his support system, which is made up of husband David Furnish, their sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, and his rockstar friends.

"I mean, you just have to grin and bear it. It does get me down sometimes. But on the whole, I’ve got a wonderful family; I have two great kids; I have him," he said of Furnish, 63.

“Paul McCartney FaceTimes me to see how I’m doing. It’s really beautiful," he continued. "The love I’ve received from him and from Pete Townshend and Mick Jagger and people like that have been amazing. Or you get an email from Keith Richards saying, ‘Hello, darling, how you doing? You know we love you,’ and that’s it, but it just makes my day.”

In April, John opened up to British newspaper The Times about losing his eyesight and said it caused him stress in parenting.

“I can’t read. I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer, and it has been a very stressful time, because I’m used to soaking it all up. It’s distressing," he said at the time.

“You get emotional, but you have to get used to it, because I’m lucky to have the life I have," he continued. "I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of here.

The "Tiny Dancer" singer first shared the news about his vision in a statement on Instagram. At the time, he said he was "healing," but it was an extremely "slow process."