Anne Hathaway has revealed she was “legally blind” in her left eye for approximately a decade due to an early-onset cataract, per boredpanda.com.
Speaking on The New York Times’ Popcast podcast, the 43-year-old Oscar-winning actress explained that the gradual loss of vision severely impacted her daily life and taxed her nervous system before she underwent successful corrective surgery.
Hathaway noted that the condition developed during her 30s, causing severe clouding of the eye’s natural lens. The actress kept the health struggle private for years, only realising the true extent of the deterioration after the surgical procedure fully restored her sight. She described her current vision as a “miracle,” acknowledging that previous generations would not have had access to the same medical advancements.
The diagnosis came to light during a promotional circuit for a busy slate of film releases. Hathaway recently starred in the music drama Mother Mary, and her film The Devil Wears Prada 2 debuted earlier this month. Her upcoming projects include Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” scheduled for a July release, the thriller ‘Flowervale Street” on August 15, and the psychological drama “Verity” on October 2.
In tandem with her medical disclosure, Hathaway addressed recent online speculation regarding her facial appearance and alleged cosmetic surgery. Speaking to Elle, she stated that while she usually prefers to ignore internet rumours, the commentary had become too loud to ignore. She defended her right to bodily autonomy, adding that she might still choose to get a facelift in the future.
Reflecting on her career longevity, Hathaway admitted that public scrutiny would have caused her severe anxiety during her youth. She noted that she has since learned to be less harsh on herself, which has allowed her to navigate Hollywood rumours and personal health battles with greater resilience.
Cataracts are standardly associated with older demographics, making early-onset cases relatively rare for individuals in their 30s. According to clinical data from institutions like the Mayo Clinic, the condition causes progressive vision impairment akin to looking through a frosted window, but it remains highly treatable through routine surgical lens replacement.
•Featured image:Anne Hathaway on the Popcast podcast.(Credit: PopCast)
