Comedian Alan Carr has revealed details of a frightening health scare that left him fearing for his eyesight after undergoing an urgent procedure at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital.
The 48-year-old TV personality disclosed that doctors had to drain fluid from his eyeballs due to excessive pressure during what he described as a “surreal” experience.
Speaking on his Life’s A Beach podcast, Carr expressed deep concern about his deteriorating vision, stating: “Losing my sight is my worst thing, and I can feel it getting worse.”
The procedure involved having a spike inserted into his anaesthetised eye to relieve the building pressure.
Carr, who has astigmatism, initially made light of his condition. “I kept telling people I had stigmata, like the wounds of Christ. Get over yourself, Alan,” he told fellow comedian Grace Campbell.
The eye condition means his eyeball isn’t properly round, instead taking on a rugby ball shape that can cause blurred vision and sight loss.
Alan Carr has been known throughout his career for his big glasses
The comedian began experiencing concerning pressure behind his eyes, prompting his visit to the specialist hospital.
“I’ve got something wrong with my eyes – quite a bit of pressure,” Carr explained, describing his growing worry about the condition.
The treatment process proved particularly distressing for Carr, who detailed the uncomfortable procedure on his podcast.
“He had to basically choke me because this air going into my eye was too much,” the comedian revealed.
The star thought he was going to lose his eyesight
PA
The most challenging part came when doctors prepared to insert the spike. “They said, ‘Just relax, Alan, and just concentrate on the spike going into your eye.’
“I’m like, excuse me? What? Oh good, the spike is coming closer. Relax!”
“At Moorfields, they anaesthetised my eyeball, and then the spike came in onto the lens to see if it worked,” he explained.
“My eyeballs need draining—they’ve got too much pressure,” Carr added.
Despite his health concerns, Carr’s career continues to flourish with his semi-autobiographical comedy “Changing Ends” securing two additional series.
ITV recently announced the show will return for both a third and fourth series, with six episodes each to be recorded back-to-back.
His urgent procedure has saved his eyesight
PA
“To get your own sitcom recommissioned for a series is the most wonderful news ever, but to have TWO series recommissioned is utterly mind-blowing,” Carr said of the announcement.
The series, which launched on ITVX last year, draws from Carr’s experiences growing up in Northampton during the 1980s as the son of a football manager.
