How does Ray Charles go blind?
Ray Charles was born with a rare, degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This disease slowly causes the deterioration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina, which are responsible for converting light into messages sent to the brain. RP affects about 1 in 4,000 people, and symptoms usually appear between the ages of 20 and 40. The disease is progressive, which means that the gradual loss of vision is irreversible.
How did Ray Charles go blind?
Ray charles lost his sight in the early 1960s due to an infection from a streptococcus bacteria. He had surgery to remove his damaged cornea, but the infection returned, forcing the blind musician to undergo several more surgeries through the years. Charles committed his life to learning how to use a white cane and Braille and recorded songs he composed and performed using a synthesizer. Ray Charles’ legacy lives on in the hit songs he wrote for other artists, such as “Georgia on
How does Ray Charles go blind eye?
Ray Charles developed retinitis pigmentosa (or RP) as a teenager. RP is a degenerative disease that causes gradual, irreversible loss of vision. In its early stages, it is possible to still see light and identify shapes, but this vision is not helpful for performing daily tasks. Later on, those with RP can no longer see at all.
How did Ray Charles get blind?
There's no way to know for sure, but it's likely that he was born with an autosomal recessive defective gene. Autosomal recessive disorders are ones that are the result of a combination of genes from both parents. There are different types of genes and if you have two parents who carry an autosomal recessive disease, you have a 50% chance of passing on the disease to your children.
How does Ray Charles go blind in both eyes?
It is unclear exactly how Ray Charles developed his blindness. Some doctors believe it was an autoimmune disorder while others suggest he had a virus which damaged his eyes, although no definitive answer has been made. Whatever the cause, Ray Charles developed total blindness in both eyes at the age of 22. He received regular treatments to manage his condition, but his blindness remained.