The presenter may be one of the most recognisable faces on British television but the star has bravely opened up in recent years about her condition
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Claudia Winkleman, the cherished presenter known for her roles on Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors, has been open about her struggle with a chronic health condition. The 53-year-old has discussed her battle with myopia, a topic she delved into during an appearance on Gabby Logan's 'The Mid Point' podcast in December.
Claudia shared insights into the challenges she faces with her vision, which has fluctuated from severe short-sightedness to long-sightedness, complicating her ability to read. She confided in Gabby, aged 51, about the severity of her situation: "I've had lens replacement. I've had so many operations on my eyes."
She elaborated on the procedures she's undergone, saying: "I had a lens replacement in my left eye because my astigmatism was so bad I was minus 16, but that was 14 years ago and then I had a little fiddle with but because I was so short sighted by then fixing it I'm now long sighted so I can't really read anymore. I can with glasses, I've got plus 2.5 but I can't read The Bee Sting with those glasses and that light."
Claudia's openness about her eye condition isn't new; she has previously spoken candidly on the 'How To Fail' podcast, discussing her history of eye problems more broadly.
She remarked: "I've always had terrible eyesight. Which is going back to the blurriness of the paintings I like and the blurriness of how I really like life to be. I've had a couple of operations since then because I was just banging into walls. But now I wear lenses or glasses or whatever," reports Surrey Live.
Claudia's difficulties with her vision have, in the past, restricted her from performing certain tasks that are second nature to many TV presenters, such as reading autocue. In a 2021 interview with The Sun, she confessed: "I can't even begin to tell you how blind I am.
"It's embarrassing. I can't read the autocue. My eyes have deteriorated so badly, I'm not meant to drive. I am doing the wrong job."
Nevertheless, despite the challenges presented by her impaired eyesight, Claudia has maintained an upbeat and resilient outlook on life, keeping herself occupied and continuing to be a beloved presence on British TV, to the delight of thousands across the UK.
Viewers can catch Claudia Winkleman tonight as she fills in for Graham Norton on the Graham Norton Show (Friday, February 28) at 10.40pm on BBC One, joined by guests including megastar Chris Pratt and comedian Rob Beckett.
