Actress Anne Hathaway revealed she was legally blind in her left eye for approximately 10 years [1].
The disclosure brings public attention to the challenges of early-onset cataracts and the impact of vision loss on high-profile professional careers.
Hathaway shared the news during her appearance at the Met Gala on May 4, 2026 [4], held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City [4]. She said the condition was caused by an early-onset cataract [3] that affected her left eye [2].
Despite the significant impairment, Hathaway continued to film and perform during that decade. "I was legally blind in my left eye for ten years and still managed to work," Hathaway said.
The actress said the gradual nature of the vision loss made the severity of the condition difficult to track. "I didn't realize how bad it had gotten," she said.
Medical intervention eventually resolved the issue through a surgical procedure. Hathaway said the experience was a "miracle surgery that finally gave me back my sight."
By sharing her personal health struggle, Hathaway said she intended to raise awareness about vision loss, and the importance of addressing cataracts early in life [5].
“I was legally blind in my left eye for ten years and still managed to work.”
Hathaway's disclosure highlights the invisibility of certain sensory disabilities in the workplace. By revealing that she maintained a demanding acting career while legally blind in one eye, she provides a case study in adaptation and the efficacy of modern cataract surgery in restoring functional sight.
