Astigmatism is a common condition that occurs when the lens or cornea (the front surface of the eye) has mismatched curves. According to the Mayo Clinic, this causes blurry or blurred vision at all distances.

This refractive error affects 1 in every 3 individuals and can be congenital or can develop later in life as a result of factors like eye injuries or surgery.

Fortunately, most cases of astigmatism can be treated with corrective lenses or surgery.  

The following individuals have had to struggle with the condition before getting the right contact lenses and surgeries.

Despite the struggle, they have managed to thrive in their fields by finding a way to manage the condition.

1. Angie Yeo

Yeo is a popular yoga enthusiast who uses yoga to enhance various aspects of her life including dealing with astigmatism. This condition causes headaches and always makes it hard for her to concentrate, but with yoga , she has been able to sharpen her focus. She also wears ACUVUE Oasys 1-Day lenses which guarantee that she has a comfortable, stable, and sharp vision all day long. These lenses also protect her eyes from the effects of the UV rays.

2. Steph Curry

Curry was born with keratoconus, a common condition that forced him to squint his eyes when focusing. Squinting was normal for him and he even played basketball with the condition. The cornea of people with this condition tends to get thinner and cone shaped with time. After correcting his condition, Steph’s game has improved leaving him with a 48% shot average.

3. Gabriel Vasconcelos Ferreira

Gabriel is a popular Brazilian goalkeeper who has played for Cagliari and AC Milan. He was born with myopic astigmatism. The goalkeeper used contact lenses when playing; unfortunately, they moved when he played, making it hard for him to focus. So he underwent a refractive surgery that corrected his condition, which made it easy for him to play without wearing contact lenses.

4. Sam Rolph

Rolph was born with high hyperopia-prescription with astigmatism which made it impossible for him to focus on things up close. Therefore, he used to wear corrective eye wear every day and some sports goggles when playing football. Everything changed when Dr. Parth Shah introduced him to contact glasses that he now wears when playing.

5. Cienna

Unlike the other people in our list, having astigmatism saved Cienna’s life. Since she had an eye rating of 20/40 while young, her mum took her to an optometrist who discovered glitter in her eyes. She was unsure so after further consultation and tests, the doctors discovered that she had cystinosis. According to Cleveland Clinic, this condition results in the accumulation of cysteine in our cells forming crystals that can affect various organs including your eyes and kidneys. Currently, she is taking medication after every 6 hours and some eye drops.

6. Sean Smole

Smole was born a healthy child, but he had slight astigmatism that forced him to wear glasses since he was 2 years old. A few months later, he was diagnosed with coats’ disease that blinded his right eye. The disease is caused by blood vessels leaking behind the retina. He underwent a few procedures that helped him regain his sight.

7. Oh Qian Yi

Yi was born with astigmatism and myopia which made it hard for him to operate for years. He couldn’t even see anything past his arm’s length clearly. He even had issues focusing on lights when it was dark and had to wear some contact lenses which left him with a slight headache. He suffered for 20 years before being introduced to ACUVUE® Oasys® 1-Day lenses which changed his life.

8. Doug, a TikToker

@catsupwithdoug PSA: Take out your #contactlenses every evening and replace them at the recommended intervals. #storytime #fyp #catsupwithdoug ♬ original sound – Catsup with Doug

Doug became popular after sharing how he got astigmatism in a video that garnered over 400,000 likes. In the video, he said that he wore his contacts for 3 years leaving him with some buildup in his eyelids. He even slept with the lenses between 2012 and 2015. 

Also Check: 9 Famous Black Actors with Lazy Eye

Astigmatism may present challenges such as blurred vision, squinting, eyestrains, and eye discomforts but the stories of these celebrities show us that it’s possible to overcome them and pursue our passions. For instance, despite having to squint or rely on corrective lenses, individuals like Steph Curry demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. With the help of corrective surgery, their abilities flourished, as evidenced by Curry’s successful career. Let these stories inspire you to take proactive steps in managing your astigmatism and continue thriving in your pursuits.

A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a heart condition where the aortic valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, has two cusps instead of the typical three. This anomaly can cause the valve to become narrowed or leaky, leading to heart problems such as aortic valve stenosis or aortic regurgitation.

BAV is the most common congenital heart defect and can be asymptomatic or cause symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue.

Studies indicate that if severe aortic valve stenosis, a common issue with BAV, is left untreated, it is associated with an annual mortality rate of 25%, with a mean survival duration after diagnosis of 2-3 years. However, for adults with BAV who undergo surveillance and appropriate management, the 5-year and 10-year survival rates have been reported to be around 93% and 89%, respectively. Research also suggests that the 20-year survival rates for individuals with BAV are approximately 70% for women and 62% for men.

So, timely diagnosis, proper monitoring, and appropriate treatment significantly impact the long-term survival outcomes for individuals with BAV. According to VCU Health, with proper management and treatment, individuals with BAV can have a normal life expectancy.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most famous people who are living with a bicuspid aortic valve.

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Former Mr. Olympia and governor of California was born with BAV. Arnold has undergone 3 emergency heart surgeries in his life. He underwent an elective heart procedure in 1997 to replace his aortic valve. During the procedure, he opted for a tissue valve instead of a mechanical option since he believed that a mechanical valve could affect his physical activity.

2. Leo Hernandez

Back in 2009, Leo underwent an aortic replacement surgery on his 57^th birthday at the Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Leo was diagnosed with BAV in 2000, but he managed to live with the condition for 8 years and even climbed some of the world’s tallest mountains including Mt. Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, the problem worsened with time and he had to undergo a surgery. By 2008 his pressure gradient had increased to 68 while the valve area had reduced to 0.8 squared centimeters.

3. Julie H. Gordon

Julie was born with BAV and she knew that she must have a surgery at some point. She took periodic echocardiograms in her 20s and 30s which confirmed that everything was ok. But by the time she was 39 years old, the issue had worsened and she had to undergo a surgery.

4. Kaitlynn Dawson

Dawson may have been born with BAV, but she didn’t know that she had it until she was 19 years old. Kaitlynn had always had shortness of breath while practicing and even used an inhaler, but everything changed when she felt dizzy while working out. The softball player went to a physician who diagnosed her with BAV. Kaitlynn had to undergo a surgery a year later after she collapsed while jogging.

5. Robbie Benson

The American actor was diagnosed with heart murmur in his teens caused by BAV, but it wasn’t serious. Unfortunately, he started feeling dizzy and losing consciousness in his twenties and had to undergo an open heart surgery. The doctors inserted a bovine valve in 1984 which failed after 15 years. Robbie has had 3 more open-heart surgeries to deal with this condition and its symptoms.  

6. Aaron Boone

Boone was diagnosed with BAV in 2009 and underwent an open-heart surgery while playing for the Houston Astros. The procedure was successful, but in 2021, he started experiencing shortness of breath and lightheadedness. Therefore, doctors had to insert a pacemaker in his heart in 2021 to save the life of the Yankees manager.

7. Erin Sargent

Erin had congenital BAV that started affecting her after she gave birth to her son. The doctors couldn’t find the cause of the symptoms, but after further tests, they determined that she had infective endocarditis which is common among people with this condition. She was given some antibiotics to deal with the condition, but had to undergo an open-heart surgery. Currently, she is using a bioprosthetic valve that has improved her health.

8. Bill Wild

Wild was diagnosed with heart murmurs when he was 14 years old that was caused by BAV. Bill lived with the condition for almost 3 decades, but after turning 42, he was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm when he had a kidney stone. He underwent a modified Ross procedure in 2019 and has recovered.

9. Steffi Thiem

The 31 years old woman was diagnosed with this condition when she was 17 years old. But the symptoms became an issue in 2013 and she had to undergo a surgery. She opted for a mechanical over a tissue valve which became an issue when she got pregnant. Thiem had to use blood thinners for the rest of her life, but she did manage to give birth to 3 healthy children.

10. Cassi Oshefsky

Cassi and her sister Steffi were born with BAV, but Cassi was diagnosed with it at birth. She managed the condition until 2013/14 when it became an issue and she had to undergo a surgery like her sister Steffi Thiem. Like her sister, she did have problems when pregnant since she was using a blood thinner, but managed to also give birth to 3 children.

11. Jeff Street

Street, an Idaho resident, was diagnosed with BAV at birth and had to undergo an open-heart surgery in his 30s. The Ross Procedure was successful and the new aortic valve served him for 30 years. Unfortunately, he started to feel sluggish in his 60s and the doctors confirmed that he had an aortic aneurysm. He underwent a Bentall procedure in 2020 and is currently healthy and doing what he loves.

Also Read:

• 9 Famous People with Hydrocephalus: Thriving in Their Lives and Careers 

• 5 Celebrities With Long QT Syndrome

• 10 Famous Athletes Who Have Been Affected by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

While BAV poses risks to the heart’s normal function, it’s comforting to know that many individuals have successfully lived with it for decades. And that’s because it can take over a decade before BAV presents significant challenges. Fortunately, individuals like those mentioned above have undergone open-heart surgeries, receiving either mechanical or tissue aorta replacements, that gave them a new lease of life. Though some of them have had to undergo additional surgeries, their cases serve as a testament to resilience and the possibility of overcoming obstacles. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey.

Hydrocephalus is a serious condition that can affect anyone, but it’s quite common among newborns. The condition affects 1-to-2 babies in every 1,000 births. It’s characterized by abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain’s ventricles. This can result in the ventricles widening and putting pressure on the brain.

The excess fluid can leave infants with a large head (or bulging fontanel—the soft spot on the top of the head) which can be quite dangerous, especially if it’s not detected early.

Common causes of the condition in infants include congenital defects at birth, maternal infection during pregnancy, and premature death. In adults, the condition can be caused by tumors, bacterial meningitis, and concussions.

Hydrocephalus can be quite dangerous as it can cause permanent brain damage, severe disability, and even death if not treated. In fact, over 50% of the people who fail to get treated have died. The other half have had to opt for surgical treatments, which include Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt and Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).

The former involves inserting a tube that inverts brain CSF to the abdomen where it can be absorbed while the latter is a minimally invasive alternative that eliminates the need for a shunt.

Here is a list of famous people who have had surgical treatments (shunts or ETVs) and continue to excel in their personal lives and careers.

1. Sherman Alexie

Alexie was born with congenital hydrocephalus and had to undergo surgery before he was 1 year old. The procedure was successful and didn’t affect his learning ability, but it did leave him with some side effects including seizures. Despite the side effects, he did manage to become a published novelist, filmmaker, and screenwriter. His collection of short stories “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” was adapted in a film titled “Smoke Signals.”

2. Meggan Dawson-Farrell

The current holder of the Scottish T54 record of over 400m was born with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. These conditions made it hard for her to take part in sports until she was 14 years old. Meggan has learned how to live with the condition and even managed to become a popular T54 wheelchair athlete. She was even the 2012 Summer Paralympics torch bearer. 

3. Darren Jackson

The Scottish player was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 1997 after moving from Hibernian to Celtic. Darren was Jansen Wim’s first signing, but he had to undergo a VP shunt surgery in September 1997. The surgery was successful as he was back playing after 3 months and even managed to win the League Cup and League that season.

4. George Visger

Visger got a concussion during the 1^st quarter of a game in 1980 and still played the entire game. This resulted in him developing hydrocephalus. He had to undergo a VP shunt surgery in the 1981 season. 4 months later, he survived 2 more brain surgeries before retiring. After retiring he went back to school and became a wildlife biologist-environmental consultant in the 1990s. Visger has undergone 9 VP shunt procedures in his entire life.

5. Dena Schlosser

Schlosser became famous after she amputated the arms of her daughter, Margaret, in 2004. Unfortunately, her daughter died and she was caught, but later acquitted on grounds of insanity. But, did you know that she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus while young? She was diagnosed with the condition when she was 8 years old and has undergone 8 VP shunt surgeries. 

6. Olivia Maccoux

Unlike the other people in our list, Olivia has had to deal with headaches all her life. Olivia was diagnosed with hydrocephalus while young and has had to undergo 120 surgeries to deal with the condition. Despite the challenges, she does love playing soccer and she says that every time she is on the pitch the headaches go away. 

7. Danny Bonaduce

The Partridge Family star was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 2013 and underwent a successful surgery in June 2023. Back in 2022, his sister said that he suffered from a mysterious ailment that made it hard for him to walk and after seeing over 100 doctors, he was diagnosed with this condition.

8. Penni Morey

Back in 2003, Penni started passing out and vomiting and was taken to the hospital. The doctors thought that she had the flu, but a CAT scan confirmed that she had a brain tumor that left her with hydrocephalus. She underwent surgery and the doctors placed a shunt to bypass her blocked ventricles.

Unfortunately, the 1^st shunt failed and she had to undergo surgery within a month. The 2^nd shunt dislodged when she was 15 years old leaving her with migraines. And since the doctors considered her hydrocephalus to be stable, they didn’t insert another shunt in her brain. But she was introduced to acetazolamides which help her deal with the migraines. 

9. Jeff Wilkinson

The 67 years old retired reporter was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 1994. The condition forced him to change his goals in life and become a politician. He wanted to become a successful reporter, but the diagnosis made him realize that he was already a successful reporter who had interviewed 2 prime ministers.

Also Read:

• 6 Oldest People with DiGeorge Syndrome

• 10 Famous Athletes Who Have Been Affected by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hydrocephalus is a fatal condition that has caused the death of thousands of people in the past. Everything changed in 1905 when the 1^st VP shunt procedure was done and since then, many people have survived including the above personalities. Unfortunately, the shunt tends to dislodge with time and the above individuals have had to undergo a number of surgeries. Despite the condition, they have managed to live a normal life and succeeded in their careers.

Unlike most diseases, congenital disorders have no cure and they can leave you with functional or structural anomalies while you’re in your mother’s womb. And one condition that has troubled the world is DiGeorge Syndrome. The condition was first reported in 1965 by Dr. Angelo DiGeorge, but it was first described in 1829.

This condition occurs when a certain part of your chromosome 22 is absent and it can be passed down from parents to kids. The deletion of a small part of chromosome 22 can affect the development of various body systems.  It can leave you with a cleft palate, lowered immunity, heart issues, and low calcium levels.

Unfortunately, most kids born with severe defects don’t live beyond 3 years, but there are some kids with this condition that have outlived their parents.

The following individuals have lived for over 2 decades even though the doctors said they wouldn’t reach puberty.

1. Susan Wallace (Over 69 Years Old)

Wallace lived for over 69 years without knowing why she was struggling with various symptoms that were mysterious to everyone. All she knew was that she had to take a cocktail of medication to survive. Susan had debilitating psychological problems, speech impediment, and cleft palate.

She discovered that she had DiGeorge Syndrome in her late 60s, while she was recovering from a hip procedure. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2022, but her brother found out about this genetic condition and may be able to save the other members of the family.

2. Roger Evans (63 Years Old)

Evans’ condition was a mystery to him until the doctors found out that he had Adult DiGeorge Syndrome. Roger was born with hypoparathyroidism, but the doctors diagnosed him with the condition when he was an adult. He was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome in 2004 and his search for a solution for the condition has made him a celebrity.

Roger may be one of the oldest guys with DiGeorge Syndrome since when Dr. Angelo DiGeorge wrote about the condition, he was already 3 years old.

3. Wendy Hamer (58 Years Old)

Hamer, a 58-year-old woman, was born with a rare congenital condition known as DiGeorge Syndrome that has left her with learning difficulties and heart defects. Even one of her daughters has the same condition. Luckily, she discovered Nigel House, a Saanich facility for people who need complex care, where she has been staying for over 5 years.

This condition started affecting her later in life; in fact, she had an apartment, a job, and even led a normal life. Unfortunately, DiGeorge left her with seizures and various symptoms that forced her to move to Nigel House.

4. Joey Manzo (36 Years Old)

Since Manzo was born with DiGeorge Syndrome, he has had to work harder than everyone to achieve his dreams. He has never let the condition stop him from going after his goals. When he was born, the doctors were sure that he wouldn’t live past 19, but right now he is over 36 years old and owns a house. He loves traveling and works at Goodwill.

5. McKenna’s mother (Over 30 Years Old)

McKenna’s mum didn’t know that she had DiGeorge Syndrome until 2017 when she gave birth to her daughter. After McKenna was born she seemed okay, but her mother noticed a problem when she started feeding her. McKenna was choking and even had a seizure immediately after being born.

The doctors conducted several tests and determined that McKenna had a genetic syndrome. The doctor then tested the other member of the family and discovered that she got the condition from her mother.

6. Nadia Zomorodian (Over 27 Years Old)

Zomorodian is a fighter who has managed to do everything people said she wouldn’t do. She was born with this genetic condition and had to undergo open heart surgery while she was a week old. Nadia has also had sinus surgery and palate surgery.

When she was young she was told that she wouldn’t do many things like driving, graduate, or even make friends. But she graduated and has a job. She learned how to drive when she was 18 years old, but she uses a GPS when driving.  

Also Check: 

• Oldest People Living With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• 6 Oldest Living People with Turner Syndrome

DiGeorge Syndrome has a high infant mortality rate, but if the symptoms are not severe then you have a higher chance of living for years like the above individuals. So, early diagnosis of DiGeorge Syndrome can help you live longer and manage the symptoms with the right medications. You can even achieve your goals in life, but you may need assistance from the people around you.