Whoopi Goldberg has been wearing eyeglasses for nearly 30 years. Before that she was known for wearing sunglasses.
In fact, stylish eyewear has been such a main part of the 67-year-old entertainer’s look and persona over the years, it is hard to imagine her without.
But there she was, earlier this week, on The View without glasses. Goldberg recently had an operation to help correct her presbyopia. She spoke about the transformative experience on the show.
“I had an operation, and they replaced the lens,” Goldberg explained. “And the lens they replaced it with is kind of like my eyeglass lens.”
Presbyopia effects one’s ability to focus on nearby objects. From the Mayo Clinic: Treatment options include wearing corrective eyeglasses (spectacle lenses) or contact lenses, undergoing refractive surgery, or getting lens implants for presbyopia.
Goldberg didn’t offer details as to what type of presbyopia-correcting lens implant she received. But she did explain why she went through with the procedure, which comes with some risks.
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“Two weeks ago, when we did a show with the folks from (the T.V. show Star Trek:) Picard, I was trying to read the prompter with my actual glasses,” Goldberg said. “And I couldn’t do it.”
She had the procedure done on one eye to start. After an acclimation period, she’s now able to read again without the use of her glasses.
“If you have issues with your eyes, I don’t know if it works for everybody, but I’m telling you. I’m sitting here able to read that word I couldn’t pronounce (presbyopia) and see this,” the Oscar-winning actress said, holding up a pamphlet with small type.
During the segment, one of Goldberg’s co-hosts, Sunny Hostin, confessed she needs eyeglasses to see but rarely wears them on the show.
“What most viewers don’t know is that I can’t see without these,” Hostin said, donning a stylish frame, before taking them right off. “But I don’t wear them on air because I’m too vain.”
Interestingly, not wearing glasses is something Goldberg is still getting used to. She even joked that anyone under the age of 28 probably never saw her without a pair of specs. However, she’s been pleased with the results so far.
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“If you are having any issues with your eyes, please go have them checked. Because, you know, the bionic times have arrived,” Goldberg said with a laugh, before pitching the procedure in a more serious tone. “If you can get this done and you need this done, please do yourself a favor. It is worth it.”
You can watch the entire four-minute segment below.
