A Place in the Sun presenter Jean Johansson has opened up about her 'life-changing' diagnosis of presbyopia, a condition that causes gradual loss of the eyes' ability to focus on nearby objects. The 42-year-old admitted she ignored signs of deteriorating eyesight for years but finally faced reality after an eye test.
Speaking about the impact of getting glasses, Johansson said: 'I can honestly say it's been life-changing.' She confessed she wasn't sure why it took so long to admit she needed glasses, attributing it to reluctance to accept the ageing process. Now, she embraces her new look and enjoys clear vision, no longer squinting when reading scripts or using her phone.
Writing in her Sunday Mail column, she joked: 'I'm [also] no longer stealing my mum's glasses to read a menu in a restaurant.' While she doesn't expect to join Jennifer Aniston and Rihanna as stylish glasses wearers, she loves her new frames. Johansson urged others to get their eyes tested if experiencing similar issues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, presbyopia is a normal part of ageing, typically starting in the early to mid-40s and progressing until around 65. Symptoms include blurry vision when reading without extending arms, headaches, and eye strain, often worsening when tired or in dim light.
Johansson also revealed that her agent has tried to get her on Strictly Come Dancing 'every year'. She told Love Sunday's Magazine she would 'love to do it' and her 'dream partner' would be Johannes Radebe. She will be watching this year's series closely as her friend Dr Punam Krishnan makes her dance floor debut.
