Deep Purple's Ian Gillan Reveals Vision Loss, Eyes Retirement

Ian Gillan, the 80-year-old frontman of Deep Purple, has disclosed a significant decline in his vision and indicated that retirement from the band may be imminent, as revealed in a recent interview with Uncut magazine.

Gillan, who turns 80 this year, explained that he now has only 30 percent of his vision, a condition that will not improve. "It's one of those things. I've only got 30 percent vision. That won't get better. It makes life mysterious," he said. The loss has particularly affected his daily work, including using a laptop. "The hardest thing is working on my laptop. I can't see anything on the screen unless I use my peripheral vision. I pick up a line by looking at it sideways. But you find a way. You adapt. But it's achingly tiresome. It takes a long time to do the work."

Despite the challenges, Gillan maintains a humorous outlook on aging. "It's hilarious this growing old thing. It's a laugh a minute. Well, sometimes yes and sometimes no. I walk down the road and hear something drop off, clang, there's something else gone. Nothing's changed really apart from I can't pole vault any more. Other than that, things move a little more slowly. But nothing's changed. If...