Former Corrie Star Lisa George Shares Fears Over Vision Loss: ‘Hopefully I Won’t Go Blind’
Former Coronation Street actress Lisa George, known for her role as Beth Tinker, recently opened up about her health challenges and concerns for her future. Lisa, who permanently lost part of the sight in her right eye in 2016 after a gardening accident, was diagnosed in 2022 with a condition called NAION—non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy—which causes sudden vision loss in one eye, according to Metro.co.uk.
Reflecting on the impact of her diagnosis, Lisa admitted that her upcoming role as the Fairy Godmother in the pantomime Cinderella has sparked fears about managing on stage, particularly in dark scenes. “I just thought, ‘I’m never going to be able to do this; I won’t be able to see a thing,’” she shared with the Daily Record. Her panto team, however, has assured her of their support, with the director promising she won’t be left in the dark alone.
The actress also reflected on her mental health journey after the initial injury in 2016, which left her with permanent damage to her right eye. “When my first eye went, I was really depressed; I had my license taken off me,” she revealed. Wearing an eye patch during recovery and coping with pain, Lisa was anxious about the limitations the injury would impose. “I was really like, ‘Oh my god, what’s going to happen?’” she shared. Fortunately, she was eventually able to resume driving with her remaining vision.
Lisa’s departure from Coronation Street earlier this year was bittersweet. Reflecting on her time on the show, she noted how quickly the years flew by, saying, “You get so engrossed in this world, and it is timeless. It feels like you’ve only been here a year or two.” Filming her final scene as Beth Tinker was emotional, as she knew it marked the end of her journey on the cobbles. “Halfway through, when he called the cab to stop, I actually got really, quite tearful. I cried afterward because it’s been this huge part of my life for such a long time.”
Despite her health challenges, Lisa is determined to pursue theater and acting opportunities while she can. “Hopefully, I won’t go blind with a bit of luck. I just wanted to be able to get back to my roots working in the theatre and doing other things,” she said. As she faces her new reality, Lisa is grateful for the support of her colleagues and is embracing her passion for the stage with hope and resilience.