June Shannon has revealed that she is legally blind as a result of childhood cataracts that were not properly treated.
Mama June’s eyesight is obviously an issue during Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Season 2, when the family goes go-karting to celebrate her husband Sugar Bear’s 41st birthday.
Honey Boo Boo’s mother admits that her blurry vision make her afraid to get into a go-kart, and has prevented her from getting a driver’s license.
June Shannon’s eyesight has been an issue in the past when interacting with seven-year old daughter Honey Boo Boo and her sisters Pumpkin, 13, Chubbs, 16, and 18-year-old Chickadee.
During the season premiere, June Shannon, 33, was shown putting her daughters’ cell phones into a cheese ball bucket when they refused to stop texting. But when Mama June uses her own phone, she is forced to squint and hold it inches from her face.
During the first season, June Shannon was shown having to squint incredibly hard to see the numbers at Bingo. Her imperfect vision is also an issue when she tries to save money by doing Honey Boo Boo’s pageant make-up herself.
“My mama better stick to couponing and stay away from the makeup table,” Alana Thompson aka Honey Boo Boo says.
Though cataracts are very common in older people – with around 50% of adults developing them by age 80 – experts estimate that a baby’s chances of being born with cataracts is only around one in 5,000.
In the past Mama June has expressed insecurities about her “forklift foot” that was run over by a piece of heavy machinery. Even Sugar Bear wasn’t allowed to see her sockless.
But for the most part, June Shannon is confident, happy and doesn’t let physical issues get her down.
After encouragement from her family, Mama June takes the wheel at the go-kart track – and even laughs when the kart gets jammed and she has to be rescued by three attendants.
What are childhood cataracts?
- A cataract is an eye disease in which the clear lens of one or both eyes becomes cloudy
- It is estimated that one in 5,000 children are born with cataracts
- In most cases, the exact cause is not known, but some possible causes include genetic conditions or infections during pregnancy
- Doctors recommend performing surgery within the first two months and definitely by four months
- Cataract operations are generally very successful, with a low risk of serious complications
