Woman’s Lifelong Battle with Vision Loss Takes a Devastating Turn

A woman whose life has been marked by serious vision challenges has shared the harrowing moment she discovered her sight had vanished. McEwen Baker, now 26, has faced eye problems since childhood, beginning with a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of two. This condition, which often leads to eye inflammation, has resulted in a series of complications throughout her life.

Baker’s journey began when her mother noticed unusual swelling in her knee, prompting a visit to the doctor. After several consultations, they were referred to The Wilmer Eye Institute in Maryland, where Baker received critical treatment for uveitis, a severe inflammatory eye condition. “They told my mom that, if I had come in any later, I would have gone blind,” Baker recalled in an interview with Newsweek.

At just six years old, Baker faced another setback as she developed glaucoma, which damaged her optic nerve. She underwent numerous procedures to manage the pressure in her eyes and was often in and out of hospital. Over the years, Baker has endured a staggering 24 eye procedures, yet her vision continued to decline.

An unexpected incident at age 16 further complicated her situation. A friend accidentally hit her in the eye, resulting in a full globe rupture that undid much of the surgical progress she had made. This incident necessitated emergency surgery at the University of Kentucky. Unfortunately, the trauma was extensive, and her right eye has been classified as legally blind since 2022.

Baker’s struggles did not end there. She has dealt with multiple complications, including clogged shunts, calcium buildup on her cornea, and two failed cornea transplants. “While all these treatments were crucial for managing my conditions and preserving what vision I had, over time, their combined effects, along with the underlying disease, have led to the gradual breakdown of my corneas,” she explained.

After becoming accustomed to seeing only with her left eye, Baker experienced a significant shift on March 17, 2023. She awoke to what she initially thought was a lighting issue, only to discover that she had lost all vision in her left eye. Fearing a retinal detachment, she rushed to the hospital for an evaluation. The diagnosis confirmed her fears: the cornea in her left eye was deteriorating similarly to her right.

“The gradual death of my corneal endothelial cells causes swelling and a haze that I can’t see through,” Baker stated. This revelation marked a turning point, forcing her to confront the reality of her condition.

Now, her vision fluctuates daily, with some mornings requiring extra time for her eyes to adjust before she can see. In August 2025, she began experiencing entire days without vision, a challenge she has learned to navigate. “My vision is unpredictable, which makes it very hard to explain when meeting new people,” she noted. “Sometimes I can see, and sometimes I can’t, but I never see well.”

In an effort to connect with others facing similar struggles, Baker took to TikTok, sharing her vision loss story. “I never imagined it would generate interest, but to my surprise, the clip has amassed over 44,800 views and more than 3,500 likes,” she shared.

Baker expressed her desire to break free from the silence that has often surrounded her condition. She has been overwhelmed by the positive responses to her story, which have helped her forge connections with others who share her experiences. In her own words, she encourages others to be open about their challenges: “Share your story because someone out there might need to hear it as much as you need them to listen. There is still so much good in the world, and your vulnerability is a superpower.”

Baker continues to face her health challenges with resilience and hopes her journey can inspire others to share their own stories.