TikToker McEwen Baker, 26, Shares Journey with Progressive Vision Loss
A Chicago-based actress and bridal stylist is documenting her experience with rapidly progressing vision loss, hoping to connect with others and find support as she adjusts to life with limited sight.
McEwen Baker, 26, was diagnosed with uveitis, a form of eye inflammation, at age 2, which later led to glaucoma. She underwent 24 eye surgeries in an attempt to preserve her vision, but a traumatic incident to her right eye at age 15 significantly hampered those efforts. By 2022, she was declared legally blind in her right eye. Baker’s case highlights the challenges faced by individuals with rare and complex eye conditions. “My mom said, ‘I just really feel in my gut that something is wrong,’ ” Baker recalled.
The situation escalated in March 2023 when Baker woke up with significant vision loss in her left eye, later diagnosed as corneal edema. This condition, where the cornea swells and clouds vision, has become increasingly debilitating. She now experiences periods of complete blindness lasting days, and even weeks, impacting her ability to perform daily tasks. “I am actively going blind at the ripe age of 26…and it’s happening more quickly than I ever anticipated and it’s now starting to infringe on my life in a really real way,” she shared in an August TikTok post. For more information on uveitis and its impact, visit the National Eye Institute.
Baker turned to TikTok to share her story and seek community, and has been overwhelmed by the positive response. She is now connecting with others experiencing vision loss and finding support as she navigates this “huge life transition.” She is working with a therapist and exploring resources for the visually impaired. As reported by People Magazine, Baker says she’s “moving towards a place of acceptance” despite ongoing grief and uncertainty.
Baker continues to share updates on her journey online, and is actively seeking resources and support as her condition progresses. Doctors are continuing to monitor her condition and provide supportive care.
