McFly singer and former Strictly star Tom Fletcher had an unexpected detour to the emergency room this week after waking up to a painful and alarming flare-up of his rare eye condition.
The 39-year-old musician, who has been battling uveitis for years, described the experience as feeling like he had been “smashed in the face.”
A Battle With Uveitis
Uveitis is a rare and painful eye condition that causes inflammation inside the eye.
If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including vision loss and even blindness.
Symptoms often include pain, blurred vision, and extreme sensitivity to light, requiring immediate medical attention when a flare-up occurs.
Tom, who lives in Richmond, London, with his wife, actress Giovanna Fletcher, and their three sons, shared an update on Instagram detailing his ordeal.
He posted a selfie on his Story, showing visible swelling on the left side of his face.
“Not the day I had planned. Uveitis sucks! My autoimmune thing flared up out of nowhere last night.
Woke up feeling (and looking) like I’d been smashed in the face! This is after it had calmed down and I could see again,” he wrote.
Rushing to the Hospital
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Tom made his way to the A&E department at The Western Eye Hospital in London.
Although he admitted that he dreads having to visit, he expressed immense gratitude for the doctors and nurses who have helped him through multiple flare-ups over the years.
“Hate having to come here but so thankful it exists! The doctors and nurses have helped me out so many times now,” he shared.
Doctors have now prescribed him daily eye drops for the next six weeks to manage the condition.
This isn’t his first encounter with a severe flare-up—he’s been rushed to the hospital multiple times in recent years, including a particularly bad episode in late 2022, which required six weeks of steroid treatment.
Ongoing Health Struggles
Tom has been open about his struggles with the condition and how it has disrupted his life at the most unexpected times.
In 2023, he faced another flare-up, just months after being bedridden with another illness.
At the time, he told his followers, “Sorry I’ve been quiet for a bit.
I was wiped out with some sort of illness and in bed for a few days.
I just got back on my feet yesterday and uveitis decided to kick me down again.”
McFly Drama Adds to the Stress
As if dealing with a painful eye condition wasn’t enough, Tom has also found himself unwillingly caught up in some unexpected drama involving his McFly bandmate Danny Jones.
Reports have surfaced about Danny sharing a “drunken kiss” with Love Island star Maura Higgins at the Brit Awards.
According to sources, Tom—who was also at the event—was left feeling “uncomfortable” and “humiliated” over the situation, despite not being directly involved.
A source told The Sun, “Tom wasn’t there when it happened, but he feels like he’s still associated with what went on.”
McFly, formed in 2003, consists of Tom, Danny, Harry Judd, and Dougie Poynter.
The band has been open about their internal struggles over the years, even attending therapy to navigate the complexities of their friendship.
Harry once admitted, “We all had different ways of communicating. Dougie and Danny hate confrontation.
So it creates problems and resentment. And people can be too controlling. All these layers build up. It’s men not talking, really.”
What Is Uveitis?
For those unfamiliar, uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, known as the uvea.
It can cause significant discomfort and changes in vision.
While most cases can be treated with steroid medication, prolonged or repeated flare-ups can lead to more severe conditions like glaucoma or cataracts.
The NHS recommends that anyone experiencing symptoms such as eye pain, redness, or blurry vision seek medical attention immediately.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Tom remains positive and is focusing on his recovery.
With a dedicated medical team and a strong support system at home, he’s determined to manage his condition while continuing his career.
Fans have flooded his social media with well-wishes, hoping for a swift recovery.
For now, he’s taking things one day at a time—eye drops in hand and a determined mindset to get back on track.