Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac has candidly revealed his struggles with an eye condition that jeopardizes his vision, admitting that he lives in constant fear of becoming "partially blind" or, as he describes it, "professionally blind."
His revelations were made during an interview titled "Ulises Toirac: Memories, Challenges, and the Will to Continue," shared on the YouTube channel CubamásTV as part of the podcast Todos Hablan.
On Tuesday, Toirac took to Facebook to share a revised transcript of the conversation for those who couldn't watch the full video.
The Health Struggle
When actor Jorge Martínez asked about one of his life's toughest moments, Toirac unhesitatingly pointed to his visual health issues. "Right now, I'm dealing with a pretty tough situation regarding my vision," he admitted, explaining the loss of focus in one of his eyes.
He described the condition as affecting the retina's center, with "a kind of small blood vessels dilating and deforming," ultimately impairing the central vision needed for reading and facial recognition.
Visual Deterioration and Emotional Impact
The comedian vividly detailed how he experiences this deterioration: straight lines appear curved, and the image's center becomes blurry.
Despite still being able to navigate his surroundings, Toirac highlighted that the central area required for detail is compromised, noting that in one eye, it has already "gone to a better place."
His concerns escalated when similar symptoms emerged in the other eye, prompting an immediate visit to the doctor.
Medical Intervention and Ongoing Fear
Toirac explained that while medical advances exist, the treatment can only halt further damage, not reverse it. "What they've managed to do is stop the process, not cure it," he stated.
He began receiving intraocular injections to slow the condition's progression in the affected eye, aiming to prevent further vision loss.
Identifying his condition as macular degeneration, Toirac acknowledged that the fear of further vision loss remains ever-present. "That fear hasn't gone away. This disease isn't curable," he emphasized, noting that triggers for the condition persist, leaving him constantly under the threat of partial blindness.
Professional Concerns and Future Preparations
Toirac offered a personal take on his condition, dubbing it "professionally blind." His fear extends beyond daily navigation to potentially losing the visual capacity necessary for his work.
As a comedian and seasoned writer, the prospect of impaired vision would profoundly impact his professional life. "It would make reading and writing impossible," he said.
Toirac has even begun exploring tools to aid him if his vision further deteriorates, including mobile phone systems enabling dictation and information access without traditional reading. "These are crucial elements for me," he remarked.
The topic resurfaced during the interview when discussing dictation tools available on smartphones. Toirac revealed his familiarity with them, having researched options when he first contemplated the possibility of blindness.
He did not shy away from discussing the emotional toll of such uncertainty. "There's a hell of a fear because professionally, it would be... can you imagine?" he expressed.
Using humor to address his fears, he joked about the challenges of navigating a stage if his vision worsened, but quickly acknowledged the seriousness: "It would be a brutal blow."
Despite the diagnosis and potential for further vision loss, Toirac strives not to let fear dictate his life.
"We only have one life, and every minute should be lived as if it's the last, and learned from as if it's the first," he reflected. "There's always a way to fight and always a way to move forward."
This eye condition is not new. In August 2025, Toirac publicly disclosed his incurable eye disease and the onset of symptoms in his second eye.
Days later, he announced starting treatment to halt the visual deterioration's progress.
After undergoing one of the procedures, Toirac expressed gratitude for the support received and confirmed the intervention went well.
His choice to seek medical care in Cuba sparked social media debates, which he addressed publicly days later.
Understanding Ulises Toirac's Eye Condition
What condition is affecting Ulises Toirac's vision?
Ulises Toirac is experiencing macular degeneration, a condition that affects the central part of the retina, leading to vision impairment.
How is Ulises Toirac managing his eye condition?
He is undergoing treatment with intraocular injections to halt further damage, though the condition cannot be reversed.
What are Ulises Toirac's concerns about his professional life?
Toirac fears losing the visual capacity necessary for his work as a comedian, writer, and scriptwriter, which would significantly impact his professional life.