HOUSTON – Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, a former Navy SEAL who lost his right eye to an improvised explosive device in 2012, says he will be temporarily blind following surgery on his left eye.
Crenshaw explained the need for surgery via a news release the congressman shared on his social media channels.
“A few days ago, I noticed some dark, blurry spots in my vision, which seemed to be out of the ordinary. I went to get this checked out by an ophthalmologist on Thursday and they discovered that my retina was detaching,” he wrote.
Crenshaw attributed the issue with his left eye to the explosion that took his right eye.
“This is a terrifying prognosis for someone with one eye, and the nature of the injuries I sustained in Afghanistan,” Crenshaw continued. “Anyone who knows the history of my injuries knows that I don’t have a ‘good eye,’ but half a good eye. The blast from 2012 caused a cataract, excessive tissue damage, and extensive damage to my retina.”
Crenshaw said he underwent surgery on Friday.
“The surgery went well, but I will be effectively blind for about a month. I want to especially thank the phenomenal team of doctors and nurses at the VA who took such good care of me,” Crenshaw wrote.
Crenshaw said he will remain out of the public while he recovers.
“This is why you’re not going to hear from me for a while. I likely will not be conducting interviews and likely will not be posting on social media, except to give updates on my health and recovery,” he wrote.
Elected in 2018, Crenshaw represents Texas’s 2nd congressional district, which includes parts of northern and western Houston.
