However, at the age of 64, his vision started to deteriorate. He could no longer play the organ, compose music or direct choirs and orchestras. He was afraid of losing his job and his livelihood. What caused his blindness and how did he cope with it?
The most likely culprit was cataract, a clouding of the lens of the eye that reduces vision and causes glare. Cataract is a common condition in older people, especially those who have been exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. Bach was known to have played the organ without glasses even in his presbyopic age, which suggests that he was nearsighted and had to strain his eyes to see clearly.