Coronation Street Star Lisa George Opens Up on Hospital Scare After Losing Eyesight
After 13 years playing the fiery Beth Tinker on Coronation Street, actress Lisa George has been facing one of her most personal and frightening challenges — partial loss of her eyesight.
The Grimsby-born star, 51, revealed she was rushed to hospital after suddenly losing vision during a night out in 2022. Doctors diagnosed her with NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), a rare eye condition that causes sudden loss of sight due to disrupted blood flow to the optic nerve.
“I remember thinking, something is really wrong,” Lisa recalls. “I looked at the menu and it was all blurry. The next day I was in A&E and spent a week in hospital.”
Lisa first experienced vision loss in 2016 but had struggled for years without answers. Her second episode confirmed the lifelong diagnosis. “They told me it was linked to my diabetes. I hadn’t been fully diagnosed yet,” she said.
Living With Visual Impairment
Now officially classed as visually impaired, Lisa has learned to adapt. She uses varifocals for driving and glasses for reading, and avoids night driving due to blind spots. “I can see distances fine, but words and numbers are blurred. When filming Corrie, I always asked to be on the inside of the pavement in dark scenes because I couldn’t see the edge of the kerb.”
Despite her condition, Lisa continues to work and advocate for accessibility in the entertainment industry. She recently appeared on the cover of Vista Magazine for National Eye Health Week, and is recording literature for the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s 90th anniversary project.
“When I was on Corrie, the only reason people knew was because my script was in size 16 font!” she laughs. “I do worry about being labelled visually impaired, but I refuse to let it hold me back.”
Life After the Cobbles
Since leaving Coronation Street in 2024, Lisa has dived into new passions — including studying Tudor history, Native American culture, and the wives of Henry VIII through online diplomas. She also became a board member for Acting Lincs, helping Lincolnshire-based talent connect with the industry.
“I’m not just Beth Tinker,” Lisa says. “I’d love to do a period drama — something 1940s or 50s. I want to sing again, too. Before Corrie, I performed with a big band and taught music. There’s so much more I want to do.”
A Health and Confidence Transformation
Lisa has also undergone a major personal transformation. After years of struggling with severe stomach issues, she found relief through a low-FODMAP diet from The IBS & Gut Health Clinic in Wilmslow.
“Food used to make me feel really ill and bloated,” she says. “Once I changed my diet, the weight dropped off and I started to feel like myself again.”
Earlier this year, she had a subtle eyelift procedure, which she describes as “life-changing.” “My saggy eyes were really ageing me,” she admits. “Now I’m finally happy when I see my reflection.”
Bravery Beyond the Screen
Lisa’s openness about her eyesight and health battles has inspired many of her fans. “I don’t want sympathy — I just want people to know it’s possible to keep going,” she insists.
From Dancing on Ice to the Coronation Street cobbles, Lisa George has proven she’s as strong as the characters she plays — resilient, determined, and always ready to fight her way back into the light.