Outspoken talk show host, Glenn Beck, announced on Saturday that he has been diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy. To a massive crowd in Salt Lake City during a stop on his “American Revival” tour, he got emotional as he struggled to break the news and the consequences of this rare disease. Beck recounts that his doctor made the prognosis that he could potentially go blind within the next year.

A progressive and genetic condition, Macular Dystrophy is a buildup of fatty substances in the center of the retina (the macula). This produces grayish spots in the corneal stroma. Eyesight slowly deteriorates, with vision reduced between the ages of 20-40 years and the possibility of photosensitivity. Central vision is obliterated, leaving only peripheral vision intact. Reading of any kind, recognizing faces, and any action that requires attention to detail will no longer be possible. Beck says that his particular condition is at a critical level.

Having a continuing problem in focusing his eyes, he first got wind of his condition during a visit to Lenscrafters. The concerned employee suggested he see an opthamologist. "A couple of weeks ago I went to the doctor because of my eyes, I can't focus my eyes," Beck says as he tells the story receiving the news. "He did all kinds of tests and he said, 'you have macular dystrophy ...you could go blind in the next year. Or, you might not.” Taking the news particularly hard because of his love of reading, he also lamented to fans that he may never be able to see his wife and children again. Lightening the mood up a bit, Beck didn't waste an opportunity to joke about Obama's health care reform to the delight and amusement of the crowd.