Lee Dong-gun Diagnosed with Rare Genetic Disease on 'My Ugly Duckling'

On the recent episode of SBS's variety show 'My Ugly Duckling,' actor Lee Dong-gun revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare genetic disease affecting only 1% of the population.

During the episode aired on the 28th, Lee Dong-gun visited the hospital with bloodshot eyes, raising concerns among the show's hosts. Instead of an eye examination, he underwent a full-body X-ray.

In a consultation with the doctor, Lee explained, "My eyes are bloodshot and slightly out of focus. When it gets severe, the redness intensifies, and I'm extremely sensitive to light. It feels painful to look at light, and I definitely feel a decline in my vision."

Lee confessed that he has been experiencing these symptoms for a year, saying, "Initially, it was terrifying because my vision was clearly deteriorating." The doctor noted, "It seems like you've been suffering from uveitis for a long time." The uvea is a layer in the middle of the eye that plays a crucial role in nourishing the eye and regulating light.

The doctor explained, "Besides pain, it can cause inflammation, redness, light sensitivity, and vision loss." Lee added, "I experience flare-ups at least once a month. I had to take additional antibiotics from the ophthalmologist to calm it down, and I practically lived on eye drops."

The doctor warned, "While uveitis can occur commonly, repeated episodes indicate something unusual," suggesting the possibility of ankylosing spondylitis, a rare disease affecting about 1% of the population, where the spine becomes rigid.

Shocked by the diagnosis, Lee recalled, "Ten years ago, I felt a stabbing pain in my trapezius muscle as if pierced by an awl. It hurt even when I breathed. At that time, I suspected a disc problem."

The doctor identified arthritis progressing to stages 2-3 in Lee's left sacroiliac joint, attributing the inflammation to the HLA-B27 gene. Despite no family history, Lee developed the condition with a 1-2% probability. The doctor advised, "It's genetic, so lifelong management is necessary. It's crucial to manage it through lifestyle changes like quitting alcohol and smoking and maintaining a healthy diet to control inflammation."

Upon learning about her son's rare disease, Lee's mother expressed her sorrow, saying, "I didn't know much about the disease. I thought it was just an eye problem. I wish I could take his place."

Reported by Kim Eun-jung, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr