‘Survivor’ Season 42: Rocksroy Has Keratoconus — Here’s What That Is
CBS’ Survivor Season 42 Episodes 6 and 7 featured more twists and turns — and the Survivor cast had no idea what was coming. The episode featured cast member Rocksroy Bailey getting exiled from the rest of the contestants for two days, and it gave him the power to change the game. During his time away, he talked about his eye condition, keratoconus. Here’s what it is.
[Spoiler alert: Spoilers ahead for Survivor Season 42 Episodes 6 and 7.]
Rocksroy Bailey from ‘Survivor’ Season 42 opened up about having keratoconus
Rocksroy Bailey was on the outs in Survivor Season 42 Episode 6. Before the episode’s first challenge, the contestants had to draw rocks from a bag — and Rocksroy drew one of two gray rocks. The rest of the cast then chose to send Rocksroy to an island with no resources and no shelter for two days while they mingled in one camp.
Host Jeff Probst tol Rocksroy he’d gain an advantage in the game for heading out to the island. While there, he was gifted the hourglass twist. By smashing the hourglass, he could “turn back time” and change which team went to Tribal Council, which he did.
Before learning of the hourglass twist, he opened up to the cameras about loving every second of competing on the show. And he also mentioned his keratoconus.
“I’m trying to soak everything in,” he said. “Take a mental picture of this because one of my biggest challenges is my vision. I have keratoconus, which is the coning of your cornea. I’ve had to have surgeries on both of my eyes for it, and it could lead to blindness. So, this may be the last time, at my age, that I’m able to just see how beautiful our planet is. It’s emotional.”
What is keratoconus?
After Rocksroy Bailey opened up on Survivor Season 42 about keratoconus, fans are likely wondering what they should know about the disease.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, keratoconus happens when the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape. The cornea is the dome-shaped, clear area in the front of the eye. As for how keratoconus happens, doctors remain unsure. There appears to be a genetic component, as one out of every 10 people with the condition also has a parent who has it. But the condition can also happen from eye allergies, excessive rubbing of the eyes, and various disorders that affect connective tissue.
Typically, the condition affects both eyes. Early symptoms include blurry or distorted vision, eye redness or swelling, and light sensitivity. Those with severe keratoconus may need to get corneal transplants.
Who was eliminated on ‘Survivor’ Season 42 Episodes 6 and 7?
Rocksroy Bailey had a disadvantage when heading to the separate island, but he didn’t go home. So, who was eliminated on Survivor Season 42 Episodes 6 and 7?
Cast members floated several names before Tribal Council, but they decided on Lydia. Omar knew Jonathan, his alliance member, was in danger. While he lost his vote, he convinced the majority of his alliance (Jonathan, Omar, Lindsay, Hai, Lydia, Mike, Drea, and Rocksroy) to vote for Lydia. Lydia got axed, while votes also went toward Jonathan, Lydia, and Maryanne.
Survivor Season 42 airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
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