John Cena Thought ‘Redness and Itchiness’ in His Eyes Was Due to Age. Then Found Out He Had Excessive Eye Mites (Exclusive)
John Cena Thought ‘Redness and Itchiness’ in His Eyes Was Due to Age. Then Found Out He Had Excessive Eye Mites (Exclusive)
Meredith WilshereThu, May 14, 2026 at 2:47 PM UTC
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John Cena for Tarsus
Credit: Tarsus
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John Cena was diagnosed with Demodex blepharitis after experiencing redness, itchiness and vision issues, which he originally attributed to aging
The WWE star credits an eye exam and FDA-approved treatment XDEMVY for relieving his symptoms and raising awareness of the condition
Cena emphasizes the importance of regular health checkups and prioritizing overall well-being as his focus shifts later in life
John Cena's time in the WWE was marked by his signature "You Can't See Me" taunt, but after wrapping up his pro wrestling career, he started having issues with his own vision and overall eye health.
However, Cena tells PEOPLE that he assumed it was likely just due to age.
“I had a lot of redness and itchiness, and every once in a while, waking up with eye crusties and stuff," he shares. "At the same time, given my age — I'm 49 now — my vision was going a little bit, so I just figured it was par for the course. But because my vision was going, I needed to see if I needed glasses or prescriptions."
Up until then, Cena says he had been pushing off his eye appointment, telling himself the symptoms were caused by bright "lights," "spending way too much time on my screen" or "old age." However, knowing he has to be in front of a camera “all the time" and, more importantly, for his "own well-being," the Peacemaker star finallybooked his visit.
“I recommend that everybody do the same. A regular eye checkup is just as important as taking care of your teeth or anything else," he emphasizes. "The examination was easy. It's certainly part of a regular eye exam, and the diagnosis was simple."
In going to the eye doctor to address his eyesight issues, Cena was actually "diagnosed with Demodex blepharitis, which I didn't even know existed."
John Cena for Tarsus
Credit: Tarsus
Demodex blepharitis (DB) is an eyelid disease caused by an infestation of Demodex mites, microscopic parasites that live in hair follicles, which are commonly found on humans. The condition causes itchy eyes, puffy eyelids and crusty flakes along the eyelashes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
From there, the WWE superstar was prescribed XDEMVY — FDA-approved prescription eye drops from Tarsus Pharmaceuticals — and says that, "immediately, all that stuff went away.”
“Now, I still need my readers, but I don't have that redness, that itchiness and certainly not waking up with the crusties,” Cena shares.
Cena notes that it was quite a "learning experience" for him.
"That's actually how I became organically connected with Tarsus, was simply by getting an eye examination instead of trying to play at-home MD," the athlete-turned-actor adds. "It was high time for me to get one. I've been very lax on seeing a professional eye doctor, and I'm so lucky and grateful I did."
“The great thing about XDEMVY is that it is the only FDA-approved treatment for Demodex blepharitis, or DB, as I like to shorten it, and it was quite easy," Cena says. "You know, its drops twice a day for six weeks, and my symptoms are gone."
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Cena was surprised to learn that DB is a common but underdiagnosed eyelid condition impacting roughly 25 million Americans, and "that is just the people who've gone to their doctor and been checked out," he emphasizes.
Going to see an eye specialist is the “bold, first step.”
“I'm super happy to be partnering with Tarsus because I believe these people have created something good and something that can provide people with a lot of relief," Cena says. "Step one is to get to a professional, and I think from there on, should you get diagnosed with DB, there is a really great option out there with XDEMVY from Tarsus.”
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Before this, Cena had never heard about DB, noting that it's one of those things that “hides in plain sight.”
“If you're out there struggling, this is a layup. It's an easy one. Go to a professional, get checked out. If you get diagnosed, there's hope, and there's promise on the other side,” Cena tells PEOPLE.
John Cena in January 2020
Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty
The WWE World Champion shares that his focus and priorities have shifted over the years, and so has how he views his health.
“I used to be in the realm of an everyday WWE competitor, and I call it the phase when I felt young and bulletproof. I just used to try to train to be the strongest me I could be," he reflects. "Now, it's much more of my overall health, my mobility and general strength, and that's physical, mental and spiritual."
"I want all of that to try to stay on course and look to improve where I can over the next 30 to 50 years. I know I'm saying that puts me at 100, and I'm crossing my fingers for it," he adds.
From a mental standpoint, Cena says he's been trying to live with “minimal distractions.”
“It's very difficult nowadays with all the information we have, and trying to be present and connect with those you love from a spiritual standpoint, take some time just to breathe and be patient and let moments sink in and lead with gratitude and live into my values,” Cena says.
“Certainly, from a physical standpoint, getting checked by professionals for whatever ailment I might have, or just preventative checks, and keeping up to date with every piece of information I can find, moving around, and making good nutritional choices," he continues. "That's my well-rounded spirit, mind and body triangle, which has morphed into how I'm looking at things. I started that perspective at 45 and after."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
