Texas Rep. Crenshaw says he needs eye surgery, will be blind for a month

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw said Saturday that he is entering the hospital for eye surgery and will be functionally blind for at least a month while recovering. 

Crenshaw, known in Washington and on media for his distinctive eye patch, lost one eye while serving in Afghanistan and suffered damage to the other.

"It was always a possibility," he wrote on Twitter, "that the effects of the damage to my retina would resurface, and it appears that is exactly what has happened." 

Crenshaw wrote that the surgery on his eye "went well," but "I will be effectively blind for about a month," he said. 

The 37-year-old said his congressional offices would remain open while he recovers. 

"I've got [wife] Tara by my side, and we are here in Houston with plenty of support," he wrote. "A few prayers that my vision will get back to normal and that I will make a full recovery wouldn't hurt, though, and would be much appreciated."