VLADIMIR Putin refuses to wear glasses but the result of his vanity means being caught out using extra large font in his own speeches.

The Russian dictator has been caught out once again hiding his eyesight problems after new footage emerged showing glimpses of his war script printed in huge lettering and bold font.

The warring Russian appears to refuse to wear glasses, and so is regularly seen with copious sheets of notes as he addresses the nation or issues orders to his ministers.

At 72 years old he has reportedly used facial plastic surgery for years to hide the telltale signs of ageing.

But his eyesight is evidently not as good as it was – and the ex-KGB spy is tripped up by his own vanity when his texts are shown in large bold fonts which make him appear even older.

Putin refuses to wear spectacles in public “in order not to spoil his image”, according to one report.

This week he was shown in a likely pre-recorded 52-second Kremlin video of an online meeting with officials on money allocated for the occupied naval port Sevastopol in Crimea.

Unusually, he put down his notes page by page showing the large text in front of the camera.

Only at the end did he seek to cover up the large script, gathering his papers in a way that hid the large writing.

Four years ago, a report in Top News said: “We can conclude that Putin does have problems with his vision, but [his officials] are simply carefully hiding it.”

A post on X in 2019 highlighted that the problem is long-running.

From the satirical account ‘Darth Putin’, it read: “I’m not getting old. I don’t need reading glasses. It’s normal to print speeches in 72-point bold!!!”

Putin has been in power as Russian president or prime minister for more than a quarter of a century and during that time has been dedicated to projecting a strongman image.

This is not only on the world stage but in photographs of him in his spare time taking part in shirtless fishing and horse riding.

But as the ageing despot gets more desperate to hide his decline, it only becomes more noticeable.

His first address to the nation on New Year’s Eve 1999 shows the dramatic changes in the leader who was once slim, fresh-faced and strong, to now sparking regular health concerns.

Nowadays, the Russian leader is repeatedly seen with a puffy face, bizarre tremors, and twitching legs.

Even the Kremlin has been forced to rush out unprecedented comments and statements to fight the image of an ageing and decrepit leader.

The Kremlin’s concerns about the president’s “strongman” image come after it took a hit due to dramatic changes in his appearance.

He has been seen looking exhausted, out of breath, having difficulty walking, and pulling bizarre gurning faces.

There have also been times when Putin appeared to be in some kind of pain as he strongly gripped tables while in meetings, sparking rumours of Parkinson’s.

Around the same time in 2022, experts started noting his “bloated” and “weakened” appearance with some claiming he could have had thyroid cancer.

It was initially suggested that Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine on February 24 may have been sparked by his failing physical condition.

But, the Kremlin has continued to deny that the dictator has any health issues.

TIRED TYRANT

Last year, and rule forever.

The botox-loving dictator is said to have a vested interest in reverse ageing techniques that could make him look young and active.

Russian scientists have reportedly been ordered to submit details of their research to fight ageing.

A recent letter from the Russian health ministry demands scientists to reveal the latest developments to turn back Putin’s biological clock, Meduza reports.

The order, which left medical researchers in Russia shocked, is said to have been sent on behalf of Putin who is now desperate to live for as long as he can.

A source within Russia’s national medical research centre revealed: “We were asked to urgently send all our developments within one day.

“Orders came from the big boss [Putin] and health officials rushed to implement it as soon as possible.”

Putin’s rumoured health issues

DESPITE Putin’s cultivation of himself as an “action man” – questions have long been raised over his health.