First Date? Second Date? Engaged?

I had a question posed to me today to write a blog post:

When, in the scope of dating someone, should you mention and talk about your chronic illness?

The answer, like most things, varies from person to person. Overall, my opinion is that there should be mention of it relatively early on, especially if the person you are dating is likely to be affected in a prominent way.
Another way to look at it is: if you were healthy and dating someone with the issues you have, would it have an impact on your decision to date him/her?

But it's never that simple is it?

Many people feel like they have to hide their illnesses until a relationship becomes serious, to avoid that knee-jerk reaction of 'oh you're sick? I don't know if I can deal with that' followed by an early ghosting without bothering to ever get to know you. Others tend to reveal all information in the first date.
(From experience, I would say definitely don't do the latter. The first date is way too heavy).

For me specifically, these were the issues I felt would most likely have a greater impact on a significant other:
• I will likely lose my sight
• I will have major issues with mobility even separate from losing eyesight
• I will likely never be able to work
• I will always need medical care and medical coverage
• Traveling is a major limitation
• I cannot have kids naturally

These were all probable issues very early on. I knew most of these would be problematic before I turned 22 years old. These are major complications that would have a monumental impact on the person who chooses to spend his life with me. To me, if there was a chance the relationship was becoming serious AT ALL, I felt like it was my duty to divulge that information.
There are always workarounds and ways to experience everything - but I understood that it might be more complicated than someone is willing to jump into.
Within the first 5 dates (usually 3), it came up. I felt deceitful if I tried hiding it.

With that said, I did not find my one and only until my late 20s, getting married at age 32. It was 100% worth the wait, but I did go through a particularly tumultuous dating life. So perhaps my approach is not someone's idea of a good one.
Who's to say that if I had waited until a guy fell in love with me and then informed him of the seriousness of the situation that my story may have been quite different.
But how do you know when is too soon, too late, when he might skip town or, in the other case, feel betrayed or manipulated?

I always felt morally bound to be clear about the future issues that would likely come up due to several progressive disorders.

My advice is to read the situation. If your issues are simple to workaround, if it would not severely affect the life of your significant other, then you have no obligation to reveal such personal information until it becomes necessary.
However, if your medical issues are such that could greatly affect his/her decision to have a serious relationship, I would suggest mentioning it fairly early on. Not exactly a first date, but maybe within the initial 10 dates.