Mum Almost Blinded After Mistaking Nail Glue for Eye Drops
A mother from Watford in Hertfordshire is fortunate to still have her eyesight after a terrifying incident where she mistakenly used nail glue instead of eye drops, as reported by Wales Online. Charlene Johnstone, a 43-year-old mum-of-two, found herself in a panic after squeezing the liquid into her left eye, only to experience a burning sensation and her eye sticking together. The mix-up occurred on December 18th, as she was getting changed after a workout at the gym. Charlene, who works as a restaurant manager, recounted the harrowing experience of her eye starting to burn and stick together immediately after using the nail glue, mistaking it for her eye drops due to their similar packaging.
Following the incident, Charlene rushed to rinse her eye with hot water for 15 minutes in the gym’s changing room shower. However, as her eyelid remained glued shut, she sought medical help at the A&E department of Watford General Hospital. From there, she was referred to an eye specialist at St Mary’s Hospital in London. The excruciating pain and fear mounted as Charlene struggled to see out of either of her eyes. Fortunately, a nurse at St Mary’s Hospital was able to delicately remove the adhesive from her left eye using tweezers and a saline solution. Distressing images reveal the aftermath of the incident, showing Charlene squinting through a bloodshot eye.
After the adhesive was removed, Charlene was left with blurry vision and was informed that the nail glue had caused chemical burns to her eye and scratched her iris. Miraculously, a month on, her vision has completely returned. To prevent such a mishap from recurring, Charlene has discarded all nail glue bottles in her house. She emphasised the importance of speaking out about her ordeal to raise awareness and offer advice to others who might find themselves in a similar situation.
In an interview, Charlene shared her immediate reaction to the burning sensation in her eye, describing the panic and pain she endured when one eye wouldn’t open, causing a domino effect with the other eye due to her distress. She recalled attempting various methods at home to alleviate the situation, including using eyelash remover glue and Vaseline to try to open her glued-shut eye, a process that resulted in further discomfort.
After the nurse successfully removed the glue from her eye, Charlene was discharged with medications and instructions for recovery. She highlighted the necessity of prompt action in such cases, advising others to rinse their eyes with hot water and seek medical attention swiftly. Charlene expressed gratitude for regaining her eyesight and learning from the incident by eliminating nail glue from her daily routine. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of distinguishing between products and taking precautions to avoid dangerous mix-ups.
Instances like Charlene’s highlight the significance of product awareness and the potential risks of mishandling items that closely resemble each other. The incident serves as a reminder for consumers to double-check the products they are using, especially those that are essential for health and well-being. Charlene’s proactive approach to sharing her experience underscores the importance of education and vigilance in preventing accidents that could have long-lasting consequences. Her resilience and recovery offer hope and encouragement to others who may face similar challenges in the future, emphasising the importance of safety and diligence in daily routines.
This incident sheds light on the importance of raising awareness about product safety and the need for clear labelling to prevent such mix-ups. Charlene’s willingness to share her story not only educates others about the risks but also empowers individuals to take extra precautions in handling everyday items. As she continues to recover and rebuild her routine post-accident, her advocacy for caution and timely intervention stands as a valuable lesson for everyone. Charlene’s experience serves as a reminder that a moment of confusion can have severe consequences, urging everyone to exercise mindfulness and attention to detail in their daily activities.