11.01.2026 18:42
A simple household accident experienced by a 25-year-old woman living in the U.S. while doing laundry resulted in permanent vision loss. The lack of adequate and timely intervention after bleach splashed into her eye led to a chemical burn that caused an ulcer on the cornea. Despite intensive treatment administered in the hospital, the young mother suffered permanent damage to her right eye, estimated at 5 to 10 percent, highlighting how dangerous chemical substances can be.
An ordinary household chore had lasting consequences in the life of a 25-year-old mother living in the U.S. While doing laundry, Dejah Maynard was exposed to a chemical substance and faced permanent vision loss in her right eye.
HOUSEHOLD CHORE TURNED INTO A TRAGEDY
The incident occurred in October in Roseburg, Oregon. While washing clothes at home, Dejah Maynard reported that a bottle of bleach slipped from her hand and hit the hard floor, causing the liquid to splash onto her face. The chemical substance came into direct contact with the area around her eye.
After the splash, the young woman experienced a brief moment of panic, reflexively rubbed her eyes, and quickly washed her face. However, since she did not feel any burning or severe pain, she thought the situation was not serious. Not seeing any symptoms, she preferred to rest and sleep.
WOKE UP TO A NIGHTMARE
According to a report in the Daily Star, in the morning, Maynard noticed severe swelling and significant vision impairment in her right eye, realizing she could hardly open it. She then went to the hospital urgently. Initial examinations revealed that the chemical substance had remained under her eyelid throughout the night and caused severe irritation to the cornea. Doctors determined that the bleach had created an ulcer on the surface of her eye.
TREATMENT BEGAN IMMEDIATELY
The young mother, diagnosed with a chemical burn, began to have her eye cleaned using a special washing method. As part of the treatment, a medical device called Morgan Lensi was used to remove the chemical substances from her eye. Along with this method, which provided a continuous flow of liquid to the eye, Maynard was also given antibiotics and steroid-containing medications. She was then placed under the care of an ophthalmologist.
PERMANENT VISION LOSS
As a result of the examinations, it was announced that Maynard experienced 5 to 10 percent permanent vision loss in her right eye. Preparing for new glasses measurements, the young woman stated that she would now have a more limited vision in her daily life. Reflecting on her experience, Maynard expressed that she thought the initial intervention was sufficient, but realized it was a significant mistake. She reported that doctors told her that if she stayed awake, the tear reflex could have cleaned the chemical earlier.
"IT FELT LIKE SHARP PIECES WERE STABBING INTO MY EYE"
Maynard stated that the Morgan lens used during the treatment was extremely painful and expressed that she could not endure the entire duration required for its application. She described her feeling as, "It felt like sharp pieces were stabbing into my eye."
URGENT WARNING: WASH YOUR EYES IMMEDIATELY
Maynard, who said she went through a psychologically difficult process after the incident, warned against similar accidents. She emphasized that if chemical substances come into contact with the eyes, one should wash them without delay and for an extended period. The young woman said, "Such accidents can completely blind a person. I narrowly escaped experiencing more severe consequences."