A 40-year-old banker from Sandton is back at work after a shocking Easter weekend accident that left her with a corneal injury and a temporarily sealed eye.<\/p>\n
Vasna Autar, originally from the South Coast, described the late-night incident as a \u201cfreak accident\u201d that unfolded in her bedroom while her family slept.<\/p>\n
According to Autar, she intended to apply eye gel in the dark to avoid disturbing her husband and their 11-month-old baby.<\/p>\n
Instead, she mistakenly picked up a tube of superglue from her vanity, which was only there because she planned to fix a broken hair clip.<\/p>\n
\u201cI decided to put some eye gel into my eye at 11pm. When I reached over, instead of picking up the eye gel, I picked up superglue. The eye gel is in a tube similar to super glue. It was dark because I did not want to put the light on and disturb my baby and my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unaware of the mistake at first, Autar continued applying the substance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was thick at first and I was confused, so I started putting more in. It was stinging and I never thought anything about it. After a few seconds, I realised this was not normal because my eye was now stuck together.\u201d<\/p>\n
After turning on the light and discovering what had happened, she woke her husband, and the couple rushed to an emergency room.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went to the Sandton Mediclinic at 11.20pm. Since it was Easter Friday. There was only one doctor on call,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The attending doctor, after consulting an ophthalmologist, attempted to remove the glue by cutting and eventually plucking Autar\u2019s eyelashes, without the benefit of numbing medication.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the most horrible feeling I have ever felt. It was excruciatingly painful. Then he decided to start shaving it with a blade. It felt like he was cutting into my eyelid. I was in so much pain I could not even breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n
After approximately 20 minutes, her eye was finally opened, allowing doctors to administer numbing drops. However, due to holiday closures, she was unable to immediately access prescribed medication.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next morning, I was able to get to the pharmacy and get the medication, but it was not working. I got hold of my ophthalmologist and he changed my meds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Doctors later confirmed that Autar had suffered a corneal abrasion, a painful condition often described as feeling like sand in the eye.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very uncomfortable but I am lucky that I have my sight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the ordeal, Autar says her condition is improving and she remains grateful for her recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy eye was very swollen, but I am just happy that I can see. The superglue did some damage and I was terrified that I would not be able to see again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the incident, she admitted she was initially in disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it happened, I was in denial. This could not happen to me but there I was, sitting in the emergency room in the middle of the night with superglue in my eye.\u201d<\/p>\n
Autar added that the experience had changed her perspective on everyday risks.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family was very shocked. I am a particular and OCD person, but freak accidents can happen at any moment. I do not ever want to see superglue again. I will not keep it in my home.\u201d<\/p>\n