How South African woman suffered temporary blindness from lash extension

A routine beauty day turned into a medical emergency for a South African woman, Refilwe Motiang, on Thursday, June 19, after a visit to the salon resulted in temporary blindness.

Motiang had gone out for what she described as a pamper day, intending to get her lashes, nails, and hair done. However, shortly after completing her lash appointment, she began to experience extreme discomfort and burning in her eyes.

“The pain was unbearable and my eyes were very teary,” she recounted on Facebook. “It felt like I had rocks in my eyes and I was suddenly unable to open them.”

She immediately called her husband, who picked her up from the salon. Upon returning home, the severity of her condition prompted him to rush her to the emergency unit at Netcare Waterfall Hospital.

Medical staff at the hospital confirmed that the lash glue used on her had caused a chemical abrasion to her cornea, leading to temporary blindness.

“Yes… I have not been able to see properly since that day,” she revealed.

For several days following the incident, she lived in complete darkness. “It’s one of the most terrifying and humbling things I’ve ever experienced,” she said.

Although she is now gradually regaining her vision, her sight has not fully returned. She is scheduled to visit a specialist weekly until her eyesight is fully restored.

Sharing her ordeal on social media, the woman said her aim was not to seek sympathy but to raise awareness about the hidden dangers in some beauty treatments.

“Not everything we do for beauty is harmless,” she cautioned. “Sometimes the effects are far more serious than we realize.”

Despite the trauma, she says her faith has kept her grounded.

“Life didn’t end when I lost my sight. But it changed. And through it all, I’ve seen God’s hand carry me — even when I physically couldn’t see anything at all.”

Her experience has sparked conversations online about safety standards in beauty salons and the importance of ensuring that products used in cosmetic procedures are medically approved.