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Accidental fall costs housemaid an eye

DUBAI — At times, mistakes made while performing domestic chores can prove fatal. One such mistake cost Fatima her sight when household bleach accidentally fell into her eye, damaging it permanently.

Domestic help Fatima recalls her ordeal saying that she had been asked to clean the kitchen walls using 'Clorox'.

“Standing on a chair, I had kept the Clorox in a bowl next to me when, suddenly I lost balance and in an effort to regain it accidentally tipped over the bowl of bleach which fell into my eye,” she told Khaleej Times.

Then while she was lying on the floor clutching her eye and writhing in burning agony, her worried employer brought a cupful of hot water to rinse the eye.

“My eye was already burning from the toxic liquid. Add to that the hot water and it felt like my whole head was on fire,” she recalled. “I still wonder why she gave me hot water.”

Fatima said that her employer rushed her to Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, but they only washed the eye and said that she needed a full check-up.

“All this while, my eye kept on watering and gradually I lost my sight,” she explained. “My employer was very worried and she paid for my treatment. She also took me to Riaz Medical Centre in Sharjah and the doctors there told me that I may never see again with that eye.”

She also said that over the days, her whole head seemed to ache and she could not stand any bright light.

Explaining how the product affected Fatima's eye, Dr Mohammed Salman, GP, said: “The product contains a strong oxidiser and it may cause severe irritation or damage to the eyes, and even to the skin. In this case, the eyes should have been rinsed with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and prompt medical attention should have been be sought."

“There are many toxic substances that can permanently harm your eyes, and others that only cause temporary discomfort. Among the worst are ‘alkaline’ substances such as ammonia, bleach, and lye. These are ‘caustic’ substances that continue their devastation for days and even months,” he said.

And though most toxic burns of the eye will not result in permanent loss of vision, quick action can improve the prognosis for a total recovery.

“None of these toxic substances should be taken lightly, however. The first few minutes — sometimes seconds — after exposure are critical,” he warned, suggesting that washing the eyes is the emergency treatment for any foreign substance and tap water will work just fine.

"If you know the chemical is an alkaline material, water from the hose, kitchen tap, or even shower will do. Most importantly, you must wash out the eyes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes," said Dr Salman.