Credit: Kennedy News and Media
Woman Forced To Tape Or Glue Eyes Open So She Can See Due To Strange Condition
A woman suffers from a bizarre condition that means she has to tape or glue her eyes open.
Tia-Leigh Streamer, from Wimborne Minster, Dorset, U.K., has to inject herself with Botox to open her eyes, and tape and glue her eyelids open when it wears off.
It all began in May 2023, when she assumed she had hay fever when she woke up with a drooping eyelid.
Yet both GPs and doctors at Southampton hospital were baffled by what had caused it.
Then, one day in December 2023, she awoke to find she couldn’t open either eye.
Streamer was referred to a specialist who said she may possibly have a rare eyelid condition called blepharospasm.
Doctors at Royal Bournemouth hospital trialed Botox injections in her eyelids in March 2024 and ever since, she’s been unable to open her eyes without the jab.
Even when it’s effective, sunlight, car headlights, and computer screens can trigger her eyes to close.
When the Botox wears off, Streamer can only see by taping or gluing her eyelids open, or by holding her eyes open with her hands.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, blepharospasm is a condition involving uncontrollable muscle twitches or spasms forcing your eyes closed. Severe cases can prevent you from seeing.
Blepharospasm is rare and ‘very disruptive.’
While the condition is treatable, there isn’t a way to cure it yet.
Streamer said: “To be told I’ve got this for the rest of my life and not know why is a hard thing to deal with.
“I’ve not been coping very well. I was prescribed antidepressants half-way through it. I didn’t get along with them. I tried therapy, I’ve tried hypnotherapy but nothing was helping.
“The longer it’s gone on I’ve gotten used to it but there are still days where I get really down about it. Especially as the Botox runs out.
“The more often I have it, at some point my body will get used to the Botox and it won’t work anymore.
“I have them done every eight to 10 weeks at the moment. It was 12 weeks. But I only get about three to five weeks where it actually takes any effect.”
She added that when she glues or tapes them open, she ‘can’t blink at all,’ which doctors have warned could give her ‘more chance’ of damaging her eyes and possibly losing her sight.
Before Streamer began suffering symptoms of the condition, she was training to be an accountant. She’s had to stop working because of the blepharospasm.
“I was training to be an accountant and then as soon as I got ill I was basically told
that this was something that I could never do because of the computer screens,” she shared.
“It was awful to be honest, I had everything planned out. I was training to do that and I was saving to move out and get married and have children and it was all taken away from me.”
Streamer explained that the ‘main thing’ she struggles with is freedom her condition has taken from her.
“I can’t be as independent as much anymore,” she added.
Streamer no longer leaves the house on her own as she gets ‘too anxious’ and it’s prevented her from doing her passions, such as crocheting.
Streamer tied the knot in December 2024 and had Botox injections to ensure she could see on her special day.
“I wanted to make sure that I had the Botox two weeks before my wedding because it takes my eyes about a week to open after I’ve had it done,” she recalled.
“It was a scary day and I think that’s one of the reasons that prompted us to get married so quickly.
“I wanted to make sure I was going to be able to get married and be able to have my eyes open to see what’s going on.
“It [having a baby] is something that I worry about and I often have nightmares about it to be honest because even when I have Botox done, at night-time my eyes don’t open.
“Night-time is the worst, they just won’t open at all. I have nightmares about a baby next to me and it’s crying and I can’t wake my husband up and I can’t get around to help because of my eyes.
“I do know now there are things that can be put in place to help because obviously people who are blind all the time still have children.”
Streamer said it is going to be trial and error to see what works best regarding her condition.
Her doctor is going to change the volume of Botox he puts in the top and bottom lid of her eyes. He also may change where he injects.
These changes will be monitored and will be examined to see how long they last.
Streamer added: “It’s about hoping he’ll be able to find a better balance so we can have some longer effects out of the Botox.”
Related Article: Major Warning Issued After Woman’s ‘Muscles Exploded’ From Doing Too Many Pull-Ups
Related Article: Symptoms Of ‘Popcorn Lung’ As Teenager Develops Incurable Condition After Vaping
Want more stuff like this?
Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox!
