Michelle Saaiman’s 16-month-old son, Juwan, developed a severe eye infection, initially mistaken for a simple issue. Despite treatment, his condition worsened.
A specialist diagnosed him with herpes simplex virus (HSV), likely contracted from a kiss. The virus caused irreversible damage to his cornea, resulting in blindness in one eye.
Juwan’s eye worsened, developing a hole and losing lubrication. Fearing total loss, his parents sought emergency treatment in Cape Town, where he underwent surgery, including amnion grafting and eyelid stitching. Further surgeries, such as a cornea transplant, are planned.
Michelle is raising awareness about herpes transmission to children, sharing her story to warn others of the potential dangers.
