Botox, fillers, and other injectable procedures always carry a risk. However, for Esther Jeong (@esther_jeong), the consequences were catastrophic.
In the TikTok, which has amassed 4.2 million views, Jeong explained that she received a collagen stimulant called Juvelook Volume in Korea. Immediately after the injection, Jeong lost sight in one eye. According to her, while the doctor repeated that it was just a temporary side effect from the anesthesia, her vision did not return. This led to Jeong going to the ER, but she was told she couldn't get treated because of the timing of the beauty treatment.
So, Jeong said she consulted ophthalmologists, who confirmed that she had blockages in the branch arteries of her eyes. This led to dead retinal tissue. She likened her vision to "dead pixels" on a screen.
"Anything I focus on, whenever I move my eye, it's like completely erased. It has been so traumatic, it's been a nightmare," she said. "Because, as you know, I'm I'm a designer, and I'm a ceramic artist, and my livelihood is based off of what I see."
Jeong added that she has been in Korea since early April, trying various experimental treatments. However, none of them worked. Once doctors told her the damage from the Juvelook was permanent, Jeong started trying to seek compensation.
"I just fear it won't be fair compensation, because this will impact my career, my future, and there's just so much uncertainty on how I can live a fulfilling life after this incident," she said. "It's been emotionally, mentally, financially draining."
She concluded, "I think people go to Korea and do all these skin treatments thinking that it's like an easy and quick thing. And that's what I thought, too, even though I did research for over a year and thought it was safe," she shared. "But something like this happened. I became a statistic somehow. So I just want people to be aware that things like this could happen."
The Daily Dot reached out to Jeong via TikTok comment and email.
Viewers share their own stories
In the comments, users shared their own experiences of blindness, though not caused by Korean skin treatments.
"I Just went blind in my left eye due to a retinal detachment!" one wrote. "Mine happened out of state and no one would see me due to my insurance. I'm an artist as well. It's been so so traumatizing."
"[When] I was 10 years old, a soccer ball hit me in the eye," another shared. "I lost direct vision in my right eye. Part of the retina was dead. I can see in the periphery, but not directly. My left eye became my dominant eye. Over time, my brain filled in what I was seeing. I honestly forget I’m partially blind if both of my eyes are open. While my eye was healing, I could 'see' the blank pixels as you described. Hopefully, you will heal and be able to have very limited blindness."
While a third reiterated, "If it’s any consolation, I’m legally blind in my right eye. My brain has reprogrammed itself to rely solely on the right so I can essentially see 20/20 now. Hopefully that gives you some hope."
Others share their shock at the Korean skin treament
"Please do not hesitate to name the doctor and his practice," one commenter said. "THIS is medical negligence. if the settlement is not enough for you, please seek legal advice and potentially sue. THIS is an ADVERSE EVENT."
A second simply stated: "Girl, this is a HUGE LAWSUIT."
A third also issued a warning: "To all the girls watching, any filler in your face or skin boosters can make you go blind. any Botox, nasolabial folds, lip filler, it can all travel to your eyes and make you blind."
This isn't the first time these types of skin treatments have come under fire. As previously reported by the Daily Dot, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning last year after fake Botox led four people to be hospitalized with botulism.
Juvelook didn't immediately respond to the Daily Dot's request for comment via email.
Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.
