NC Mom Glues Eyes Shut After Mistaking Nail Glue for Eye Drops, Goes Viral

CONCORD, NC – A North Carolina mother found herself in a painful and unexpected situation after accidentally gluing her eyes shut by mistaking nail glue for eye drops. The incident, which occurred in December in Concord, a suburb of Charlotte, has garnered widespread attention after her daughter shared the story on social media.

The mother, who is also a foster parent, was rushed to the hospital after the mix-up. A viral video posted by her daughter, Ria Faggart, showed her in a hospital bed with her eyes glued shut. The footage quickly caught the internet’s attention, with many offering words of support and concern.

“Hi, if you are here, then you have seen the viral video of my mother. She has glued her eyes shut,” Faggart wrote on a GoFundMe page launched to help cover medical expenses and lost income. Doctors have estimated it will take 5-7 weeks before her eyes can reopen and be properly examined for potential long-term damage.

Foster Mom Faces Additional Challenges

Faggart highlighted that her mother will be unable to work during her recovery and does not have disability insurance. As a foster mom, her responsibilities add another layer of urgency to her recovery and financial needs.

“We appreciate all of the prayers and concern,” Faggart said. “She will be out of work, and as a foster mom, she doesn’t have disability coverage.”

Not an Isolated Incident

This alarming mistake is not unique. In October, Florida resident Brianne Shipley faced a similar ordeal after accidentally applying nail glue instead of eye medication to treat a bacterial eye infection. Shipley shared her experience with PEOPLE, recounting how she realized the mistake as the glue drop hit her eye, leading to immediate pain and panic.

“I blindly reached over, grabbed the bottle, opened my eye with one hand, and put the drops in,” Shipley said. “As the drop was falling, I realized the consistency of the plastic bottle felt wrong. As soon as it hit my eye, I started screaming.”

A Painful Lesson

Both incidents underscore the importance of careful labeling and storage of products to prevent such accidents. Experts recommend keeping similar-looking bottles, like nail glue and eyedrops, in separate locations to avoid confusion.

For now, the North Carolina mom is focusing on healing while her story continues to raise awareness—and funds—through social media. Her GoFundMe campaign has drawn attention not only to her situation but also to the challenges faced by foster parents and those without disability coverage.

If you’d like to support the family, you can visit their GoFundMe page for updates and donations.