A five-year-old boy in Finland experienced a terrifying medical incident when a nurse accidentally glued his eyes shut during routine wound care. The child had injured his nose at daycare and was taken to Huhtasuo Health Center in JyvÀskylÀ for treatment. Medical staff decided to use skin glue to close the deep nasal wound, but the adhesive flowed directly into both eyes, sealing them completely shut.
The mother described the chaotic scene at the health center. She noted the facility appeared busy with patients waiting in hallways. The procedure was performed on a bed in the corridor rather than in a proper treatment room. The boy lay on his stomach while the nurse applied the adhesive to his nasal injury.
When the adhesive reached his eyes, panic ensued. The mother initially thought her son's eyes were simply stinging from the glue. Then she touched his eyelashes and discovered his eyes were completely sealed shut. The adhesive had spread across both eyelids, down his cheeks, and into his neck folds.
Medical staff attempted to open the eyes at the health center without success. The boy was transferred to Nova Hospital, where doctors tried saline solution and even cut his eyelashes. When these efforts failed, he required emergency transfer to Kuopio University Hospital, nearly 100 kilometers away.
At the specialized hospital, the boy needed surgical intervention to open his eyes. The mother recalled the terrifying moment when doctors couldn't guarantee her son's vision would be unaffected. She faced the possibility that her child might be permanently blinded by the medical error.
The surgical procedure proved successful. The boy's vision remained intact despite his eyes being sealed for approximately 12 hours. Medical staff also placed three stitches in the original nasal wound that had prompted the initial visit.
The mother plans to file a formal patient injury report. She emphasized that her concern extends beyond this single incident to broader issues in Finnish healthcare. She described the glue application to a deep open wound as the first mistake in a series of errors that nearly cost her son's eyesight.
Healthcare officials acknowledged the seriousness of such incidents while declining to comment on specific cases. The regional chief medical director confirmed that all suspected patient injuries undergo thorough investigation. Patients or guardians can file reports through Finland's Patient Insurance Center, which determines compensation eligibility.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in Finnish primary healthcare, including overcrowding and resource limitations. The incident raises questions about procedure protocols, especially when treating children near sensitive areas like eyes. Healthcare professionals must balance efficiency with safety, particularly during busy periods when treatment spaces may be limited.
The positive outcome doesn't diminish the trauma experienced by both child and family. The boy will require follow-up examinations to monitor for any long-term effects. Meanwhile, the case serves as a stark reminder of how routine medical procedures can escalate into emergencies through simple oversights.