A Parent’s Worst Nightmare: Toddler Nearly Loses Eye After Herpes Infection
Most parents have seen their kids suffer from the occasional eye infection — but Michelle Saaiman’s experience was far worse.
In August, she noticed something unusual in her 16-month-old son Juwan’s eye. When antibiotics didn’t help, doctors made a shocking diagnosis: Juwan had contracted herpes simplex virus (HSV), likely from a kiss by someone with an active cold sore.
“It felt like an April Fool’s joke,” Michelle told Metro. But the virus had caused severe damage. Juwan lost all vision in the affected eye, which began to deteriorate — developing a hole and drying out completely. Doctors feared he might lose the eye altogether.
Desperate to save it, the family flew to Cape Town where Juwan had amnion graft surgery. His eyelids were stitched shut to protect the cornea, and another major surgery is planned to transfer nerves from his leg to his eye, in hopes of a future cornea transplant.
Despite the pain, Juwan has stayed brave. “He’s always had a smile,” Michelle said, though the journey has been heartbreaking. The couple initially felt anger toward the person who unknowingly passed the virus but acknowledged it likely wasn’t intentional.
The Saaimans have faced weeks of procedures and uncertainty, fearing the virus could spread to Juwan’s brain or other eye. While the infection is now somewhat controlled, the damage is permanent.
Michelle is now raising awareness about the dangers of cold sores around children, urging people to be cautious — even with gestures of love like a kiss.
A fundraiser has been launched to help with ongoing treatment costs. “We’re doing everything we can to save our son’s eye,” Michelle shared.
Juwan’s story is a powerful reminder of how serious a simple virus can be — and the strength of one little boy fighting through it all.