"Children's faces look like goblins..." Wife who received Pfizer vaccine complains of sudden 'vision loss'

"Wife gradually losing eyesight... The dream of returning to normal life after the end of COVID-19 remains an 'eternal dream'"

Medical staff are administering vaccines at a vaccination center in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] A petition has been posted by a man in his 30s complaining about his wife's vision deterioration after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.

On the 14th, a post titled "The happiness of one family has been shattered" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 8 a.m. on the 15th, the petition has garnered 2,956 supporters.

The petitioner, who introduced himself as the head of a family with 8-year-old twin children, stated, "One day after my wife received the Pfizer vaccine on the 1st of last month, she experienced metamorphopsia in her left eye, where objects appeared distorted. We visited a local ophthalmology clinic lightly, but no abnormal findings were detected."

He added, "Feeling something was wrong, we visited university hospitals and large ophthalmology centers, consulting with about ten specialists, including a former president of the Retina Society. We underwent almost all possible ophthalmic examinations, but so far, no diagnosis has been made."

He continued, "Suspecting an optic nerve issue, we also had an MRI scan, which showed no abnormalities. Over time, her vision rapidly deteriorated, and the metamorphopsia worsened. Only photoreceptor loss has been observed, and she is gradually losing her sight. We are just monitoring the progress with no available treatment options."

He lamented, "(My wife) is afraid to open her eyes because the children's faces appear distorted like goblins. Watching her cry out in despair and fear tears my heart apart."

He also mentioned, "Since the time her vision problems began, she has experienced numbness in her hands. It seems to be accompanied by an autoimmune disease, so we visited a tertiary hospital for blood and urine tests and are currently awaiting the results."

The petitioner said, "I have been telling my frustrated children, who refrain from going out, 'When COVID ends... when COVID ends...' as a habitual promise, but I feel so angry and unfair. The dream of returning to normal life after the end of COVID has become an eternal dream even after its conclusion."

He raised questions to the government and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, asking, "Is the vaccine safe?", "Are compensations being provided for side effects?", and "If permanent disability occurs, will lifelong support be given?" He urged ▲ acknowledgment of side effects and active relief for victims ▲ development of tests to verify side effects and cooperation/support in establishing compensation plans ▲ preparation of measures for those hesitant to receive vaccines due to underlying conditions or health reasons.