What happened to Jared Trujillo's eye?

Jared Trujillo's eye was injured by a Christmas decoration, leading to a dislocated lens and severe corneal damage requiring a transplant.

How common are cornea injuries like Jared Trujillo's?

Corneal injuries are common, with about 2.5 million Americans suffering scratches or other damage annually, often causing intense pain and vision issues.

What advice does Jared Trujillo give for holiday decorating?

Jared Trujillo advises wearing protective eyewear, like sunglasses, when decorating to prevent eye injuries from decorations.

Home / Health / Dad's Eye Nearly Lost to Dog Decoration

Dad's Eye Nearly Lost to Dog Decoration

11 Dec

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Summary

A New Mexico dad required a cornea transplant after a decoration hit his eye.
The injury caused excruciating pain and led to a dislocated eye lens.
He now urges others to wear protective eyewear during holiday decorating.

A father of two in New Mexico experienced a traumatic eye injury last holiday season when a dog-shaped Christmas decoration struck him. Initially believing it to be a minor scratch, Jared Trujillo, 45, soon suffered excruciating pain, leading doctors to discover his eye lens had been dislocated. This initial injury escalated, causing significant corneal damage that necessitated a cornea transplant in early 2025 to prevent permanent blindness.

The arduous recovery involved intense pain and excessive tearing, as Trujillo's eye struggled to function. Doctors eventually diagnosed the need for a cornea transplant due to the severity of the damage. This procedure, performed in early 2025, saved his vision but was followed by a diagnosis of glaucoma, a common complication requiring daily eye drops.

Now recovered, Trujillo advocates strongly for safety precautions during holiday decorating. He urges everyone to wear protective eyewear, especially when working with decorations near the face, to avoid the agonizing experience and the sight-saving surgery he underwent.