aespa's Karina Performed with a Torn Cornea — Here’s Why That’s Seriously Dangerous

aespa’s Karina recently revealed that she went on stage with a corneal injury, surprising and worrying fans with her dedication.

During a livestream on April 3 with fellow member Giselle, Karina opened up about her condition after Giselle mentioned it first. “Karina’s eye was hurting,” Giselle said. “She kept squinting during our shoot yesterday.”

Karina then explained, “I tore my cornea, so I had to wear protective lenses for a while. I also had to sleep with them in and keep using eye drops regularly.”

She added that she was still recovering during Billboard’s Women in Music event, saying,

“I was actually supposed to wear an eye patch that day, but it was too big and didn’t work out. So—sorry to my doctor—but I wore color contacts on top of the protective lens. Honestly, it was a little risky.”

Still, she reassured fans by adding, “There weren’t any issues in the end.”

The cornea is the clear outer layer of the eye that protects it from external damage and helps keep your vision sharp. A corneal abrasion or corneal tear can happen due to foreign objects, contact lens misuse, or trauma. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including vision loss.

Symptoms include: Sharp pain, Redness, Excessive tearing, Sensitivity to light, and Blurred vision. Mild scratches often heal within 2–3 days with artificial tears and antibiotic eye drops. However, deep or infected wounds may require therapeutic lenses, strong medications, or even surgical intervention. Self-treatment or delaying care can worsen the damage.

Experts strongly advise that anyone experiencing unusual eye discomfort should not rub their eyes, and instead flush with clean water and seek immediate medical attention. Prevention includes maintaining good hygiene with contact lenses, avoiding eye trauma, and wearing protective gear when needed.

Once the cornea is damaged, healing can take time. Repeated injuries may result in permanent vision impairment, so it’s important to take eye health seriously and act quickly if symptoms occur.

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