A 70-year-old South Florida woman claims facelift surgery has left her blind and she may need to have her eyes “stitched up.”

Diane, who asked that her surname not be used due to the nature of her illness, has been forced into hiding due to the serious after-effects of a botched cosmetic surgery. Once an active and full of energy woman, she now finds herself in constant pain and isolated from her former active lifestyle. According to For 7 News Miami.

“I can't stand the air conditioning, the fan or even the heat from the oven. It's a nightmare,” Dian told the outlet.

The ordeal began when Diane underwent a partial facelift in February in hopes of achieving a more youthful appearance, only to wake up with her vision completely blacked out.

“I was screaming because it was pitch black. I couldn't even see a little light. Nothing. It was pitch black,” she recalled. (Related: Orthopedic surgeon sentenced to 15 days in jail for giving woman seven times the amount of anesthesia needed for surgery for five hours)

As a result of the surgery, Diane was unable to close her eyes completely, leading to severe dryness and deterioration of her corneas. Six months on, her vision is still deteriorating, particularly in her right eye, she told the outlet. What was once symmetrical is now noticeably asymmetrical, making basic daily activities difficult.

Deanne said she waited hours in the surgeon's office, where she was given saline and gauze but no real treatment. “He left me in the waiting room for three or four hours,” she told the outlet.

Things only got worse when Diane went to see an eye specialist, who informed her of the seriousness of her condition: “Because your eye won't close, your cornea has dried out, and it's gotten so dry that it's caused a huge corneal ulcer,” the specialist explained. This diagnosis could mean Diane will need to see an oculoplastic surgeon, a cost that could exceed $30,000.

Deanne's surgeon denied responsibility for the damage to her eyelids and claimed she had requested a follow-up appointment in an email sent to the media in response to Deanne's claims.

Adding to Deanne's distress was the fact that her surgeon did not have malpractice insurance, a fact that only came to light after she had considered legal action.

“I'm at a loss,” Diane lamented. Without insurance, she faces the harsh reality that she must shoulder the financial burden herself or continue a likely futile legal battle against uninsured doctors.

Attorney William Robinson explained that in Florida, doctors who don't practice in a hospital are not legally required to maintain malpractice insurance. “They are supposed to post a sign on their door or in their office informing potential patients that they are uninsured and will be financially responsible,” Robinson said.. (Related article: Authorities sue orthopedic surgeon for negligence resulting in death after wife dies after surgery)