Martin Roberts, the beloved presenter of Homes Under the Hammer, has revealed that he still struggles with the aftermath of a severe eye injury sustained during what seemed like an ordinary gardening task. In 2019, Martin was rushed to hospital after trimming a plant that secreted a hidden toxin, which left his eyes swollen, streaming, and in agonizing pain.
In a candid interview on Channel 5’s ‘Garden Makeovers from Hell’, Martin recalled how he noticed a plant in his garden flourishing uncontrollably. Deciding to trim it back, he initially didn’t suspect any danger. “I didn’t even think about it,” Martin admitted. “We’re in Britain, not a tropical rainforest where I’d have to be careful about what’s growing in my garden.” However, while cutting the plant, he noticed a white sap oozing from the bark-like stems.
Unaware of the risks, Martin accidentally rubbed his eyes with hands contaminated by the sap. Within 20 minutes, he was overwhelmed by intense pain, describing the sensation as his eyes “exploding” into his brain. His vision blurred as symptoms rapidly worsened.
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After researching online, Martin discovered the plant was euphorbia, commonly known as spurge. This plant produces a milky-white sap capable of causing severe skin, mouth, and eye irritation. According to poison control guidelines, exposure to the sap can lead to symptoms ranging from vomiting and swelling inside the mouth to serious eye conditions like redness, irritation, blurred vision, temporary blindness, and in rare cases, permanent blindness.
At the hospital, Martin shared a chilling video from A&E, warning others about the dangers of this common garden plant. His eyes appeared red and watery as he urged caution, emphasizing the sap’s potential to cause “serious issues.” Medical staff immediately began flushing his eyes with large amounts of saline solution. Despite initial disbelief about the severity, Martin soon realized the gravity when doctors warned him the damage could become permanent.
Though the pain lessened after treatment, Martin admitted he was deeply worried about irreversible harm. “I was crying my eyes out thinking I might have caused permanent damage,” he confessed. Months later, his eyesight has not fully recovered; he still experiences dry eyes at night and relies on frequent eye drops.
Reflecting on the incident, Martin said, “This was truly a garden makeover that went life-changingly wrong. It’s made me more cautious, but it hasn’t stopped my love for gardening altogether. The key takeaway is to never underestimate how dangerous certain plants can be.”