A woman was left blind after after her husband poured chemicals on to her face - melting off her eyelids - before taking his own life in a police shootout.

Heather Cornelius, 36, was married to her husband for 11 years before authorities removed her from their home in May last year.

Six months earlier, Heather's husband had pinned her down to the floor of their bedroom and poured an unknown alkaline solution onto her eyes.

The horrific attack came the day after Heather attempted to leave following a year of abuse.

Heather was left fully blind for seven months before she regained vision in her left eye.

Her husband ended up taking his own life in a shootout during a planned police stop six months later.

Now Heather is speaking out for the first time to help other victims of domestic violence.