It’s a proposal that is likely to be met with disapproval from wine lovers.
Doctors say champagne bottles should be fitted with screw caps to avoid the risk of eye damage.
With three times the pressure of a car tire, corks can pop out at 50 miles per hour, potentially blinding anyone caught in the eye.
They suggest that bottles should come with warning labels and that revelers should take precautions, such as pointing them at a 45-degree angle away from the body.
Experts from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Ophthalmology and colleagues say the warning may seem overly cautious, but eye damage from cork poses a significant risk to eye health.
Injuries can happen faster than the blink of an eye – the journey from a 75cl bottle to the face takes just 0.05 seconds. More than a quarter of those suffering from problems such as retinal detachment and lens luxation are legally blind, including Love Island star Theo Campbell (pictured on Love Island before the 2017 incident).
Despite having undergone two operations, Mr. Campbell lost the sight in his right eye after it “split in two” following the accident while on holiday in Ibiza in 2019 (pictured after the incident in 2019).
A study published in 2005 also found that champagne bottle caps were responsible for 20 percent of eye injuries from bottle caps in the United States and 71 percent in Hungary. In the photo is Mr. Campbell during the incident in 2019
Injuries can happen faster than the blink of an eye – the journey from a 75cl bottle to the face takes just 0.05 seconds.
More than a quarter of those suffering from problems such as retinal detachment and lens luxation remain legally blind, including Love Island star Theo Campbell.
Despite two operations, he lost the sight in his right eye after it “split in two” following the accident while on holiday in Ibiza in 2019.
The researchers show the moment Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay opened a bottle of Prosecco on the winner’s podium last year to celebrate his victory in the Giro d’Italia.
The cork struck his eye and forced him to withdraw from the next phase of the match.
A study published in 2005 found that champagne bottle caps accounted for 20 percent of eye injuries from bottle caps in the United States and 71 percent in Hungary.
Although many people’s vision improved, the study found that people remained legally blind in 26 percent of cases involving pressurized beverages.
They also point to a 2009 investigation into 34 cases of eye injuries caused by corks and caps on champagne bottles in Italy.
Injuries were noted, including hemorrhage, lens dislocation, and traumatic cataract formation.
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay (pictured during the incident) opened a bottle of Prosecco on the winner’s podium to celebrate his victory in last year’s Giro d’Italia. The cork struck his eye and forced him to withdraw from the next phase of the match
Complications included problems with pupil movement, separation of the iris, macular degeneration – a degenerative disease affecting the retina, and glaucoma.
In the Christmas issue of the BMJ, they suggested some tips to avoid grid injuries according to the guidelines of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
This includes chilling the bottle before opening to reduce the pressure and speed of the cork, and counteracting the cork’s upward force by pressing.
In the event of an injury, it is advisable to immediately consult an ophthalmologist to reduce the risk of visual impairment.
They conclude: “The purpose of this article is to make sure you don’t start the new year on an eye surgeon’s operating table.”
“Let’s celebrate a wonderful new year, keep the bubbles in our glasses and the sparkle in our eyes.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
