Champagne bottles should have SCREW caps to avoid risk of eye injuries, doctors say: Corks can fly out at 50mph and blind people
- Experts have suggested that the bottles should come with injury warning labels
- It can take just 0.05 seconds for a cork from a 75cl bottle to hit the face
It's a suggestion that will likely fall flat with wine lovers.
Doctors say champagne bottles should come with screw caps to avoid the risk of eye damage.
At three times the pressure of a car tire, corks can pop out at 50 miles per hour, potentially blinding anyone hit in the eye.
They suggest that bottles should come with warning labels and that revelers should take precautions such as pointing 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 is a substantial threat to eye health.
Injuries can occur 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 who suffer from problems such as retinal detachment and lens dislocation 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 2019 accident while on holiday in Ibiza (pictured after the 2019 incident)
A study published in 2005 also found that champagne bottle corks were responsible for 20 percent of eye injuries from bottle caps in the US and 71 percent in Hungary. Pictured is Mr Campbell during the 2019 incident
Injuries can occur 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 who suffer from problems such as retinal detachment and lens dislocation 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 2019 accident while on holiday in Ibiza.
The researchers point to the moment Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay opened a bottle of prosecco on the winners' podium to celebrate his victory in the Giro d'Italia last year.
The cork hit his eye and forced him to withdraw from the next phase of the match.
A study published in 2005 found that champagne bottle corks were responsible for 20 percent of eye injuries from bottle caps in the US and 71 percent in Hungary.
Although many people's vision improved, the study found that in 26 percent of cases related to pressurized drinks, people remained legally blind.
They also highlight a 2009 review of 34 cases of eye injuries caused by corks and caps from sparkling wine bottles in Italy.
Injuries were found, including hemorrhages, lens dislocation and traumatic cataract formation.
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay (pictured during the incident) opened a bottle of prosecco on the winners' podium to celebrate his victory in the Giro d'Italia last year. The cork hit 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 condition that affects the retina, and glaucoma.
In the Christmas edition of the BMJ, they suggested some tips to prevent injuries during toast, in accordance with the guidelines of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
These include cooling the bottle before opening it to reduce the pressure and speed of the cork and counteracting the cork's upward force by pressing on it.
If you are injured, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist immediately to minimize the risk of visual impairment.
They conclude: 'The purpose of this article is to ensure that you do not start the new year on an eye surgeon's operating table.
'Let's toast to a fantastic new year, keep the bubbles in our glasses and the sparkle in our eyes.'