Champagne corks can reach speeds of 80 kilometers per hour. That’s something you definitely don’t want to get in your eye. Fortunately, you can prevent that with these tips.
During the holidays we drink it in abundance: champagne. Because what could be more festive than that? Yet there is a real danger behind this. If the cork accidentally makes its way to your eye, it can cause significant injury. “Be careful this holiday season,” researchers warn in the Christmas issue of The BMJ. “The risk of eye damage when opening bottles of bubbly is significant, but fortunately it can be easily prevented.”
80 kilometers per hour
The warning may sound a bit overly cautious. Nevertheless, the danger of eye damage from champagne corks is often underestimated. People don’t realize how dangerous it is to get a champagne cork in your eye, but it can actually cause serious damage. In a 750 ml bottle of champagne or sparkling wine, the pressure is approximately three times as high as in a normal car tire. This allows a cork to be shot at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour and cover a distance of thirteen meters.
Eye
In addition, a cork can shoot from the bottle to the eye in less than 0.05 seconds. This means that the blink reflex is not fast enough to respond. And when the cork then hits your eye, this can have serious consequences.
Impact
Several studies have looked at the effects of eye damage from corks, and they are quite serious. It can lead to various injuries, such as bleeding, displacement of the lens and the development of traumatic cataracts. In addition, other problems may arise, such as difficulties with pupillary movement, separation of the iris, macular degeneration and glaucoma. In extreme cases it can even lead to permanent blindness.
Dangerous
The experts therefore refer to previous studies that show how risky corks can be. An example of this is a 2005 study, which found that champagne corks were responsible for 20 percent of eye injuries caused by bottle caps in the United States and as much as 71 percent in Hungary. Although the vision of many improved, in 26 percent of cases people remained blind.
Wielrenner Biniam Girmay
Another example is an incident in 2022, where cyclist Biniam Girmay opened a bottle of prosecco on the winners’ podium to celebrate his victory in the Giro d’Italia. Unfortunately, the cork hit his eye, forcing him to withdraw from the next stage of the competition.
More about champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine that takes its name from the Champagne region of France where it is produced. It is a sparkling drink known for its refined bubbles and is often associated with celebrations and special occasions. Champagne is usually made from a blend of grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The unique characteristics of the Champagne region, together with the traditional method of production, contribute to its distinctive taste and quality. Champagne has gained worldwide recognition as a prestigious and festive drink.
These studies highlight the importance of being aware of the risks and taking preventative measures. This may include warning labels and alternative packaging materials, such as screw caps. But you can also do something yourself.
Practical tips
In their study, the researchers provide some practical tips to reduce the risk of eye damage. This includes chilling the champagne bottle before opening to reduce the pressure and speed of the cork. In addition, it is recommended to point the bottle at an angle of 45 degrees away from yourself and others, and to counteract the upward force of the cork by pressing on it.
This is how you safely open a champagne bottle. Image: The BMJ
This way you can prevent flying champagne corks from injuring yourself or someone else. And if injury does occur, the authors recommend quickly consulting an ophthalmologist to minimize the risk of visual impairment. “Let’s toast to a fantastic new year, keep the bubbles in our glass and take good care of our eyes,” the researchers conclude.
2023-12-21 10:35:11
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