Avoid champagne-related eye injuries this holiday season

December 21, 2009

Parents often worry that the toys that lay wrapped under the Christmas tree could be harmful to their children’s eyes. However, most adults aren’t likely to consider their own eye health during the holiday season.

Many American like to celebrate the start of the New Year with a champagne toast, butHealthCanal.com reports that cork-related eye injuries are more common than we might think. They can lead to a host of serious eye health problems including glaucoma, detached retina and staining of the cornea.

"Champagne cork eye injuries can have a devastating impact on your vision, " Dr Kuldev Singh, clinical correspondent for the American
Academy of Ophthalmology told the website. "Many champagne cork-related eye injuries necessitate urgent surgery to prevent significant, permanent vision loss - a terrible way to spend the holidays. "

According to the website, there are a few techniques you can employ that reduce your chance of injury. First, make sure the champagne has been chilled to at least 45 degrees Farenheit - not only will the beverage taste better, but it will be less likely to explode. Also try not to shake the bottle - this only wastes champagne and increases the chance of injury. It's best to hold a towel securely over the cork until the bottle has opened.

Of course, cautious hosts could always hand out safety glasses to partygoers until all of the bubbly has been opened!