After every New Year's Eve celebration, eye doctors see a variety of serious eye injuries, including rupture of eye wall, acute glaucoma, retinal detachment, ocular bleeding, dislocation of the lens, and damage to the eye's bone structure. A champagne cork can fly up to 50 mph as it leaves the bottle.
A champagne cork accident in 2019 left reality star Theo Campbell blinded in his right eye.
For a safe celebration, follow the American Academy of Ophthalmology's simple tips on how to properly open a bottle of champagne:
- Chill sparkling wine and champagne to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or colder before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
- Don't shake the bottle. Shaking increases the speed at which the cork leaves the bottle thereby increasing your chances of severe eye injury.
- Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and any bystanders and hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood on the bottle.
- Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
- Twist the bottle while holding the cork at a 45 degree angle to break the seal. Counter the force of the cork using downward pressure as the cork breaks free from the bottle.
WATCH HOW TO SAFELY OPEN A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE
