MEDICS warn Brits to watch out for flying champagne corks this Christmas as they can rocket across the room at 50mph and can take your eye out.
They said wounds from popping bottles are an “overlooked but substantial threat” to our eyes.
GettyPopping the cork is fun but risky, experts say[/caption]
Britain gets through an estimated 16million cases of sparkling wine every year – an average of nearly four bottles each – with a huge sales spike at Crimbo.
Popping the cork is a fun tradition but risks ending in tears.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, Cambridge University eye expert Dr Ethan Waisberg said: “There is a dark side to uncorking these bubbly beverages.
“The pressure in a 750ml bottle of champagne or sparkling wine is about three times that of a standard car tyre.
“It has the potential to launch a cork up to 13m (14ft) at speeds of up to 80 km/h (50mph).
“A cork hitting an eye can cause permanent blindness, retinal detachment, and lens dislocation among other conditions.”
Dr Waisberg and his team found dozens of reports from around the world of people being injured by flying corks.
Eritrean pro cyclist Biniam Girmay this year dropped out of the three-week Giro D’Italia race after hitting himself in the eye with a cork during a stage win celebration.
Dr Waisberg said about a quarter of those who end up in hospital with the injury are left legally blind.
Chilling the bottle and avoiding shaking it can reduce pressure and slow down the flying stoppers, the boffins advised.
And to open it safely, drinkers should remove the metal cage and point it away from themselves and other people at a 45-degree angle.
They could consider covering the top of the bottle with a towel for extra safety.
Dr Waisberg added: “The champagne bottle cork continues to be the biggest contributor to eye injuries caused by bottle tops.
“Let us toast to an excellent new year, keep the bubbly in our glass, and the sparkle in our eyes.”