Champagne bottles should have SCREW caps to avoid risk of eye injuries, doctors say: Corks can fly out at 50mph and blind people

It’s a suggestion likely to fall flat with wine lovers.

Doctors say champagne bottles should come with screw caps to avoid the risk of eye injuries.

With pressure three times of a car tyre, corks can shoot out at 50mph causing potential blindness to anyone struck in the eye.

They suggest bottles should come with warning labels and celebrants 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 cork eye injuries are a substantial threat to eye health.

Injuries can occur faster than a blink of an eye – taking just 0.05 seconds from travel from a 75cl bottle to the face. More than a quarter of those who suffer issues such as retinal detachment and lens dislocation are left legally blind, including Love Island star Theo Campbell (pictured on Love Island before the incident in 2017)

Despite undergoing two surgeries, Mr Campbell lost the sight in his right eye after it ‘split in two’ following the accident in 2019, while on holiday in Ibiza (pictured after the incident in 2019)

A study published in 2005 also found that champagne bottle corks were responsible for 20 per cent of eye injuries related to bottle tops in the US and 71 per cent in Hungary. Pictured, Mr Campbell during the incident in 2019

Injuries can occur faster than a blink of an eye – taking just 0.05 seconds from travel from a 75cl bottle to the face.

More than a quarter of those who suffer issues such as retinal detachment and lens dislocation are left legally blind, including Love Island star Theo Campbell.

Despite undergoing two surgeries, he lost the sight in his right eye after it ‘split in two’ following the accident in 2019, while on holiday in Ibiza.

The researchers point to when Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay opened a bottle of prosecco on the winners’ podium to celebrate his win at the Giro d’Italia last year.

The cork hit his eye, forcing him to withdraw from the next stage of the competition.

A study published in 2005 found that champagne bottle corks were responsible for 20 per cent of eye injuries related to bottle tops in the US and 71 per cent in Hungary.

Although many people’s sight improved, the study found that, in 26 per cent of cases related to pressurised 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.

This found injuries including bleeding, 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 win at the Giro d’Italia last year. The cork hit his eye, forcing him to withdraw from the next stage of the competition

Complications included pupil movement issues, separation of the iris, macular degeneration — a degenerative condition affecting the retina, and glaucoma.

Writing in the Christmas edition of the BMJ, they suggested some tips to avoid injury during toasts, in line with guidance from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

These include chilling the bottle before opening to reduce pressure and cork velocity and counteracting the upward moving force of the cork by pressing down on it.

If injured, the advice is to seek prompt consultation with an ophthalmologist to minimise the risk of vision impairment.

They conclude: ‘The goal of this article is to ensure that you don’t begin the new year on the operating table of an eye surgeon.

‘Let us toast to an excellent new year, keep the bubbly in our glass, and the sparkle in our eyes.’