A new drug craze the MIST team supervisor recently inquired about at the Children’s Division challenged me. Some research found that taking alcohol shots directly in the eye is a trend with roots imported from British Universities and spreading in popularity via the internet and websites like YouTube. The premise is, ingesting alcohol directly into the eye will get you drunk faster. Vodka and other alcoholic drinks are commonly used. These beverages contain high alcohol content and result in bloodshot eyes, and in some cases in extreme pain. The risk for serious optical damage is high.
Persons engaging in this drinking behavior believe it induces feelings of drunkenness at break-neck speeds by passing through the mucous membranes and into the bloodstream. Dr Peter Rice, senior lecturer for the abuse of drink and drugs at the University of Dundee, warned: "Alcohol is an irritant to eyes and together with other constituents of the drink, is likely to cause considerable damage to the eyes.
Once scarring on the cornea occurs, a very serious problem may develop.” Physicians further explain, constant watering of the eyes is a potential and may be permanent. A student who was interviewed; Melissa Fontaine, whose left eye has been permanently damaged by vodka eyeballing and now waters constantly says, “I am in constant pain.” She explains further, “I wish I could turn back the clock on what I did.” Dr. Richard Rosen of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary reports, “It's like using paint stripper on the surface of your eye."