A risky internet stunt known as vodka eyeballing is back in the spotlight, with medical experts warning that the practice can quickly turn into an eye emergency. The trend involves tipping the head back and pouring vodka directly into the eye, a move that has circulated online since around 2010 and was described in earlier reporting as a bid to feel a faster high.
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Times now reports on the fad, saying some people who try it believe alcohol is absorbed through the eye and produces a quicker buzz. Doctors, however, have rejected that logic and warned that alcohol can be toxic to the eyeâs delicate surface. The concern is not limited to discomfort: the exposure can damage the corneal epithelium, the clear outer layer of the eye that helps focus light.
Bad for the body?
Medical literature has linked vodka eyeballing to corneal abrasions, scarring, eye infections, and, in severe cases, lasting vision damage. A 2014 review noted that the practice can cause ocular injuries, while other medical sources said the corrosive effects of alcohol on the eye may also promote abnormal blood vessel growth and other complications. An eye specialist said vodka is âhighly toxicâ to such a sensitive area.
Donât do it
Health experts have repeatedly advised against the stunt, warning that even a brief exposure can be harmful and that any pain, redness, blurred vision, or sensitivity after such an incident should be treated seriously.
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The broader warning is simple: a search for a quick high can end in avoidable injury, and in this case, the eye is the first organ at risk.
