SAN FRANCISCO – For most, the countdown on New Year’s Eve is a raucously good time. For others, it is the final few seconds of healthy eyesight.

Incorrect popping of champagne corks is one of the most common holiday-related eye hazards, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Eye M.D. Association.

“It’s a sobering thought, but many revelers forget that popping the cork on a bottle of champagne is a dangerous activity if done incorrectly,” said Andrew Iwach, M.D., Academy spokesperson. “Every year, warm bottles of champagne, coupled with bad cork-removal technique, are responsible for causing serious, blinding injuries.”

Healthy bottle opening tips include:

• Be aware that a recently shaken bottle increases the risk of eye injury.
• Make sure sparkling wine is chilled to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
• Hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood. Point the bottle away from yourself and others at a 45-degree angle. Place a towel over the entire top and grasp the cork, slowly and firmly twisting it to break the seal.
• Keep the bottle at a 45-degree angle, hold it firmly with one hand and use the other hand to slowly turn the cork with a slight upward pull. Continue until the cork is almost out of the neck. Counter the force of the cork using slight downward pressure just as the cork breaks free from the bottle.

“By following a few simple safety tips, you can make sure your holidays are festive and injury free,” said Dr. Iwach.

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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide.  Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.