On November 4, several attendees at Yuga Labs’ ApeFest event in Hong Kong reported eye-related issues, including burns, impaired vision, and “extreme pain” in their eyes.
Yuga Labs’ official X (formerly Twitter) account has now addressed the issue, claiming to be aware of reports of potential eye-related issues among attendees and are investigating the reasons behind them.
As soon as she opened IG, Jasmine’s eyes swelled up.
Some apes developed eye problems at ApeFest.
Protect your eyes. handwashing.
Be careful when going out. pic.twitter.com/FNHF9hrDeg
— PB Dripper (@DripperPb) November 6, 2023
Yuga Labs claims that less than 1% of attendees experience eye-related issues, and that most affected attendees improve over time.
Ape, we are aware of eye-related issues affecting some ApeFest attendees and began proactively contacting individuals yesterday in an attempt to find a potential root cause. Based on our estimates, we believe that is well below 1%…
— Bored Ape Yacht Club (@BoredApeYC) November 6, 2023
Events in Hong Kong dominated most of the headlines and attention in the X cryptocurrency community over the weekend. Many users came up with different theories behind the eye injury, with one pointing to a similar situation during a promotion six years ago. At events, third-party contractors installed disinfecting ultraviolet (UV) lights instead of stage lights, resulting in similar eye injuries, burns, blindness, and photokeratitis.
Re: Bored ape with eye injury due to ape festival
6 years ago in Hong Kong, hypebeast hosted a party where a 3rd party contractor installed disinfecting UV lights instead of stage lights and people had similar eye injuries, burns, blindness, photokeratitis
this can happen pic.twitter.com/ofMUncwya8
— CryptoFinally (@CryptoFinally) November 5, 2023
Others note that the effects of UV rays can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the level of exposure.
related: Ryder Ripps ordered to pay $1.6 million to Yuga Labs in copyright lawsuit
others are Critical The organizers behind the event claim they should be more concerned about basic medical hazards:
“I can’t imagine paying so much to be part of a ‘club’ that ignores basic medical hazards. I have a Philips UV disinfection lamp at home that you’re not even supposed to be in the same room with when it’s on. The instructions literally Meaning don’t look at it or get close to it because it also emits ozone, which is a toxic/carcinogenic gas.”
Many other attendees slammed Yuga Labs for the mishap, claiming they borrowed money to attend the event just to get more “I don’t know how I’m going to pay for eye-related medical bills.”
I have been a loyal community member for over two years.
My orangutan is not only the most expensive thing I own, it’s also one of the only things I own.
I got my parents to give me a loan so I could attend ApeFest, and now I’m drowning in eye-related medical bills that I have no idea how to pay for.
—Arnold Bernard (@ahitposter) November 6, 2023
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