Bored Ape NFT Event Had Attendees Going To ER Due To Eye Problems
Complaints of eye problems have arisen among attendees of a celebration in Hong Kong dedicated to the Bored Ape Yacht Club’s collection of nonfungible tokens (NFTs), with many attributing the issue to the event’s lighting.
Yuga Labs Inc., the creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, recently hosted the ApeFest from November 3rd to 5th, featuring a brightly illuminated party. Some individuals took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their experiences of eye discomfort following their attendance at ApeFest.
“We are aware of this situation and are taking it seriously,” stated a spokesperson from Yuga Labs. “We are actively reaching out to those affected to better understand the root cause.”
It is quite unfortunate that the X account of Bored Ape promoted the event, asking attendees to “keep your eyes peeled” as it teases that launch of its partnership with BMW.
Adrian Zdunczyk, a prominent figure in the crypto community known for providing chart-based technical analysis of digital assets, disclosed on X that he had attended ApeFest and subsequently received a diagnosis of photokeratitis after seeking medical attention. Photokeratitis occurs due to unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light.
Fortunately, Zdunczyk stated, “My vision was tested as close to perfect with no serious cornea damage.”
Some attendees reported having to seek medical treatment in hospitals.
This isn’t the first time something of the sort has happened. On October 20, 2017, several partygoers at an event organized by the streetwear brand HypeBeast complained of painful burns and eye injuries. On October 26, it came to light that the company responsible for setting up the event’s lighting had employed a series of Philips TUV 30W G30 T8 light bulbs. These particular bulbs, as indicated on Philips’ website, emit 12 watts of UV-C radiation, primarily used for surface disinfection.
The cases of vision damage reported in both instances are consistent with a condition known as photokeratitis, often referred to as “Welder’s eye.” This condition is a result of prolonged exposure to high levels of UV radiation, typically stemming from artificial sources like welding lamps. However, it can also occur due to natural sunlight reflecting off bright surfaces, a phenomenon commonly known as snow blindness.
The NFT market as a whole has witnessed a decline from its pandemic-era peak, while creators and traders continue to grapple with disputes over the appropriate level of royalty payments.
Information for this briefing was found via Bloomberg, Cointelegraph, and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
