Dangerous 'Vodka Eyeballing' Popular with College Students
Eyeballing can cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to blindness.
LOS ANGELES -- A dangerous drinking fad known as "Vodka eyeballing" is growing in popularity on college campuses in the UK and the United States, and experts say it could leave students blind.
So-called "eyeballers" claim it's an instant high with a splash of alcohol giving them a buzz, literally, in the blink of an eye.
But, doctors say, it's a dangerous trend that could cause permanent vision damage.
Dr. Elise Brisco of the Hollywood Vision Center told KTLA that the practice creates an almost instant buzz "because it's going into the central nervous system into the brain."
The alcohol can damage the optic nerve, creating spotty vision and even complete blindness.
"If it's severe enough and there's a lot of optic nerve damage, your vision may not return," Brisco said.
Some eyeballers have posted videos of themselves online, and there are even "fan" pages for the practice on Facebook.
It's believed the dangerous trend started in the United States, but it is quickly gaining popularity at British universities, according to the UK Daily Mail.
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