How not to pop your eye while popping a bottle of bubbly

Experts have put together words of caution to avoid injuries while making champagne toast during the holiday season.

Mark Melson, M.D., assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, warned how popping a bottle of bubbly can be dangerous to health.

Melson explained: "Eye injuries from flying champagne corks, especially around the holidays, are fairly common. Champagne is part of the holidays, but opening the bottles properly might save some folks a trip to the emergency room or a visit to their eye doctor.

"It might be cool to have the cork pop and it's exciting to have champagne gush from the bottle, but it's not fun to suffer an eye injury that may prove to be devastating."

The expert, who specializes in oculoplastic reconstructive surgery and neuro-ophthalmology, further said: "That is a lot of force to the eye. The damage can range from corneal abrasions to retinal detachment. The best advice if someone does suffer an eye injury is to seek medical attention immediately. Do not manipulate the eye in any way."

Melson, along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recommened the following tips for proper champagne opening:

o Make sure the bottle of bubbly is chilled. If left warm the pressure is more likely to build.

o Don't shake the bottle. This only increases the speed of the cork upon opening.

o Place a towel over the top of the bottle to provide an additional shield.

o Keep the bottle tilted at a 45-degree angle, pointing away from people.

o Hold the cork while twisting the bottle to break the seal. Keep your hand over the cork.

o Never use a corkscrew to open a bottle of champagne. It will only serve as a larger, more dangerous projectile.