What Happened at ApeFest?
On a balmy night in Hong Kong, chaos erupted at Yuga Labs’ ApeFest when attendees started experiencing severe pain in their eyes. Reports of burns, blurred vision, and notable discomfort bubbled up on social media, as festival-goers shared their unfortunate tales.
Eyewitness Accounts: The Struggle is Real
Star of the show, CryptoJune took to the platform X (formerly Twitter), delivering an eye-popping revelation: “Woke up in the middle of the night after ApeFest with so much pain in my eyes that I had to go to the hospital.” This compelling narrative wasn’t a solo act; many echoed similar woes. “Anyone else’s eyes burning from last night? Woke up at 3 am with extreme pain and ended up in the ER,” recounted another attendee using the identity Feld.
The Culprits: Stage Lights Gone Wrong
The common thread among these cries for help? A harsh spotlight of suspicion on the stage lighting—specifically UV radiation. A doctor’s diagnosis pointed fingers at the “stage lights,” which were allegedly emitting unsafe levels of ultraviolet rays. Because we all know, nothing screams “fun festival” like instant eye damage!
Yuga Labs Responds
A spokesperson from Yuga Labs confirmed they were taking the situation seriously, asserting, “we are actively reaching out to and are in touch with those affected.” They further indicated that less than one percent of the total attendees reported issues, amidst a crowd of about 2,250 people. However, 15 echoes of discomfort is still 15 too many, especially when it follows a night meant for revelry.
History Repeats Itself?
Insider tip: This isn’t the first time a party in Hong Kong faced backlash for improper lighting setups. Back in 2017, attendees at a HypeBeast event reported similar injuries thanks to improperly used UV lights. It seems there might be a ”shine a light on fun” theme emerging that sunshine vibes can’t seem to solve.
What is Photokeratitis?
What are these unfortunate souls suffering from? The eye condition known as photokeratitis, often casually referred to as “welder’s eye.” This issue arises from overexposure to UV rays, leaving victims squinting and a tad bitter about their festival experience. Picture it: enjoying the beating bass and bright lights, only to wake up regretting life choices and eyesight. Not the souvenir we’re looking for!
