At least 15 visitors at Yuga Labs’ ApeFest, a celebration of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, may have suffered serious eye injuries. Multiple people attending the NFT event in Hong Kong last weekend reported experiencing vision problems, which they believe were caused by the event’s stage lighting. Some attendees claim that doctors have diagnosed them with photokeratitis, also known as “welder’s eye,” which is caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays.
One attendee, Crypto June, took to Twitter to share their experience, stating that they woke up in the middle of the night after ApeFest with severe eye pain, leading them to visit the hospital. They were informed by a doctor that the pain was due to UV exposure from the stage lights. Another user, @docwagmi, suspected that those experiencing eye problems may have been in close proximity to the front stage.
Adrian Zduńczyk also shared his experience on Twitter, advising friends who were suffering to get their eyes checked. He explained that they likely had their eyes burned by UV light and would require medication, eye drops, eye protection, antibiotics, and specialist care. Zduńczyk emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention to prevent long-term vision impairment and other serious damage. Fortunately, he had sought treatment promptly and did not experience significant cornea damage.
Yuga Labs responded briefly to the issue on their platform, stating that they were aware of the eye-related issues affecting some ApeFest attendees. They claimed to be proactively reaching out to individuals to identify the potential root causes. Downplaying the number of people reporting problems, the company stated that they estimated less than 1% of attendees and event staff experienced symptoms. Yuga Labs advised those experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention as a precaution.
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However, users on X were not pleased with Yuga Labs’ public relations response, criticizing them for downplaying the issue, appearing to help and solve the problem, and attempting to find potential root causes, despite already knowing the cause.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar dangerous situation that occurred in 2017 when attendees of a HypeBeast party reported eye damage. The DJ for the event later revealed that the lighting contractor had used Philips bulbs that emitted UV-C light, which is commonly used as a disinfectant.
The potential harm caused by the ApeFest event’s lighting raises questions about the safety measures in place and the responsibility of event organizers. It is crucial for organizers to prioritize the well-being of attendees and ensure that all aspects of an event, including lighting, adhere to safety standards. Swift and appropriate action should be taken to address the situation, provide support to affected individuals, and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In conclusion, the ApeFest incident in Hong Kong has left several attendees with potential eye injuries, leading to concerns about the safety of the event and the responsibility of the organizers. It is essential for event organizers to prioritize safety and promptly address any issues that arise to protect attendees and prevent further harm.
