Yoga Labs addresses ApeFest ‘visual damage’ issue, community calls out for poor management
Several attendees at Yoga Labs' ApeFest event in Hong Kong on Nov. 4 reported eye-related issues, burning, impaired vision and “severe pain” in their eyes.
Yoga Labs' official X (formerly Twitter) account has addressed the issue, saying it is aware of reports of possible eye-related issues among attendees and is investigating the cause behind them.
I just opened IG and Jasmine's eyes are swollen.
Some monkeys had eye problems at ApeFest.
Protect your eyes. Wash your hands.
Be careful there. pic.twitter.com/FNHF9hrDeg
— DripperPb (@DripperPb) November 6, 2023
Yuga Labs says less than 1% of participants experience eye-related problems, and most affected participants show improvement in their condition over time.
Apes, we are aware of the eye-related issues that have affected some ApeFest attendees and have been contacting the individuals since yesterday to try and find the root causes. According to our estimates, less than 1 percent of those…
— Bored Ape Yacht Club (@BoredApeYC) November 6, 2023
The Hong Kong event grabbed most of the crypto community's headlines and attention over the weekend at X. Many users have come up with different theories behind the eye damage, with one pointing to a similar instance at a promotional event six years ago. At the event, third-party contractors installed anti-ultraviolet (UV) lights instead of stage lights, resulting in similar eye damage, burns, blindness, and photokeratitis.
Re: Monkeys with eye injuries at apefest
6 years ago in Hong Kong Hypebeast hosted a party, 3rd party contractors installed anti-UV lights instead of stage lights, and people had the same eye damage, burns, blindness, photokeratitis.
This can happen pic.twitter.com/ofMUncwya8
— CryptoFinally (@CryptoFinally) November 5, 2023
Others have suggested that the effects of UV light can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the exposure.
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Others criticized the organizers behind the show, saying they should have paid more attention to basic medical risks.
I can't imagine paying that much to be part of a “club” that deals with basic medical risks. I have a Philips UV disinfection lamp in my house, and you don't have to be in the same room when it's on. It says directly in the instructions not to look at it or be in close proximity because ozone can also release toxic/carcinogenic gas.
Many other attendees blasted Yoga Labs for the trouble, saying they took out loans to attend the event and said, “I don't know how I'm going to pay the eye-related medical bills.”
I have been a loyal community member for over 2 years.
My monkey is not only the most expensive thing I've ever owned, it's one of the most expensive things I've ever owned.
I got my parents to take out a loan for me to attend ApeFest, and now I'm drowning in eye-related medical bills that I don't know how to pay.
— Arnold Bernault (@ahitposter) November 6, 2023
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