A luminous event for Bored Ape Yacht Club enthusiasts turned concerning as reports surfaced of attendees facing eye and skin issues post ApeFest, an NFT showcase by Yuga Labs in Hong Kong.
Individuals have come forward with symptoms indicative of photokeratitis, a condition likened to sunburn of the eyes, suspected to be caused by UV light exposure from the event’s stage lighting.
Crypto enthusiast Adrian Zduńczyk and others highlighted their plight on social media, urging those affected to seek immediate medical attention.
Zduńczyk’s proactive response seemingly mitigated long-term damage, as his vision checked out nearly perfect post-treatment. While Yuga Labs acknowledged the situation, noting it’s a small fraction of the 2,250-strong crowd, the exact source of these health hazards remains under investigation.
The incident, reminiscent of a similar occurrence at a HypeBeast event in 2017, has put a spotlight on event safety protocols concerning lighting.
As Yuga Labs reaches out to those impacted, the community awaits a resolution to prevent such occurrences in future gatherings. The episode serves as a reminder of the unforeseen challenges emerging from the intersection of technology and immersive events.
