What happened at the NFT festival? Crypto enthusiasts report severe eye pain, skin issues from lights

Partygoers have reported experiencing eye pain and vision problems after attending a rave at ApeFest, a three-day event in Hong Kong for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Attendees started sharing their symptoms on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after an event on Nov. 5.

One attendee, who goes by CryptoJune on social media, was one of the people who posted about waking up in pain after the event.

“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,” they wrote on Nov. 5. “Doctor told me it was due to the UV from stage lights. I go to festivals often but have never experienced this.”

“I was in the hospital too this morning same condition,” someone replied, sharing a photo of what appears to be a hospital entrance.

“Same here,” another X user with a cartoon ape as their alt image added. “Burning pain at 3am this morning.”

ApeFest is hosted by Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), a collective of people who bought Bored Ape NFTs, which the group describes as being “unique digital collectibles living on the Ethereum blockchain.” The NFTs are digital images of apes with different facial expressions and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Bored Apes became more well-known outside of crypto enthusiasts in 2021 when celebrities like Justin Bieber, Paris Hilton and Jimmy Fallon publicly showed off their NFTs. Bieber’s NFT was valued at $1.3 million in 2022 and, as of July, is now valued at $60,000; all three celebrities were involved in a December lawsuit for “misleading their followers into buying BAYC NFTs.”

BAYC is owned by Yuga Labs, which describes itself as “shaping web3 through storytelling, experiences and community.”

“I’m shocked it’s still happening because I’m not quite sure as to how these things are funded,” cryptocurrency reporter Ed Zitron told In The Know by Yahoo, referring to the festival. He also noted that he believes BAYC is the last NFT-focused group to still be hosting in-person events.

ApeFest is exclusive to BAYC’s 11,350 members. Zitron wasn’t sure how many members showed up to the actual event but assumed it was thousands. The New York Times reported that there were an estimated 2,500 people at the event.

A spokesperson for Yuga Labs did not confirm to In The Know by Yahoo how many attendees or employees had reached out to them regarding eye problems since Nov. 5. Instead, they directed In The Know by Yahoo to the statement Yuga Labs issued on X on Nov. 8. In it, the company addressed receiving multiple reports from attendees and staff who “experienced eye pain, vision issues or skin irritation” following a community event.

“These reports were — and continue to be — deeply concerning to us,” the post said. “We commenced an investigation that included a thorough review of inventory records, material logs, and spec sheets (including paint and lighting), interviewing contractors who provided and built ApeFest installations, and conducting testing and on-site inspections.”

Yuga Labs said the investigation found that there was UV-A emitting lighting installed in one area of the event that “was likely the cause of the reported issues related to attendees’ eyes and skin.”

UV-A lights can be used for emulsion paint curing in screen printing and industrial sealing applications, although most people typically encounter UV-A lights at nail salons in gel nail polish dryers.

The National Eye Institute says that UV-A light more easily penetrates eye tissue than regular light, which increases the risk of eye problems if exposed. A common eye condition that stems from exposure to UV-A light is photokeratitis, which, depending on the level of exposure, can result in mild irritation or severe pain, says the College of Optometrists. Photokeratitis symptoms typically appear 6 to 12 hours after exposure.

Photokeratitis is serious but not permanent.

The findings confirmed what some X users were speculating, based on photos from the event.

“Community is the heart of Yuga and the purpose of ApeFest is to bring the community together IRL,” Yuga continued on X. “We are saddened that this incident has detracted from the experience of ApeFest attendees. Along with Jack Morton, we are committed to supporting the recovery of anyone affected.”

CryptoJune told In The Know by Yahoo that they had an otherwise “fantastic week” at the event.

“[M]y eyes and skin are improving. I still have some slight blurriness in the distance, but it’s getting better, and I no longer have any pain,” they said.

Reporter Zitron wasn’t surprised attendees seemed understanding of the situation with Yuga Labs.

“There is an allegiance between those who trade with or work with cryptocurrencies — a sense that it’s them against the world and that people ‘just don’t understand’ what they’re doing,” he said.

A similar incident happened in 2017 at a pop-up for Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, in collaboration with the streetwear publication Hypebeast. Attendees and employees who attended the party reported eye pain and painful sunburns the following morning.

“I leave the event and later that next morning, I wake up at 3 am with the worst eye pain I’ve ever had,” James Acey, who was DJ-ing the event, told Hong Kong Free Press. “I’m struggling for the next 12 hours, thinking and feeling that I might be going blind, trying to sleep it off, but unable to — my eyes are watering and I’m unable to keep them open.”

Ultimately, most of the ApeFest attendees on X don’t seem to be blaming the club or Jack Morton Public Relations, the agency that produced ApeFest 2023, for the UV-A exposure. Adrian Zduńczyk, one of the club members who shared a photo of their medical bill after getting their eyes checked in Hong Kong, posted “No hate towards the organizers – I doubt it was on purpose.”

Neither Yuga Labs nor Jack Morton have publicly stated exactly how UV-A lights were mistakenly installed on the ApeFest stage.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News — follow us here!

The post What happened at the NFT festival? Crypto enthusiasts report severe eye pain, skin issues from lights appeared first on In The Know.

More from In The Know:

Roblox's influence might be more powerful than any of us realize, according to new report

Young students are eager to share stories about sexual, physical and mental health. But what about digital health?

What is going on in YouTube's Second Life community? Creators accuse each other of stealing content, filing false DMCA reports