Oculolinctus (also known as "worming" or Eyeball-licking fetishism) is a paraphilical known to be practiced in Japan where the eyeball is licked. Although it has been said that the large number of nerve endings in the eye allow for the increase of sensation, infections of the eye are not uncommon, and have increased in Japan as the practice becomes more popular. Additionally, these infections can lead to permanent blindness.[1]
Characteristics
In 2013, oculolinctus reportedly became popular among teenagers in Japan, resulting in a significant rise of eye infections. According to The Guardian, eyeball-licking was "seen as a new second-base; the thing you graduate to when kissing gets boring", possibly as a result of it being featured in a music video by the Japanese band Born.[1] Further reports showed an increase in Japanese schoolchildren wearing eyepatches as a result of eye infection arising from the act, with one school finding one third of 12 year old students admitting to engaging in oculolinctus.[2] The practice is also popular in the U.S. Virgin Islands.[3]
Videos from YouTube show that the fad has been around since 2006.[4]
Risks
The appeal of the sensation, reportedly akin to toe-sucking, may lie in the high number of nerve endings in the cornea, which make the eyeballs very sensitive. But the practice is associated with significant health risks, as tongues are coated with a film of microorganisms, which may cause infections in the eye, such as conjunctivitis and chlamydia. It also carries the risk of corneal abrasion[1] and corneal ulcers.[4]
Furthermore, there is also the risk of blindness from the resulting infections, as well as stys. The difference in bacteria between the eye and mouth is why it is no longer recommended to lick contact lenses before they are inserted into ones eye.[3]
References
- ^ a b c Heritage, Stuart (14 June 2013). "Eyeball-licking: the fetish that is making Japanese teenagers sick". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ Emma Innes, 2013-06-13, The EYEBALL LICKING craze that's sweeping Japan and causing a surge in eye infections, Daily Mail UK
- ^ a b Waxman, Olivia B. (14 June 2013). "Eyeball-Licking Fetish Isn't Just Disgusting, It Spreads Pink Eye". TIME. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ a b Narcisse, Quenton (14). "Eyeball Licking: Japan's Craziest New Fetish". Mashable. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
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