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Oculolinctus, also known as "worming" or eyeball-licking fetishism, is the paraphilical practice of licking eyeballs for erotic gratification. It is reportedly practiced by teenagers in Japan, where it is referred to as "Gankyū name purei" (眼球なめプレイ).[1] Licking eyeballs can cause infections and other damage to the eye which may result in blindness.[2]
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.[2] 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.[3][4] There are also accounts of this practice being practiced in the U.S. Virgin Islands.[5]
Videos from YouTube show that the fad has been around since 2006.[6]
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[2] and corneal ulcers.[6] Oral bacteria on the tongue can potentially enter corneal scratches caused by licking the eye, which then lead to infection.[7]
Furthermore, there is also the risk of blindness from the resulting infections, as well as styes. 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 one's eye.[5]
References
- ^ 2013-06-07, 小学生に眼球なめ変態プレイが大流行, 読めるモ
- ^ 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
- ^ David Moye, 2013-06-12, Eyeball Licking Causing Pinkeye In Japan, Huffington Post
- ^ 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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ignored (help) - ^ Ashik Siddique, 2013-06-12, Eyeball Licking ‘Oculolinctus’ Fetish Spreads Pink Eye Among Japanese Preteens, Medical Daily