Bill Harvey: Champagne supernova

Have you heard of the Ig Nobel prize? I am not sure it has ever been awarded to an eye researcher but I think I have found a possible candidate.

When working recently on a feature looking at intraocular pressure, I came across an excellent review paper in a 2013 issue of Acta Ophtalmologica looking at the many and various influences upon IOP. Along with the usual ones (time of day, blinking, accommodation and so on), the following was cited. ‘A significant IOP drop was observed at the reported time course corresponding to consumption of champagne followed by sexual activity. The IOP stabilised to the baseline range afterwards. This pattern was reproduced in the subsequent two study sessions and was absent during the session including only consumption of champagne.’