While Sexting, I-dosing, vodka eyeballing, prescription drug abuse have been raging trends among adolescents, the latest trend to make its way to the list is the eyeball-licking fetish. However, according to health experts, the practice is unsafe as it can cause severe eye-infections and damage the eye-sight.
Eyeball licking also known as oculolinctus, or worming, is a practice of licking eyeballs for sexual pleasure. Media in Japan, recently reported that this new dating practice was playing an important role in spreading pink eye or conjunctivitis. Naver Matome, another Japanese website which first highlighted the issue, found that a number of 12-year-old, grade 6 elementary school students were doing this while dating.
A research conducted by Medical Daily on the issue found a wide range of videos on You Tube, providing ample evidence that this practice has been prevalent from a long time.
"The cornea is the most innervated part of the body," Dr. Robert Noecker, an ophthalmologist practicing in Connecticut, told Medical Daily. "That's why it might feel good to have it licked. It's the same thing with sucking toes - they're so sensitive because the body needs to be able to detect minor particles and other disturbances. If you're so inclined, that's the plus."
Health experts warn youngsters against the practice, as it can increase the risks of sties, corneal ulcer, conjunctivitis, and Chlamydia (a sexually transmitted infection).
"You're potentially traumatizing the eye," he added to Medical Daily. "You can knock cells off and easily scratch the cornea, which can lead to a corneal ulcer that can be blinding."
Reports show that the practice is also gaining popularity among teens in the U.S. to develop intimacy in relationships.
"My boyfriend started licking my eyeballs years ago and I just loved it. I'm not with him anymore, but I still like to ask guys to lick my eyeballs," Elektrika Energias, a 29-year-old environmental science student in the U.S. Virgin Islands, told the Huffington Post. "I just love it because it turns me on, like sucking on my toes. It makes me feel all tingly."
Watch an eyeball licking video posted on You Tube below:
