Overview

• Brazil’s neuro‑ophthalmology society (ABNO) issued an alert on optic neuropathy linked to adulterated alcoholic beverages in São Paulo.
• State data cite nine intoxication notifications in 25 days tied to different bars and drink types such as gin, whisky and vodka, with two fatalities confirmed.
• A 36-year-old woman reported total vision loss after drinking caipirinhas with vodka and required ICU care following convulsions and intubation.
• Symptoms typically emerge 12 to 24 hours after ingestion, and experts stress that the first 48 hours are critical for treatment to preserve life and vision.
• Methanol is metabolized into formaldehyde, formate and formic acid that can injure the optic nerve and central nervous system, as police trace the source and authorities urge immediate medical evaluation for visual symptoms or persistent malaise after drinking.