Hangover Symptoms & Vision Loss: What Could It Be?

Ashley King was unknowingly poisoned with methanol during a trip to Bali in 2011, an experience that left her permanently blind and highlights the hidden dangers travelers face when consuming alcohol abroad. The incident underscores a global issue of tainted liquor, often occurring in areas with limited regulation and quality control.

Methanol Poisoning in Bali

King, an 18-year-old Canadian on a gap year, had been enjoying her time in Bali before traveling to New Zealand for a hiking trip. On her last night, she and other backpackers consumed cocktails served in plastic water bottles at a nightclub in Kuta.

The following morning, while in Auckland, King experienced what she believed was a severe hangover. Symptoms included exhaustion, a malfunctioning iPod, poor lighting perception, and a persistent headache accompanied by difficulty breathing. She would later discover she was suffering from methanol poisoning.

A Hidden Danger

The cocktails King consumed were likely mixed with methanol, a clear, odorless solvent that is a byproduct of alcohol distillation and can be deadly if ingested. Despite researching potential risks in Bali, King’s concerns were limited to the 2002 Bali bombings and pickpocketing.

King initially attributed her symptoms to a hangover, unaware of the true danger. “You can’t prepare yourself for something if you don’t know it exists. I thought I would have been attacked by a shark before I would have ended up blind,” she said.

Global Issue, Often Unreported

The full extent of methanol poisoning cases is unknown, but significant incidents periodically draw international attention. In November 2024, six tourists, including two Australian teenagers and a British physician, died in Laos after consuming alcohol laced with methanol.

According to Asta Man, senior communications officer for Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF), most cases occur in impoverished areas where tainted liquor is prevalent. The issue often arises not from deliberate poisoning, but from a lack of technical knowledge or equipment to properly remove methanol during distillation.

Recognizing the Risks

MSF advises travelers to drink beer directly from cans or bottles and to verify that spirits are poured from sealed bottles with intact labels. Recognizing the symptoms of methanol poisoning – such as blurred or cloudy vision – is also crucial, as these can be mistaken for a typical hangover.

“Even with Western cultures, as much as drinking alcohol is common there is some belief that ‘if you do stupid things, it’s because of alcohol, it’s your own burden to bear’ and that stigma comes with a lack of sympathy,” says Man. “You can’t smell it, you can’t taste it, but you put the burden on that person to recognize something that’s unrecognizable.”

Long-Term Consequences and Awareness Efforts

While King survived, she lost her sight permanently. Methanol exposure can also lead to long-term health problems, including liver disease and an increased risk of cancer. Before losing her sight, King had planned to pursue a career in drama and later created a podcast called “Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir” based on her experience.

Sharing her story publicly has been met with criticism, with some blaming her for drinking alcohol. Stephanie Boyle, who works at the Safer Tourism Foundation, emphasizes the importance of sharing stories like King’s to raise public awareness.

The Safer Tourism Foundation, established after two children died from carbon monoxide poisoning during a family vacation, now focuses on educating travelers about various hidden hazards, including methanol poisoning. Boyle believes that highlighting personal stories is more effective than simply issuing warnings.

The UK Foreign Office currently lists Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam as countries with risks of methanol poisoning.

Man, from MSF, advocates for a dual approach: public awareness campaigns and educating doctors in high-risk areas about identifying and treating methanol poisoning. “People want a black and white answer,” she says. “They want to know there’s one thing they can do not to be harmed, but sadly in real life that’s not the case.”