Japanese students are putting their health at risk in a new eyeball-licking trend called “worming.”

The latest craze, also known as “oculolinctus” is reportedly an expression of affection between young lovers, The Daily Mail reported today.

“The bizarre fetish has led to a surge in cases of eye infections and can even cause blindness, doctors have warned,” the report said.

Apparently, eyeball licking is considered to be the new “second base” for Japanese kids, The Daily Caller reported. Teachers first started noticing an uptick in students wearing eye patches. They first blamed it on a fashion trend, only to find out it was really a surge in conjunctivitis, or pink eye.

In one classroom of 12-year-olds, one third of the students confessed to “worming” or being “wormed,” ShanghaiList.com reported.

Hundreds of videos have been posted to YouTube, demonstrating eyeball licking.

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