Experts have cautioned that a weekend barbecue could harm your eyes, and not just from the smoke.

Prompting families to fire up the grill for some delectable fare.

It is also advised them to ensure that meat is properly cooked to avoid jeopardizing their eye health.

Undercooked raw meat can cause stomach aches, sickness, diarrhoea, and other symptoms.

However, few people are aware that a food poisoning episode can result in vision loss.

“BBQ is a summer staple for many of us,” said Giles Edmonds, clinical services director. “But if you’re going to cook meat, it’s important that you do it thoroughly.”

Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by eating raw or undercooked meat.

This is associated with the Toxoplasma parasite, which is transmitted to livestock before being consumed by meat eaters.

“If meat isn’t cooked properly, these parasites aren’t killed and are still present in the food we eat.”

According to studies, toxoplasmosis is common and usually harmless, with some people unaware they have been infected.

It can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, tiredness, feeling sick, and a sore throat.

These usually clear up on their own after about six weeks, but some people have more serious issues.

Ocular toxoplasmosis is an eye disease caused by Toxoplasma infection.

It causes eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and watery eyes.

However, researchers from Flinders University in Australia discovered that it can increase the risk of vision loss due to retinal scarring.

“Retinal scarring is often caused by inflammation and can sometimes lead to a retinal detachment,” Mr Edmonds explained.

“If you have any concerns, you should always see your optometrist.” Because retinal scars are difficult to remove, any vision lost is unlikely to be restored and may remain obstructed or distorted.

Toxoplasmosis can also be contracted by stroking infected cats, who shed microscopic particles for three weeks after infection.

When cleaning their pet cat’s litter box, a person may unknowingly consume Toxoplasma.

If the cat is allowed outside, it may contaminate the garden, where humans can pick.