Mortality associated with methanol has been of great concern. Methanol is also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, spirit and carbinol. The occurrence of cases has been prevalent in developing nations especially in low socioeconomic status people mainly in countries like India, Cambodia, Kenya, Libya, Indonesia, Equador, Estonia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Turkey, Uganda; etc. Knowledge of the pathophysiological changes that occur in the body after methanol consumption is essential for all practising doctors. This case report mainly highlights the metabolism of methanol and its physiological effect on the body and management of methanol poisoning. Conversion of methanol to formaldehyde and formic acid by hepatic enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase triggers the onset of clinical symptoms. The appearance of clinical symptoms start as early as 30 min to 12 hour. If left untreated patient may develop uncompensated metabolic acidosis, blindness, seizures, hypoglycemia, and dyselectrolemia. Funduscopic examination and ABG should be carried out. The main stay of treatment is ethanol, folinic acid, aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor and hemodialysis. The basic steps in approach must be carried out in the emergency department and followed-up with meticulous monitoring in the intensive care unit for salvage as well as prevention of long-term sequelae. In Tripoli, Libya over 1000 patients were poisoned with a fatality rate of 10%. In Kenya 2 outbreaks resulted in approx. 341 and 126 patients with case fatality rate of 29% and 21% respectively. Ethanol poisoning in Malwani near Malad, Mumbai claimed large number of deaths due to delay in suspecting and diagnosis and delay in management principles of management are designed to tackle this type of disaster in future. There are several guidelines for the management of methanol poisoning, but in India at primary health care resources of investigation and treatment are limited. In India there are also unauthorized production of alcohol, who mixes methanol with alcohol for early kick and secondly it is cheaper than alcohol. Methanol is generally used for solvent in printing and copy solutions, polishes, paints and stabilizers. They are also used as antifreeze and as additive in gasoline. Methanol is known as an industrial alcohol and is mixed up with alcohol and used for medical purpose. Methanol is well absorbed following inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous expression. 

Keywords: Methanol; Mortality; Funduscopic examination; Metabolism.