Using massage guns in and around the eyes can cause large tears and bruises to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, doctors warn in an online journal. BMJ case report After treating a young man with one of these devices.
Given the severity of these potentially blinding injuries, the report’s authors call for clear warnings from manufacturers as these devices grow in popularity and in the absence of standardized guidelines for their use.
The young man in question had been developing floaters (small black spots in the field of vision) and occasional flashes of light (photopsia) in his right eye for the past six days, without any obvious cause such as a blow to the head.
Further examination revealed multiple retinal tears and contusions (retinal edema) in both eyes, and retinal dialysis in the right eye. Retinal dialysis is a special type of tear in which the retina detaches from its attachment and can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Upon further questioning, the man admitted to using a percussion massage gun directly around his eyes for a few minutes at a time, every week, for three months to relieve fatigue.
Percussion massage guns are often used to deliver rapid, focused pressure pulses to soft tissue, strengthening muscle strength and relieving musculoskeletal pain, the report’s authors explain.
He was successfully treated with laser therapy and had no lasting adverse effects on his vision, which the authors suggest was probably due to seeking prompt treatment after symptoms developed.
They stress that this is just one example and that published reports of eye problems associated with massage gun use are rare.
“However, cases of lens pathology, acute angle-closure glaucoma, and retinal detachment have also been reported,” they note.
“There are two known cases of severe visual impairment associated with massage gun use, as well as one case of successful treatment of isolated traumatic cataract without retinal damage or persistent visual impairment,” the researchers added.
“Little is known about the safety profile of percussion massage guns. In this case, the massage gun was purchased commercially and used without professional guidance. The patient reported not being aware of warnings in the instruction manual against use in the eye,” they note.
The researchers concluded: “This unusual publication highlights the potential for serious retinal damage. It also highlights the need for careful use of massage guns, careful medical history taking into account unexpected clinical scenarios, and clear manufacturer warnings against inappropriate use.”
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Reference magazines:
O’Connell, N., Kahn, A. (2026). Bilateral retinal tears and dialysis: a rare complication of percussion massage gun use. BMJ case report. DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2024-264566. https://casereports.bmj.com/content/19/6/e264566
