Experts have warned that massage guns – the latest craze in a long history of ideas about vibration therapy dating back to the ancient Greeks – should be used with care, after a young man used one on and around his eyes and damaged his retinas.
He’s not the first, either, they warned, but often similar cases go unreported.
Writing in BMJ: Case Reports, ophthalmologists Niamh O’Connell and Ashraf Khan describe how the young man thought massaging his eyes would help relieve feelings of tiredness.
He had been doing it weekly for around three months, with each “treatment” taking several minutes.
However, the unconventional therapy left him with multiple tears in his retinas and serious bruising (commotio retinae) in both eyes.
The retina in his right eye had also detached from the eye wall, a condition known as retinal dialysis, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
“The retinal tears and dialysis in this case are more than likely the result of percussive massage gun use directly on to the globe, since the patient had no other risk factors for retinal pathology, such as high myopia, ocular surgery, or a genetic predisposition,” wrote O’Connell and Khan, from the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh.
“This is the first case of retinal dialysis with multiple bilateral retinal tears in the literature associated with percussive massage gun use.”
The patient had presented with complaints about persistent floaters in his vision and occasional bouts of photopsia (flashing lights appearing in the eyes).
The cause of these issues was, to begin with, something of a mystery. His doctors established that there had been no recent head injury, and he had no family history of eye health problems.
Eventually, the man realised what might have happened.
“When specifically asked about anything untoward involving the eyes, the patient reluctantly disclosed that he had been using a percussive massage gun both around and directly on both eyes,” explains the report.
The good news is that a series of laser treatments was successfully used to repair the eye issues, and the patient emerged from the affair with no lasting damage to his vision.
Other people haven’t been quite so lucky, left with detached retinas and reduced vision from using massage guns on or around the eyes.
The young man’s doctors say he probably regained his vision – despite the extensive damage – because he had sought medical help just six days after noticing his symptoms.
As massage guns aren’t sold to treat or cure a specific condition, they’re classed as low-risk wellness devices, meaning they don’t require regulatory approval.
The ophthalmologists want to see more done to raise awareness of the risks.
“Little is known regarding the safety profile of percussive massage guns,” they write.
“In this case, the device was commercially purchased and used without professional guidance. The patient reported no awareness of any warnings in the operating instructions against ocular use.”
The report also refers to another case of rhabdomyolysis (serious damage to the skeletal muscle) caused by using a massage gun on the thighs – a more typical way of using these devices, but still not without risks.
As O’Connell and Khan point out, there’s not much evidence out there about the safety of percussive massage therapy, and no standard set of guidelines for how these devices should be used.
There is research showing that massage guns can improve muscle strength and flexibility, and reduce muscle pain – but if people are going to invest in one of these devices, they need to use it in moderation and keep it well away from their eyes.
“This rare presentation highlights the potential for significant retinal injury,” write the ophthalmologists.
“It also underscores the need for cautious massage gun use, careful history taking (by doctors) in unexpected clinical scenarios and clear manufacturer warnings against improper application.”
Study details
Bilateral retinal tears and dialysis: a rare complication of percussive massage gun use
Niamh O’Connell and Ashraf Khan
Published in BMJ: Case Reports on 18 June 2026
Abstract
Percussive massage guns are increasingly available in society, yet the risk of improper use is under-recognised. We report an unusual case of bilateral retinal tears and dialysis in a student who used a high-frequency percussive massage gun directly onto his eyes and around his orbit to relieve tiredness. Despite no ocular history, examination revealed extensive retinal tears and commotio retinae (retinal bruising) in both eyes. The patient was treated successfully with barrier laser therapy. This rare presentation highlights the potential for significant retinal injury. It also underscores the need for cautious massage gun use, careful history taking in unexpected clinical scenarios and clear manufacturer warnings against improper application.