Man Used a Massage Gun on His Tired Eyeballs. It Didn’t Go Well (and other horror stories)
This seems obvious, but your eyes are very delicate!
When your eyes feel tired after a long day of working, reading, or scrolling, it’s natural to look for quick relief. Warm compresses, breaks from screens, and artificial tears can all help soothe eye strain. But one thing should never come near your eyes: a percussive massage gun.
A recent medical case serves as an important reminder that even well-intentioned home remedies can have horrible consequences when used improperly. While massage guns are designed to help sore muscles recover, the eyes are not muscles; they are among the most delicate and complex organs in the human body.
A case that highlights the risks
Doctors recently treated a healthy man in his twenties who used a percussive massage gun directly on and around his eyes for several months in an attempt to relieve eye fatigue. After using this percussive massage therapy, he developed flashing lights and increasing floaters (specks or dots that move across your vision).
While his intraocular pressure (eye pressure) and visual acuity (clarity and sharpness of vision) were in the normal range, an examination revealed additional eye health issues such as multiple retinal tears, widespread retinal bruising, and a serious injury known as retinal dialysis. This is when your retina is damaged by blunt trauma such as a punch to the eye. Fortunately, he sought medical attention quickly and received laser treatment that reduced his retinal injury and preserved his vision.
His experience may sound unusual, but it illustrates an important lesson: products that are safe for one part of the body can be extremely dangerous when used elsewhere.
Why massage guns and eyes don’t mix
Percussive massage devices work by delivering rapid, high-force pulses to soft tissues such as muscles. This percussive therapy can help relieve muscle soreness when used correctly.
The eye, however, has a completely different structure. It contains delicate tissues, including the retina, the light-sensitive layer lining the back of the eye, that can be damaged by sudden compression or repeated vibration. Unlike a sore muscle, the retina cannot tolerate repeated impacts.
In the reported case, physicians concluded that the massage gun likely caused the eyeball to compress and expand rapidly, creating forces strong enough to tear the retina. These injuries can lead to permanent vision loss if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Other surprising and totally avoidable ways people put their eyes at risk
The man with the massage gun is far from alone. Eye doctors regularly treat patients who damaged their vision while chasing a beauty trend, a viral remedy, or a moment of curiosity. A few recent cautionary tales stand out:
- Tattooing the white of the eye. In a body modification trend called scleral tattooing, ink is injected directly into the white of the eye to change its color. One 24-year-old woman who had hers dyed purple developed severe swelling, infection, and ink seeping from the eye, and doctors told her the vision in that eye would never fully recover. As the American Academy of Ophthalmology warns, these procedures have caused permanent vision loss and, in at least one case, removal of the eye.
- Staring at a solar eclipse. After looking at the 2017 solar eclipse for only a few seconds without proper protection, a woman in her twenties was left with a permanent blind spot shaped like a crescent, an injury called solar retinopathy. There is no treatment for this condition, which scars the same light-sensitive retina that a massage gun can tear.
- Wearing costume contact lenses. Decorative lenses sold without a prescription at costume shops, gas stations, and online can seem harmless, but the FDA classifies them as medical devices for good reason. Poorly fitted or contaminated lenses can cause corneal ulcers and blinding infections, sometimes within a single day. One 17-year-old lost sight in one eye after wearing them simply to change his eye color.
Each of these injuries was preventable, and each began with treating the eye as a site for experimentation. That is the deeper lesson behind the massage gun: when it comes to your eyes, novelty is rarely worth the risk.
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Know the warning signs
If you experience any of the following symptoms after an eye injury, or even without an obvious injury, you should seek immediate evaluation by an eye care professional:
- Sudden flashes of light
- A sudden increase in floaters
- A curtain or shadow moving across your vision
- A sudden decrease in vision
These symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment, both of which require urgent medical attention such as laser therapy. Early diagnosis can make the difference between preserving visual acuity and permanent vision loss.
Trust our expert care for your vision
Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist / Surgeon
At Assil Gaur Eye Institute (AGEI), protecting your vision begins with education as much as treatment. While many wellness devices have legitimate uses, they should always be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and never in ways they were not designed for (such as ocular use, like the example in this article).
Retinal conditions require specialized expertise. Dr. Svetlana “Dr. P.” Pilyugina, M.D., a fellowship-trained, board-certified retina specialist at AGEI, specializes in diagnosing and treating retinal diseases. These include retinal tears and retinal detachments, using advanced imaging and laser technology. Dr. P says, “Hopefully, we won’t see any cases like this. But if we do, we can handle it. But what a terrible position to unexpectedly be in.”
A simple rule to protect your eyes
It’s easy to assume that if something feels good for your muscles, it might help tired eyes as well. Unfortunately, the opposite can be true.
Your eyes are remarkably sophisticated organs that allow you to experience the world every day. They are also surprisingly vulnerable to injury. Before trying an internet trend or an unconventional home remedy, remember that your vision is far too valuable to risk.
When your eyes are uncomfortable, the safest solution isn’t experimentation; it’s to find out why. If you notice new visual symptoms or have concerns about your retinal health, schedule a comprehensive eye examination with an experienced ophthalmologist. Protecting your eyesight today can help preserve your vision for years to come.
Safeguard your vision with AGEI’s expert care
If you have injured your eye or noticed new flashes, floaters, or any change in your vision, do not wait to have it checked. At Assil Gaur Eye Institute, our nationally recognized ophthalmologists and fellowship-trained retina specialist, Dr. Svetlana Pilyugina, use advanced imaging and laser technology to diagnose and treat retinal conditions before they threaten your sight.
Take the first step toward protecting your vision: call (866) 945-2745 to schedule your consultation or request an appointment online. We care for patients throughout Southern California, with locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and West Hollywood.
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Call now or book your appointment online.
Written by The AGEI Educational Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Svetlana Pilyugina
