Doctors warn massage gun use near the eyes can cause serious retinal damage — here’s what you need to know

If you own a massage gun – and millions of Australians now do – this medical warning is worth reading before your next session.

Doctors have issued a warning in the British Medical Journal’s Case Reports after treating a young man who had been using a percussive massage gun directly on and around his eyes for several minutes at a time, every week, for three months. His reason was entirely relatable: he wanted to relieve eye tiredness.

The injuries he sustained were not relatable at all.

Examination revealed multiple retinal tears and bruising in both eyes, as well as retinal dialysis in the right eye – a specific type of tear in which the retina separates from its attachment point. Left untreated, this type of injury can cause permanent vision loss. The man had noticed floaters and flashing lights for six days before seeking help, which fortunately was prompt enough for laser therapy to be successful with no lasting damage to his sight.

He reported no awareness of any warnings in the device’s operating instructions against eye use.

What are percussive massage guns and why are they risky near the eyes?

Massage guns deliver rapid, concentrated pulses of pressure to soft tissue – that is precisely what makes them effective for muscle recovery and pain relief. Applied to the eye area, that same concentrated percussive force is transmitted directly to the delicate structures inside the eye, including the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that cannot repair itself once significantly damaged.

The report authors note this is not the first documented case of eye injury associated with massage gun use. Other published cases have included lens damage, acute angle closure glaucoma and retinal detachment. Two known cases have resulted in profound vision impairment.

The call for clearer warnings

The doctors are not calling for massage guns to be banned or restricted. They are calling for something more straightforward: clear manufacturer warnings against use near the eyes, standardised safety guidelines and better consumer awareness that these devices – however useful for muscles and joints – are not designed for use anywhere near the face.

“This rare presentation highlights the potential for significant retinal injury,” the report authors write, adding that it “underscores the need for cautious massage gun use and clear manufacturer warnings against improper application.”

For Australians over 60 for whom eye health is already a priority consideration, the message is simple: keep the massage gun on the muscles where it belongs.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.