EDINBURGH — A young man in his 20s developed retinal damage after using a percussive massage gun around and directly on his eyes for three months. Doctors Niamh O'Connell and Ashraf Khan treated the man at an eye treatment center in Edinburgh.

The patient reported experiencing floaters and occasional flashing lights in his right eye over a six-day period. He had no prior eye or head injuries and no family history of eye disorders. Examination revealed multiple retinal tears and bruising, known as commotio retinae, in both eyes.

The examination also showed retinal dialysis in the patient's right eye and six full-thickness retinal tears in his left eye. He admitted to using a percussive massage gun with a small, bullet-shaped head attachment for several minutes at a time, every week for three months. The patient stated he used the device to relieve a feeling of tiredness in his eyes.

The patient was treated with laser therapy and experienced no lasting detrimental impact on his sight. He had mild near-sightedness and required glasses. He reported no awareness of any warnings against ocular use in the operating instructions.

The case report was published in the journal BMJ Case Reports. Report authors O'Connell and Khan wrote, "Little is known regarding the safety profile of percussive massage guns." They added, "This rare presentation highlights the potential for significant retinal injury." The doctors further stated, "It also underscores the need for cautious massage gun use, careful history taking in unexpected clinical scenarios, and clear manufacturer warnings against improper application."