Doctors are warning of the dangers of improper use of electric massage devices, after a young man in his twenties suffered damage to his retina as a result of using a vibrating massage device directly around his eyes.
Ophthalmologists Niamh O'Connell and Ashraf Khan explained that the young man believed that massaging the eye area might help him get rid of fatigue, so he began using an electric massager on this area regularly for nearly three months, at a rate of weekly sessions lasting several minutes.
Over time, he began experiencing alarming symptoms, including seeing floaters in his field of vision and flashing lights in both eyes. Initially, the cause was unclear, as the patient had no history of head injuries, genetic conditions, or eye surgery.
Later, after a thorough medical examination, the patient admitted that he had been using the massage device directly around his eyes, which doctors suggested was the likely cause of the injury.
The tests revealed multiple retinal tears and severe bruising known as retinal concussion in both eyes, in addition to the right eye's retina detaching from its inner wall, a condition that could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
According to the report, doctors believe that this condition is most likely caused by the strong vibrations of the device directly affecting the eyeball, especially given the absence of any other risk factors in the patient.
Despite the seriousness of the condition, doctors were able to successfully treat it using laser sessions, and the patient regained his sight without permanent damage, after receiving treatment within a short period of time from the onset of symptoms.
But doctors warn that similar results could be more serious in other cases, as previous injuries have been recorded that included retinal detachment and impaired vision as a result of using massage devices near or directly on the eyes.
The report also notes that these devices are usually classified as low-risk products because they are not marketed as therapeutic medical devices, which means they are not always subject to strict regulatory approvals.
On the other hand, researchers emphasize that scientific evidence regarding the safety of "vibrational massage therapy" is still limited, and there are no clear guidelines specifying how to use these devices safely.
Doctors stress the need to avoid using massage devices near the eyes altogether, and to use them sparingly and only in permitted areas, while increasing awareness of potential risks and the need for clearer warnings from manufacturers.
This case was published in the journal BMJ Case Reports.
