Retinal tear formation after whole-body vibration training exercise

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Whole-body vibration (WBV) training is increasingly popular.
• Ocular complications following WBV are rarely documented.
• This report details a unique case of retinal injury linked to WBV.

Observation:

• A 59-year-old male presented with acute floaters and vision shadows in his left eye.
• Ophthalmic examination revealed a temporal retinal tear, pre-retinal, and vitreous hemorrhages.
• The patient had recently completed a session of whole-body vibration training.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with a temporal retinal tear and associated hemorrhages.
• Laser photocoagulation was performed for treatment.
• Follow-up at 4 months showed resolution of the hemorrhages.

Implications:

• High-force WBV may pose a risk for retinal tears in susceptible individuals.
• The medical and athletic communities should be aware of potential ocular side effects of WBV.
• Further research is warranted to understand the mechanism and prevalence of WBV-induced ocular injuries.