Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Anterior Segment Organ Culture Platform for Tracking Open Globe Injuries and Therapeutic Performance
Published on: August 25, 2021
Ocular trauma secondary to exercise resistance bands during the COVID-19 pandemic
Hasenin Al-Khersan1, Thomas A Lazzarini1, Anne L Kunkler1
1Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America.
Objective:
To characterize injuries caused by exercise resistance bands.
Method:
Single-site retrospective case series of patients presenting to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute emergency room with ocular injuries secondary to exercise resistance bands from March through September 2020.
Results:
Eleven patients (9 males, 2 females, 14 eyes) were reviewed. Eight patients had a unilateral injury (3 right eyes, 5 left eyes) while 3 had bilateral injuries. Iritis was the most common presentation, seen in all 11 patients, followed by hyphema (9 patients, 82%), and vitreous hemorrhage (4 patients, 36%). Among affected eyes, the mean presenting visual acuity was approximately 20/100, improving to 20/40 on the last follow up (p = 0.06). However, 4 eyes (33%) had vision ≤20/60 at last follow up.
Conclusions:
Exercise resistance bands can cause a wide spectrum of ocular injuries, some leading to long-term vision loss. As such, we recommend that patients strongly consider using eye protection goggles or glasses while using resistance bands for exercise.
Related Concept Videos
Accessory Structures of the Eye
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Glaucoma: Overview
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...

