Exercise band-induced lens dislocations: A case series

Abstract

Purpose We report three cases of lens dislocation due to ocular trauma from a recoiling exercise band. Observations Three patients had closed globe injury resulting in lens dislocation. All had previously undergone intraocular surgeries; two patients were within three weeks of pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair. Findings included vision loss, hyphema, and increased intraocular pressure refractory to medical management. The retina remained attached post-traumatically in all cases. Lens removal or repositioning resulted in improved vision. Conclusions and Importance A recoiling exercise band can cause lens dislocation, hyphema, and ocular hypertension that may require surgical intervention. Our report emphasizes the importance of patient counseling in the perioperative period for the prevention of traumatic complications.

Ocular Injuries Associated With Elastic Exercise Bands

“…To the best of our knowledge, there are five case reports detailing unilateral exercise band injuries in seven eyes (Table 2). 2–6 Elastic exercise band injury is similar in mechanism to the well-reported cases of bungee cord associated trauma, wherein elastic cords that were stretched to high tension and anchored by a metal hook were inadvertently released with resultant recoil that caused blunt ocular trauma. 7 The clinical manifestations of elastic band injury were markedly less severe than what has been reported with bungee cord associated ocular trauma.…”

“…1 Recently, there have been case reports describing trauma associated with exercise equipment using elastic cords. [2][3][4][5][6] Users of exercise bands strength train by generating the force necessary to overcome the resistance of the synthetic rubber. Ocular trauma may result from the accidental recoil of the elastic cord.…”

Exercise Resistance Band induced injuries during Covid 19 Pandemic Lockdown Training

“…Injuries caused by exercise resistance bands include bruises, head injuries with lacerations or facial fractures, eye injuries with per-manent vision loss and can lead to disfigurement or disability. Ocular accidents are especially described after tearing or recoiling of these resistance bands [8,9,10,11,12,13]. The following kinds of eye injuries are reported:…”

“…Iritis, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage and in one case a macular hole are described in a study of 11 patients "with an ocular injury associated with the use of an exercise-specific resistance band" by Al-khersan et al [8]. Rosignoli et al report about three patients who sustained lens dislocations "due to ocular trauma from a recoiling exercise band" [9]. In another case Joondeph and Joondeph [11] report about one athlete who was "doing pull ups with an elastic [resistance] band tied around his waist and secured to the pull up bar thus partially supporting his weight".…”

“…However, despite numerous benefits resistance band related injuries do occur when they recoil, snap or tear. Mostly affected body parts are the head and especially the eyes [8,9,10,11]. Previous studies on exercise resistance band related injuries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic during lockdowns show a wide range including injuries like iritis, hyphema, vitreous and hemorrhage [8,10].…”