Physical Activity, Sports-Related Trauma and Retinal Health: Balancing Benefits and Risks – A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.78.76463Keywords
physical activity, sports, ophthalmology, ocular trauma, retina, retinal detachment, return to sport, protective eyewearAbstract
Background: Physical activity supports systemic vascular and metabolic health and may be associated with lower risk of selected ocular diseases. Sport nevertheless creates preventable retinal hazards through blunt impact, repetitive head and globe loading, rapid pressure change, and delayed recognition of retinal breaks.
Aim: To synthesize the benefits of physical activity for retinal and ocular health while defining mechanisms, sport-specific patterns, diagnosis, management, prevention, and return-to-sport considerations for sports-related retinal trauma.
Material and methods: A narrative review was conducted using a user-specified 25-reference core bibliography. PubMed/MEDLINE and publisher records were checked through 14 August 2026. Targeted supplementary searching addressed physical activity and ocular health. Evidence was organized by mechanism, sport, clinical pathway, and prevention; no meta-analysis was performed.
Results: The evidence supporting retinal benefit from physical activity is predominantly associative. Squash-ball and soccer-ball impacts, boxing and mixed martial arts, and competitive or compressed-gas diving produce distinct exposure patterns. Reported lesions include retinal dialysis, tears, detachment, macular holes, commotio retinae, hemorrhage, choroidal rupture, and delayed neovascular complications.
Conclusions: The appropriate balance is safer participation rather than inactivity. Exercise should be encouraged for established systemic benefits without claiming that it prevents retinal detachment. Certified protective equipment, education, rapid assessment, and individualized ophthalmic clearance can reduce avoidable visual harm.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Julia Jaszczyńska, Magdalena Markiewicz-Zahorski, Filip Kęska, Zoja Goti, Zofia Łubniewska, Jan Damian, Tomasz Kałużny, Maria Michalska, Aleksandra Markiewicz-Zahorski
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