When Masturbation Really Could Make You Go Blind

My Story

About 35 years ago, I learned, like too many do, that if I live long enough my eyes would eventually fail me. My mother’s retina detached while she was driving home from work during rush hour. Somehow she managed to pull her car onto the shoulder and wait for help. She eventually recovered, but for me that moment planted a seed: my turn would come someday.

Well, it came last week. And while modern medicine has come a long way and my recovery will be easier than hers, the lesson is the same—vision is fragile.

Here’s the surprising part: recovery from retinal surgery doesn’t just mean resting your eyes. It means avoiding anything that could spike the pressure inside them. I’m not allowed to masturbate or have sex for four to six weeks. Why? Because if the pressure inside my head and eyes rises too quickly, that delicate surgical repair could tear or bleed. Almost literally—I could go blind.

It’s not just sex, either. I’ve also been told to avoid sneezing, or if I absolutely must, to sneeze with my mouth open. That’s how sensitive the system is. Sneezing is a full-body entanglement—your chest, face, throat, eyes, all firing at once. The wrong pressure wave at the wrong time could undo the surgeon’s careful work.

For me, abstaining is more than worth it. I’m a 61-year-old man who only regained the use of his penis five years ago after prostate surgery (link to story). I know I can handle this. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to like it.

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The Strange History of Masturbation Myths

Since we’re here, let’s take a tour of some of the strangest stories told about masturbation—some funny, some horrifying, all unscientific.

Hairy Palms & Blindness: For centuries, young people were warned that masturbation would make them grow hair on their hands or go blind. The hairy palms myth was pure invention. The blindness myth? Well, it’s not totally wrong—sexual activity can spike blood pressure in ways that might be dangerous for someone recovering from eye surgery. That tiny grain of truth probably helped the myth stick.

Victorian Torture Devices: In the 1800s, masturbation panic turned into a cottage industry. Parents were sold spiked rings, electrified belts, and even bed alarms designed to “prevent” their children from touching themselves. Entire medical pamphlets were written to scare people into buying them.

The Everything Disease: Doctors once blamed masturbation for epilepsy, baldness, tuberculosis, insanity, and more. It was the catch-all scapegoat for illnesses no one understood.

The Prostate Plot Twist: Modern science has flipped the script. Frequent ejaculation—including masturbation—is now linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer.

Sneezing Orgasms: And here’s a quirky one: some people sneeze after orgasm. That’s because nerves in the face and reproductive system sometimes cross-fire. A reminder that the human body is weirder than any myth.

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Why I’m Sharing This

Most people wouldn't share details like these, and I understand why. There's embarrassment, stigma, and the fear of being laughed at. I've decided the risk is worth it to me (with no judgment to those who feel otherwise). If telling this story reaches 5,000 people, then statistically it's likely at least one person - maybe more - will feel seen, seek help, and recover. For me, the cost of a few side looks or chuckles is worth the chance of helping someone else find their way forward.

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Closing Thoughts

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Always be as honest as you can with your health care professionals—even about the awkward stuff.
• If your doctors don’t understand you, find others. Don’t give up on yourself.

And remember: our bodies are entangled systems, full of strange feedback loops. My eyesight now depends not only on what I see but on what I do, what I feel, and yes, even how I sneeze.