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Article from CBCNEWS
Weightlifting can cause a temporary rise in pressure within the eye that may increase the risk for a type of glaucoma, researchers say.
Glaucoma is a gradual disease of the optic nerve that may lead to loss of vision.
Brazilian researchers tested the intraocular (within the eye) pressure of 30 men with an average age of 26 with normal eye pressure.
Intraocular pressure rose in 90 per cent of the men when they held their breath while bench pressing, and 62 per cent when lifting the same amount without holding their breath.
A type of glaucoma called normal-tension glaucoma is more common in people who face frequent changes in eye pressure. It develops despite normal measurements during routine checks.
Dr. Geraldo Vieira of the Institute of Specialized Ophthalmology in Brasilia and his colleagues concluded prolonged weightlifting could be a potential risk factor in the development or progression of glaucoma.
"Intermittent intraocular pressure increases during weightlifting should be suspected in patients with normal-tension glaucoma who perform such exercises," the researchers wrote in the September issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
"Patients with normal-tension glaucoma should be questioned as to a history of regular weightlifting."
Short-term effect
The men were only studied once so it is not clear if they later developed glaucoma.
Higher intraocular pressure has also been reported from straining during coughing, vomiting and playing wind instruments when air is forced against a closed windpipe and pressure increases in the chest.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology noted the intraocular pressure changes are short-term effects. Since glaucoma takes a long time to develop, the minor pressure changes may not cause damage in healthy people.
Ultimately, intraocular pressure actually decreases after a person exercises, even if that exercise is weightlifting
Weightlifting can cause a temporary rise in pressure within the eye that may increase the risk for a type of glaucoma, researchers say.
Glaucoma is a gradual disease of the optic nerve that may lead to loss of vision.
Brazilian researchers tested the intraocular (within the eye) pressure of 30 men with an average age of 26 with normal eye pressure.
Intraocular pressure rose in 90 per cent of the men when they held their breath while bench pressing, and 62 per cent when lifting the same amount without holding their breath.
A type of glaucoma called normal-tension glaucoma is more common in people who face frequent changes in eye pressure. It develops despite normal measurements during routine checks.
Dr. Geraldo Vieira of the Institute of Specialized Ophthalmology in Brasilia and his colleagues concluded prolonged weightlifting could be a potential risk factor in the development or progression of glaucoma.
"Intermittent intraocular pressure increases during weightlifting should be suspected in patients with normal-tension glaucoma who perform such exercises," the researchers wrote in the September issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
"Patients with normal-tension glaucoma should be questioned as to a history of regular weightlifting."
Short-term effect
The men were only studied once so it is not clear if they later developed glaucoma.
Higher intraocular pressure has also been reported from straining during coughing, vomiting and playing wind instruments when air is forced against a closed windpipe and pressure increases in the chest.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology noted the intraocular pressure changes are short-term effects. Since glaucoma takes a long time to develop, the minor pressure changes may not cause damage in healthy people.
Ultimately, intraocular pressure actually decreases after a person exercises, even if that exercise is weightlifting
