Detached retina and weights

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi Jordan and Austin, I would like to ask if you know of any adverse effects of weightlifting in people with eye issues.

I had a detached retina in my right eye 20 years ago, which was neatly fixed by laser surgery. I have about 80% vision in that eye, but occasionally get little ‘halo’ obstructions - in my opinion caused by stress. Luckily the left eye is good and does all the ‘heavy lifting’.

Every 6 months I go for an eye test and the advice I always get, especially last year when I had a quick photocoagulation, is not to do any lifting, by which they mean carrying the shopping. I live in Italy and the doctors here are generally not in favour of doing weights anyway, but they seem particularly insistent when it comes to stressing the eyeball.

I’d like to ask if you know of any reason why lifting weights - and I don’t do anything over 40Kg (I know, a beginner) - should affect my eyes. Or is it just another of the old wives’ tale? I would appreciate your advice

Julian

2

Hi,

We do get these questions from time to time, but unfortunately do not have sufficient training/experience to provide confident recommendations in the realm of ophthalmology.

In general, we try to view these things as: what is the potential risk we’re looking at, and is there any actual evidence to support it, or is it entirely hypothetical? Compared with the lifelong risks of NOT strength training, which can be potentially significant as well. Most subspecialist clinicians tend to view things exclusively through the lens of “their organ”, rather than this bigger picture view.

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