Training at Lower RPE to reduce the risk of retinal tears

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Can you make decent progress at RPE 7?

I’ve had two retinal detachments and have been advised by my ophthalmologist to avoid valsalva. That said, it was a mild advisement and he clearly does not understand the risk/reward aspect of barbell training. Without good science I am left to my own intuition - as in, it makes intuitive sense that a significant increases in intraocular pressure may increase the risk of retinal tears.

Given that you are not ophthalmologists I am trying to frame my question here to be within your expertise. That is, can I derive the benefits of barbell training without significant increases in intraocular pressure? I’d have to experiment with RPE to find a threshold that makes intuitive sense but for now, RPE 7 seems like a good starting point.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have on this.

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2

On average, I would expect a person to progress just fine training @7, assuming that overall volume is appropriate.

I do not know what actual impact this might have on the risk of retinal tears, however.