Weightlifting may turn your flab into muscle, but may also lead to the debilitating eye condition glaucoma, especially if you hold your breath during exercising.

Dr. Geraldo Magela Vieira, an eye specialist with Catholic University's Institute of Specialized Ophthalmology in Brazil, says lifting weights may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure, with the highest  coming during breath-holding periods somewhere in the repetitions.

Glaucoma, common in people who undergo increased eye pressure, is a group of eye diseases that, if left untreated, damages the optic nerve and gradually leads to blindness. Experts believe the condition affects more than 3 million Americans, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

Although increased pressure is a major risk factor, people with normal pressure also can get glaucoma. Although there is no cure for glaucoma, the condition can be slowed through medication or surgery.

Forced air, closed windpipe

Meanwhile, Vieira says pressure within the eyeball, called "intraocular pressure," usually decreases after aerobic activity, such as running and biking, and during non-aerobic weightlifting.

However, in his research, Vieira found higher intraocular pressure among weightlifters during the "Valsalva maneuver," in which they held their breaths, forcing air against a closed windpipe and increasing pressure in the chest.

This action occurs during coughing, vomiting, playing wind instruments - and sometimes weightlifting.

Vieira's research team measured eyeball pressure during weightlifting in 30 men 18 to 40. All had normal eye pressure and no signs of glaucoma.

During the study, they performed four repetitions of a bench press, and averaged pressing 145 pounds. During the exercises, they had their eyeball pressure measured when they were breathing, and then holding their breaths for about eight seconds.

According to the results, eyeball pressure increased in 62 percent of the men when they didn't hold their breath to 90 percent of the weightlifters when they did hold their breath.

More study needed

Vieira says he believes even higher pressure in some repetitions may be due to greater chest pressure caused by the air retained in the lungs when participants held their breath.

But he cautioned that the men were only studied once, so the study doesn't prove that a rise in intraocular pressure raises your risk of glaucoma if you lift weights, Vieira says.

He adds his team is conducting further research to establish any definite links between glaucoma and weightlifting.

The study appears in September's Archives of Ophthalmology.

David Wright, chief executive of the United Kingdom's International Glaucoma Association, says weightlifting was likely to pose a small risk for people who were vulnerable to the condition.

"Any fluctuation in pressure within the eye can cause problems," he says. "The optic nerve tolerates steady pressure much better than it tolerates fluctuating pressure."

This article includes information from the BBC.

For more information

•  Glaucoma Research Foundation

•  International Glaucoma Association

•  Weight Training: Do's and Don't of Proper Technique

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association and Archives Journals
Reference: Archives of Ophthalmology

This summary by Nubella News is a snapshot of larger, more detailed studies and/or research projects. Nubella News encourages all site visitors and readers interested in understanding the material contained within this article at a more detailed level, to perform additional research and investigation into the article topics, references, and any links provided within the material. Nubella News does not intend to offer medical advice. We recommend that all readers ask their doctor or medical professional for additional advice, guidance, and/or recommendations pertaining to this article.

sildenafil citrate india viagra problems buy online securely viagra tramadol india buy viagra without prescription