June 23, 2014 
Activities which increase eye pressure come with high risk for certain people…
Glaucoma occurs when the fluid which circulates continuously from the eye into the bloodstream stops flowing properly. It is this liquid which brings nutrients to the eye and maintains the pressure, but once it starts to gather it begins to press on the optic nerve, resulting in the extinction of nerve fibers, i.e., loss of vision. It seems as if nothing is happening. The eye looks the same as usual, there is no pain, and only a detailed examination can reveal the true condition of the eye. Once a person notices a reduced visual field, the optic nerve is already irreparably damaged!
If these people regularly conduct activities which increase intraocular pressure, their condition will get even worse. British eye surgeon in London Vision Clinic Dan Reinstein warns that lifting weights at the gym or playing wind instruments can lead to blindness in these people! “Blowers” are the most exposed ones to this risk because they strain themselves and maintain the pressure, which tightens the blood vessels in the chest, neck and head, and all this increases the pressure of the eye.
Similar warnings were issued by experts in the journal Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2011, when they found that the intraocular pressure in players of wind instruments significantly increases when playing high notes. The researchers from the Glasgow Caledonian University came to similar conclusions – they have confirmed that bagpipe players expose their eyes to “significant stress”. This news resounded in Scottish public with good results, because the Royal Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow instructed regular eye exams of their students.
“Glaucoma is a silent killer of vision, and it can get even worse with activities such as weight lifting or playing wind instruments. Individuals who belong to these groups need to know that they require proper screening and surveillance because spotting early signs can prevent significant damage to the eye,” explained Reinstein. People who have glaucoma in their families should also be cautious.
“It is crucial for people older than 40 years to get a detailed examination by an ophthalmologist, and not just to go through the routine check-up of eyesight at an optician, as on a treadmill,” Reinstein advised.
“Glaucoma is a name for a group of diseases that lead to the damage of the optic nerve and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 40. Glaucoma is not a disease but a syndrome characterized by damage to the optic nerve, with consequent changes in the visual field and temporary or permanent elevation of intraocular pressure. These symptoms occur gradually and are often not noticeable until the late stages of the disease. If left untreated, the disease can result in a complete loss of vision, which is why glaucoma is called “the insidious sight thief”. This is a very common disease and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. If the damage to the optic nerve and vision was already made, these changes are generally irreversible. The treatment can slow or stop the progress of the disease. To achieve this, it is necessary to get the diagnosis on time, “says an ophthalmologist Irena Škegro in her column on the portal Ordinacija.hr.
Taken from: www.ordinacija.hr