Can Weightlifting Cause Retinal Detachment? Expert Insights for High Myopia - Ophthalmology

Medical consultation

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Hello Dr.
Ko, regarding your response to the fourth point, I have the following inquiries:
Hello: Weightlifting should not cause retinal detachment.
According to the points: 1.
I also believe this.
2.
I agree.
3.
This is a more conservative statement.
4.
I think lifting dumbbells slowly will not lead to retinal detachment.
Any exercise, if done gently and without causing rapid movements of the eyeball or head, is less likely to induce vitreous movement and tension, thus reducing the risk of retinal detachment.
One physician mentioned that although there is currently no strong evidence proving that weightlifting causes retinal detachment, there have indeed been cases, possibly related to increased intraocular pressure during weightlifting or sudden exertion.
Therefore, friends with myopia over 600 degrees and aged 40 and above should avoid activities such as racing, intense amusement rides, running, and bungee jumping.
If there is a history of allergies, it should be well managed to avoid frequent forceful sneezing, and an annual retinal examination is recommended.

1.
The area of the retina that can be examined after dilation is larger.

2.
If you experience skin itching, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes due to temperature changes, poor air quality, or certain foods, it may indicate an allergic condition; it is best to consult an immunologist for details.

3.
Retinal detachment usually starts from a localized area, so initial symptoms often present as fixed shadows in a specific location, but severe detachment can lead to blindness.
Surgery is possible and covered by health insurance, although some materials may require out-of-pocket expenses, and the prognosis depends on the severity of the detachment before surgery.

4.
Even with gradual increases in weight, lifting a heavy object suddenly can still raise intraocular pressure and cause vitreous movement, especially since you have high myopia.

Another physician stated that generally, three conditions are required for retinal detachment: 1.
A hole in the retina, 2.
Vitreous liquefaction, 3.
Tension near the hole.
Individuals with high myopia are more prone to peripheral retinal degeneration, which increases the risk of retinal tears.
Therefore, some physicians are concerned that the Valsalva maneuver during weightlifting could cause tension on the peripheral retina, and vitreous liquefaction symptoms include floaters.

You currently do not have retinal tears.
Please regularly perform self-checks for both eyes, including: (1) Vision: Is your vision blurry? Are straight lines distorted? Are objects misshapen? (2) Visual field: While looking straight ahead, use peripheral vision to assess the visible range; is it consistent in both eyes? (3) Floaters: Are there any new black spots or threads in your vision? (4) Retinal traction: Do you see flashes or lightning? If you notice any of these abnormalities, please consult an ophthalmologist for further examination.

In summary, the answers to the above questions seem somewhat similar but not entirely the same.
Dr.
Ko, how should I interpret this? Thank you for your guidance.

I have a habit of lifting dumbbells, and I lift quite heavy weights.
I also have high myopia, approximately 600 degrees in one eye and over 700 degrees in the other, and I experience floaters.
I am unsure if weightlifting could cause retinal detachment.

1.
I have consulted for this, and the ophthalmologist at the clinic told me that weightlifting, straining the head, or sneezing does not cause retinal detachment.

2.
I recently went to Taipei United Clinic for a dilated examination, and the doctor said there was no retinal detachment, but there were signs of degeneration, which is common among individuals with high myopia like myself.
I also inquired about related issues, and the doctor mentioned similar cases.

3.
I have consulted other physicians as well, but they seem to lack a definitive answer, as this issue can vary based on individual constitution or body structure.
It is not necessarily the case that individuals with high myopia or floaters will experience retinal detachment from engaging in high-intensity exercises like dumbbell lifting; this is their conclusion.

4.
However, I have searched online for related articles, and some ophthalmologists' writings suggest that weightlifting can cause retinal detachment, which has left me confused.
After all, the opinions of the clinic doctor and the United Clinic doctor differ somewhat, so I am unsure how to view this issue.
I really enjoy lifting dumbbells and do so progressively, but I wonder if there is a more comprehensive and satisfactory explanation regarding this matter.

I would greatly appreciate your response, thank you, and I wish you peace and health.

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Zhu zhong yang sheng de ren, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2009/09/03