Eye pressure is something to closely monitor after the age of 40, as increased eye pressure is a sign of glaucoma, an eye condition that can lead to blindness. About half the people who have glaucoma don’t know they have it because it may be silent until they’ve lost a significant amount of vision. If you visit an ophthalmologist, they can measure your eye pressure and track it to make sure you’re not developing glaucoma. Measuring eye pressure is an essential part of any eye exam, as glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world.
Is there a link between weight training and glaucoma? A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology found that intraocular pressure rises right after doing a bench press exercise. That’s not surprising since you strain when you lift something heavy. The study also found that the increase in pressure behind the eye is greatest in people who hold their breath when they lift, another reason to breathe properly when you train.
