Ties, a Knot That's too Tight Increases the Risk of Glaucoma

A necktie knot that's too tight increases the risk of glaucoma. This was revealed in a study published by the British Council of Ophthalmology, according to which a tight necktie increases eye pressure, one of the risk factors of this disease that can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness. «A tight necktie increases intraocular pressure in normal subjects and in those affected by glaucoma», explained doctor Robert Ritch of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in the United States.

The outcome of the research is explained in detail in the British scientific journal. Ritch and his colleagues measured the intraocular pressure (Iop) of 20 healthy men and 20 men affected by glaucoma when wearing an open-necked shirt, when wearing a tight necktie, and three minutes after loosening it. The results showed that in 60% of the men with glaucoma and 70% of the healthy volunteers, pressure increased with the necktie.

As well as increasing the risk of glaucoma, wearing a tight necktie during an eye examination could lead to the disease being diagnosed incorrectly. Researchers suspect that the cause is to be sought in pressure on the jugular vein which increases blood pressure and intraocular pressure.