Large increase in floaters

[Jakey777]

I posted a question back in May concerning exercise and Myopic degeneration.  The question was can exercises such as jump roping, jumping jacks and pushups increase the chances of further bleeding.  The answer I received was it is very unlikly.  Since May things have been well until yesterday when I notice a very large floater and a "screen" of tiny black specs in my field of vision. Since it was a Saturday I ended up a Wills eye in Philadelphia.  The doctor there said a large floater had broken off but it had not affected my retina in any way.  He said to follow up with my Retinologist in a week and to avoid "head jarring".  When I said I was involved in Taekwondo but never sparred or received a direct blow to the head the Dr. hesitated but said he would allow Taekwondo under those circumstances.  
Well it brings up the question again.  What kind of head "jarring" will actually cause problems.  Do you think something like kicking a pad or punching targets along with jumping jacks, pushups and jogging around a gym will increase the chances of floaters within the eye or increase the chance of retinal detachment?  I hate to ask again but it is very frustrating.  One other note is that the floater formed after I had been experiencing some flashing when moving my eye from left to right which by the way is still occurring.
Again any advice you can provide will be appreciated.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Please call your doc at Will's Eye Hospital - a world class eye hospital.  Yes, the activities you mention can increase floater and detachment risk to some degree which I can't exactly quantify - but you can't stop living your life.  Talk to your personal doctor to discuss your specific findings and come up with a risk/benefit analysis and try to determine your risk. If you were my patient I would say avoid getting hit in the face or head and go very easy with the the pushups or avoid them altogether.  Running, jogging, biking, easy weight lifting are OK.  Martial Arts may be OK if taking it easy - not if vigorous with risk of blows to head or knockdowns.  I think you know the answer to your own question.

MJK MD

[paulm999]

Teddy Roosevelt was extremely myopic. During his first year as President he had a boxing match in the White House with a naval officer. Shorting afterward, his retina in his left eye detached and left him blind in that eye for the rest of his life.

[Jakey777]

Thank you very much for your response.  Your last sentence was very interesting.  My gut feeling is that I should stop the Taekwondo and concentrate on exercises and activities that would have very little effect on my eyes.  I just started Taekwon 4 months ago and take lessons with my son and love it, but I cannot risk further problems if there is a chance the training is affecting my eyes. I guess I was looking for someone to say stop.  I am suprised that running would be OK.  That being the case I my go back to Tennis.  Something I was very involved with years ago or maybe swimming. With goggles of course.  
Thanks again for your advice.