Researchers dsicover tight neckties 'could harm the eyes'

The Syndney Morning Herald ^ | July 30 2003 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Tight neckties 'could harm the eyes'

July 30 2003

Power-dressing businessmen could be increasing their risk of eye disease by wearing their tie too tight, research claims.

A study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, suggested that a tight tie constricted the jugular vein of the neck, which raised pressure in the veins and, in turn, increased pressure within the eyeball.

This increased the danger of the serious eye condition glaucoma, which can severely affect vision.

Researchers in New York tested the internal blood pressure of one eye in 20 healthy men and 20 male patients with glaucoma.

To compare the different effects on eye pressure, they tested the participants when they were wearing an open shirt collar, then three minutes after putting on a tie and then three minutes after loosening their ties.

They found that 60 per cent of the men with glaucoma and 70 per cent of the healthy men experienced an increase in internal eye blood pressure after wearing a tight tie for just three minutes.

In each case the ties was tightened around the buttoned collar "to the point of slight discomfort".

The researchers found no difference between the different groups before tie tightening and after loosening.

They noted that a raised internal eye blood pressure was the most important risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma.

The authors stated: "A tight necktie can be considered a risk factor in men who prefer to wear tight neckties, men with thick necks, and white collar professionals."

They also highlighted the problems of wearing a tie when going for an eye test where there was a risk it could lead to a false diagnosis of high eyeball pressure or even glaucoma itself.

"The pressure increase is indeed real, but would not have been present had the patient not had the constriction around his neck," the authors added.

They said that a looser neck tie or no tie at all would help when taking an eye test.

PA

[yankeedame]

I posted this b/c my husband suffered/suffers from the same thing.

Finally got so bad he went to the MD (which should tell you there how bad it had become) who told him to:

1) Keep the necktie as loose as possible without looking sloppy

2) Either a little or a lot, cotton and poly/cotton shirts do shrink, esp. around the neck. So no matter how good the shirt looks, if you can't comfortably slip a finger between the collar and the neck either throw the shirt away or wear it only with an open neck.

3) Cut back/ give up caffine.

4) Buy shirts that fit. This may involve going up a step to semi-custom made shirts. If the neck fits smoothly the rest of it will pretty much fall into place.

5) Start wearing v-neck t-shirts, and don't keep wearing them when they start to shrink.

[rontorr]

I have always considered ALL neckties as a curse. they cannot be comfortably worn, period. I usually get short of breath at he thought of wearing one of those torture devices, they should be banned as an infringement on the right of free breathing!(sarc) While working in a Hospital, I have had a severe neck injury from someone grabing it and pulling on it(not his fault, just a panic reaction from the pain an X-Ray tech will cause to a broken limb

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Here's a better idea - gravitate away from those useless POS things.

[theFIRMbss]

>The researchers found no difference between the different groups before tie tightening and after loosening...

I want to be part
of the group that will study
pearl necklaces...

[IYAS9YAS]

Ties are evil creatures.

[Caipirabob]

Ties are fun for semi formal occassions, but outside of that I consider them inhumane symbols of corporate bondage. Silk "chains" to signify one's acceptance of their corporate captivity.

Other than that, those "Garcias" are pretty nifty.

[yankeedame]

I want to be part of the group that will study pearl necklaces...

LOL! Me too! Me too!!

[Destro]

Why do we need neckties, anyway? They are a useless fashion attire.

[meyer]

Residing somewhere between blue and white collar, I've always theorized that wearing a tie cuts off the circulation to the brain and thus causes clouded thinking.

[goldstategop]

Women think every man looks dashing in a suit. <sigh

[reagan_fanatic]

"Now they tell me..."

[Destro]

suit I don't have a problem with--what function does the necktie serve --to hide the buttons? Catch the eye?

[rontorr]

I've always theorized that wearing a tie cuts off the circulation to the brain and thus causes clouded thinking.

__________________________________________________________

Exactly what I have always believed... and experienced. Is it just my imagination, or do most Politicians wear them?

[rontorr]

every man looks dashing in a suit... WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE A STRANGULATION DEVICE!!!