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Stunt Could Leave Magician Blind, Doc Says

60-hours upside-down could endanger Blaine's sight

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 22, 2008 9:32 AM CDT
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(AP) – When David Blaine hangs upside-down above New York's Central Park for 60 hours next week, he'll run the risk of going blind, says a vascular surgeon advising the celebrity magician on the stunt. Lengthy inversion increases blood pressure in the head, especially in the eyes, which can result in blindness, Massimo Napolitano tells the Bergen Record.

"This is very intriguing from a scientific point of view," says Napolitano. "There could be some helpful physiological information gained from this."

David Blaine may go blind when he hangs upside down above NYC's central Park next week.
David Blaine may go blind when he hangs upside down above NYC's central Park next week.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
David Blaine will hang upside down above New York City's Central Park for 60 hours next week.
David Blaine will hang upside down above New York City's Central Park for 60 hours next week.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, file)
David Blaine is shown inside a sphere where he set a new world record for breath-holding, Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at 17 minutes and 4.4 seconds, during a live telecast of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
David Blaine is shown inside a sphere where he set a new world record for breath-holding, Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at 17 minutes and 4.4 seconds, during a live telecast of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."   (AP Photo/Harpo Productions, Inc., George Burns)
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New York City • world record • blindness • stunts • David Blaine • Massimo Napolitano

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