[Dixielandjazz] brass & eyesight

[RoddyTpt at aol.com]

This is from my upcoming book 4....
 
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76.  Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) 
Glaucoma 
¨           Symptoms  can be difficult to detect until too late, damage may 
be by then  irreversible. 
¨           The  onset of Glaucoma is brought about and made worse by 
increased levels of IOP  (pressure within the eyeball)  
¨           Glaucoma  is the most common cause of blindness in 
African-Americans.  
¨           Changes  are usually in both eyes although they may progress at 
different rates.  
¨           Peripheral  vision is impaired first, followed by loss of central 
vision in the late stages.  
Risk  factors for GLAUCOMA may include the following: 
¨           Elevated  IOP ,  
¨           Age  (older = higher risk),  
¨           African-American  race,  
¨           Heredity  (positive family history for glaucoma),  
¨           Myopia  (near-sightedness),  
¨           Over  use of steroid medications,  
¨           Systemic  Hypertension  
¨           Diabetes  Mellitus.  
The  only modifiable risk factor from above of GLAUCOMA, is that of an 
elevated IOP,  and all treatments work towards reducing this. 
Periodic  examinations by an ophthalmologist are highly recommended, during  
which: 
¨           IOP  will be measured,  
¨           Visual  fields evaluated,  
¨           Optic  nerves assessed.  
A  complete eye exam by 40 yrs of age, then repeated exams every 2 to 4 years 
until  age 65, with exams every 1 to 2 years thereafter. If you have any of 
the risk  factors listed above, screening earlier and at more frequent 
intervals obviously  may be better or more effective at prevention.  
Treatments  for glaucoma include: 
¨           Eyedrops,  
¨           Pills,  
¨           Laser  surgery,  
¨           Eye  surgery,  
¨           or  a combination of these above.....  
Research  is minimal regarding the question of whether or not wind instrument 
playing  raises IOP. 
IOP  and other parameters for glaucoma have been assessed in trumpet, oboe, 
clarinet  and saxophone players.  
IOP  elevation was seen in players proportionate to the force of blowing, and 
trends  were greater with the trumpet and oboe than with the clarinet and 
saxophone.   
It  may be a case of repeated Valsalva's maneuvers, or the use of bigger  
diaphragmatic back pressure.  
Observation  concluded that IOP tends to rise slightly with playing, 
especially high  resistance wind instruments, and long-term visual field changes of a 
small but  significant magnitude occur with the increased LIFETIME exposure to 
high  resistance playing.  
Speculation  is that cumulative effects of repetitive intermittent IOP 
elevations MAY result  in glaucoma damage. Regular screening is essential!  
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Regards...
 
 
RODDY    o-iii<O   

"E M B O U C H U  R E ____E N H A N C E M E N T"

[Self Analysis / Diagnostic Methods  for Trumpet Advancement]

BOOK 1 (200 Pages of text)
BOOK 2 (Tests  notated + play-along CD)
BOOK 3 (Low register analysis)

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