Re: [Harp-L] Harp playing and glaucoma risk

[Emile Damico <oatss_oatflakes@xxxxxxxxx>]

I've been playing for many years and have type2 diabetes and at risk for eye damage.
I had a full eye exam at Wills Eye hospital in Philadelphia. The prognoses was
your eyes in excellent  health. The exam took several hours. This is a teaching 
hospital so they are even more thorough than needed.

Diggs

--- On Wed, 12/17/08, charfaron@xxxxxxxxxxx <charfaron@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: charfaron@xxxxxxxxxxx <charfaron@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Harp playing and glaucoma risk
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 11:34 PM

Just came across an article in a well respected publication that states that
playing a wind instrument such as the harp  (along with swimming, yoga and
weight training) can cause marked elevations in one's intra-ocular pressure.
These  variations or spikes in eye pressure may cause glaucomatous damage to the
optic nerve.  The mechanism for this is the forcible exertion of effort while
maintaining breath called the Valsalva maneuver. So it may be a good idea for
players who have glaucoma or are at a risk for it to mention your playing to
your doctor.
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