 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: george
Date: 2003-07-03 01:18
Following cataract surgery and a soon to come vitrectomy, my surgeons gave me the usual don'ts: no heavy lifting, straining, etc., for a couple of weeks. When I asked him about playing my horn, he clearly didn't know, but said not to play for two weeks. When I looked pained at this prohibition, he said, well don't play for one week, reinforcing my feeling that he didn't really know and was just playing it safe. My question: does anyone out there know? Experience? Any eye surgeons out there who might know if there's any problem playing a wind instrument immediately following eye surgery?
Thanks.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-03 01:38
I think that at least 2 weeks break would be a good idea. Playing any wind instrument puts reasonably unnatural strain on the head especially inside. The pressure probably would effect the eyes as much as lifting. Don't risk it.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-07-03 03:11
I've been dealing with the same issues, and avoiding my cataract surgery as a result. The first doctor said, "Don't play for a month." I said, "WHAT?"
I teach and perform at least every 2 weeks...I can't take a month off...but my current ophthalmologist says to wait two weeks. She also said I could come in and play my clarinet and they could take a measure of my eye pressure to see what might result, and consequently, what advice she'd give. But like you said, without this sort of empiric evidence, they don't really have a whole lot of knowledge!
Since I'm also diabetic and don't want any retinal problems, I think that when I am more comfortable with the idea of ANYONE touching my eye, I think I'll take her up on that.
Best of luck,
Katrina
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-07-03 03:26
george,
I can't recall where, but I read somewhere that trumpet players were at risk of optic nerve damage from the pressure that playing creates in their eyes. Playing clarinet may not be as much of a strain, but it is surely safer to avoid it under the circumstances. A few weeks layoff versus a lifetime of diminished or damaged eyesight? As Mark said - don't risk it.
Katrina,
If you are worried about having your eyes touched to read the pressure, you need not be. The doctor uses anesthetic drops so that you won't feel a thing; at least my ophthalmologist does. Because I have a family history of glaucoma, I have had mine checked annually for over 20 years and it is really not a problem.
Hans
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Author: Karel
Date: 2003-07-03 05:51
The only certain way your ophthalmologist could be categorical with his answer is if he had allowed a number of patients to play a clarinet 1 day. 2 days 3 days and so on after surgery, and recorded the incidence of complications. He would also have been sued by a large number of patients for giving the wrong advice, therefore he is playing safe with your eye and has given you a sensible, conservative estimate. Your clarinet blowing increases the pressure in the veins draining your eyes and your head in much the same way as heavy lifting and straining, hence the blanket advice. I think you should follow it. (Disclaimer - I am only a GP)
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-07-03 13:28
Is there really an acceptable margin of safety to protect your eyesight?
I present this point of view with what I consider to be your best intersts at heart, so do not take offense at my comments. And I am not a doctor nor do I work in the medical field, but have people observe their doctors' advice varying degrees and the ensuing varying results.
Please put some perspective on this. What is your eyesight worth? Every patient is different and their recoveries are different. It is difficult to judge just how these differences will play out. No doctor can tell you without a significant degree of uncertainty that playing your clarinet within 1 week will hurt you and playing within 3 weeks will not.
One diabetic friend has had significant problems with his eyes, but continues to push the envelope, and the results are not good. On the other hand, I have a cousin who was laid up flat on his back for 4 weeks after eye surgery, followed his doctors' instructions to the letter, was completely miserable, and made a complete recovery.
We all love music and our instruments, but this can approach compulsive and addictive behavior. Just think how life could be if you push things and compromise your eyesight.
Regards,
Ralph
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-07-03 15:07
Many of the above comments and in partic. Ralph K's, are well worth taking to heart, since "sight" is a VERY important sense. I had cataract surgery on both eyes, several years ago, but received no warnings, but, as I recall, did take some care, but didn't pause in playing, bass cl and sop, and sax. I have been "seeing" the signs of macular degeneration, [am now 84] and my optham. confirmed it recently, saying there is no cure, just slowing it's progression by large doses of vitamin-zinc etc combinations [AREDS formula]. So far it "hasn't hurt my playing" in comm. bands and churches, but I find I need more illumination than earlier, and my night driving is a greater challenge, may have to give it up! If any optham's wish to reply, I'll welcome 2nd+ opinions. Take care of them eyes!! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-07-03 16:08
Perhaps a little research to see if another ophthalmologist has experience in or has evaluated the issue? Seems likely one of the big university med schools close to a performance center (Univ of Chicago, NYU, UCLA, etc.) would have given it some thought at one point.
Particularly for those with diabetes, do a little reading on Robert Marcellus.
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2003-07-03 18:03
Best of luck on the vitrectomy--2 close friends of mine have had it in the last 3 years. I assume you've got a detached retina. I hope that the operation does the trick. jbjr
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-07-03 19:34
Yes, George, et al, our best wishes for good advice, surgery and recovery. A close friend had this "face-down-for-a-brighter-future" procedure, by a specialist in Tulsa, OK, it changed his life for several weeks, but he is doing well, back to usual life!! The above quote is from info available via Google search for "vitrectomy". Makes slow M D seem minor now, some info is searchable here also , may need more! Hang in there! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-07-04 06:42
http://www.stlukeseye.com/Surgical/Vitrectomy.asp
George - best wishes for a speedy recovery buddy.
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2003-07-04 07:20
One of my friends had eye surgery a couple of years ago. Her opthamologist told her to take a semester off. She ahd a detached retina and he said that playing could cause some problems. I believe she took a month off and then slowly got back into it. She has had no problems since, but each individual is different. Good luck!
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Author: steve anderson
Date: 2003-07-04 14:16
All I can tell you is that when I play my bass clarinet, especially down low, my eyeballs vibrate. I don't notice it when I play my soprano clarinet, but it might just be going on below the limit of detection. And just because something is undetectable, doesn't mean it isn't bad for you. I would guess that the amount of vibration transmitted to the eyes could be an instrument- and player-specific thing, but why take the chance? If I were having eye surgery, I'd do what the doctor said. It's only two weeks.
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Author: george
Date: 2003-07-04 16:57
Many, many thanks to all for the sensible advice and especially the good wishes. My catarct surgery was two days ago and the vitrectomy is needed because of complications from this. It's to be in about a week--thanks to all the advice, I'll stay away from the clarinet until the surgeon says my eye has completely healed.
George
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Author: yo_dude24
Date: 2003-07-04 19:48
if worse comes to worse play and see if your eye blows up!
I'm just sittin here watchin' the wheels go round round....i really love to watch them roll
* John Lennon
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