Medical - Cataract Surgery and Tuba Playing

bill · Post by **bill** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:34 pm

May I ask for the group to offer their experiences with cataract surgery and tuba playing?

I have been told by a cataract surgeon that I should wait at least 4 days after surgery before trying to play again. The reason he says this is that until my eye has healed for 4 days I shouldn't put "that much pressure on my eye that tuba playing will cause." Has anyone had this experience? Does anyone know if tuba playing puts pressure on the eyes? I have never thought it did and can not imagine that it does in such a way I would not feel it.

I would appreciate any experience you might share with me.

IOS · Post by **IOS** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:39 pm

My surgeon suggested that I wait a day. I waited two and experienced no complications.

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:55 pm

Hmm...

I wouldn't worry too much about pressure to the optic nerve/cavity, especially if you keep the playing light--nothing loud, nothing super high.

But what about residual vibration? You know--that same effect you get by staring at a digital clock or computer screen while playing lower notes? I wonder what that may do?

Just take it easy, whatever you do. I don't think many eye surgeons (or any surgeons, for that matter) have put a great deal of study as to what effect playing a brass instrument may have on recovery... Its worth being cautious!

contra bugle · Post by **contra bugle** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:55 pm

When you push air out, you compress everything above the diaphragm: Lung: air goes out, more pressure, more air out. Heart too: your blood pressure is raised. So everything near a blood vessel or "air vessel" (throat, sinuses, etc. etc.) feels the increased pressure. Eyes too. You probably don't want to "squeeze" your eyes like this while you're healing. You could probably play quietly, but is it worth the risk???????

John Caves · Post by **John Caves** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:34 pm

I agree with Contra'. I had cataract surgery with a plastic lense replacement in 2004; the surgeon suggested waiting two weeks before playing again. I followed the doc's orders and didn't have a problem. The worst part about the whole experience was trying to see and read with one fixed and one unfixed eye with glasses. Taking out a lense in the glasses helped, but it was still a pain. All is good now.

John Caves · Post by **John Caves** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:36 pm

Forgot to say "Good Luck". We'll be pulling for you.

brianggilbert · Post by **brianggilbert** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:48 pm

Maybe get a 2nd opinion, but for God's sake -please err on the side of caution! It's not worth the risk of permanent damage.

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:01 am

John Caves wrote:I agree with Contra'. I had cataract surgery with a plastic lense replacement in 2004; the surgeon suggested waiting two weeks before playing again. I followed the doc's orders and didn't have a problem. The worst part about the whole experience was trying to see and read with one fixed and one unfixed eye with glasses. Taking out a lense in the glasses helped, but it was still a pain. All is good now.

They just took my grandma's glasses and cut them in half

.

I don't know what they told her for precautions but I know she took t easy and has had absoloutly no complications. She says that it's working great and she is glad she got it done. Good Luck, let us know how it goes!

Slamson · Post by **Slamson** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:46 am

Anyone who has practiced in front of a TV should know that playing does affect your eyes. Years ago I was arrogant enough to think that when I played my incredible projection caused the TV screen to vibrate, until I said to my wife "check this out when I play a D-flat!", to which she replied "so what"?

In checking with my eye doctor (in a casual conversation after recovering from a corneal ulcer), he said that playing can do two things: create abnormal pressure, and also sympathetically vibrate the aqueous and vitrious humors of the eye. Normally, it's not a problem (personally, I think it's good to shake things up in there), but of course anything that's overdone can be damaging. I can certainly see how playing after cataract surgery (or lasik surgery) could "blow the lid off" of the corneal flap they make to get in there.

jeopardymaster · Post by **jeopardymaster** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:00 am

I had cataracts in both eyes, and had surgery last November to remove them, right on Monday and left on Wednesday. I didn't touch a horn for a week after, although the doc said it should be OK in a couple of days. But I had scheduled it all far in advance for a week where I had no playing conflicts, and kept it that way, although it wasn't easy.

Some things are worth some risk - if you're talking about an IRA or stealing second base. Not when it comes to your eyes.

Good luck with it, and be assiduous with the eyedrops.

bill · Post by **bill** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:39 pm

Thanks to everyone for your input. You have given me the information and experience I was seeking. And thank you for your good wishes. I am probably going to arrange to take a week off in June and get one eye done.

stufarris · Post by **stufarris** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:40 pm

Hi Bill,

I'm an ophthalmologist and try to play tuba in my spare time. With cataract surgery what it is these days, I think you will be safe playing within a week or so from your surgery, assuming that all goes well. Will you be getting the newer generation lens that will focus up close as well as at distance? Good luck!

TubeNet