[Trombone-l] Glaucoma

[Chris Waage]

This morning, my ophthalmologist diagnosed me with open-angle glaucoma.
Fortunately, we've caught it quite early and there's very small evidence of
damage and my eye pressure is 22, top of the "normal" scale.

After dealing with the mental stuff, I started researching and found a
20-year old article from the Chicago Musician's Union about glaucoma and
wind players.  Trumpet, oboe, and alto sax tend to create backpressure and
can frequently exacerbate glaucoma.

Does anyone out there have any first- or second-hand knowledge about
glaucoma and brass players, particularly trombonists?  I know that as a
bass trombonist, my instrument really has almost no back-pressure - dual
bore Edwards slide with the B3 leadpipe and dual inline Thayers with a
Giddings Chinook mouthpiece.  But since my doc probably has no info - I
didn't think to ask - I'm hoping to find some concrete information.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

-- 
*Chris Waage, DMA*
Staff Arranger and Assistant Conductor, Northland Cathedral, Kansas City,
Missouri
Music Director, Lexington Wind Symphony, Lexington, Missouri
Freelance teacher, clinician. and low brass artist