Intraocular Pressure Changes In Trumpet Players.

Oijective: This study examines the intraocular pressure (lOP) changes that occur during trumpet playing.
Methods: In a prospective, non-randomized clinical trial, 28 eyes of 28 trumpet players were evaluated. lOP was measured using the Mentor Tono-Pen XL applanation tonometer in subjects before, during, and after trumpet playing.
Results: The lOP values during play (mean=26.32mmHg±7.39) were significantly higher than the baseline lOP values (mean=15.96mmHg±4.96), t(1,27)=-9.237, p<0.0001. The lOP values during play were also significantly higher than the resting lOP values following play (mean=15.50mmHg±4.28), t(1,27)=10.122, p<0.0001. The baseline lOP values did not differ significantly from the resting lOP values, t(1,27)=0.836, p=0.410.
Conclusion: lOP increases significantly in musicians while playing the trumpet. Patients with glaucomatous optic nerve damage and visual field loss who play high resistance wind instruments could be at increased risk for further damage from this intermittent increase in lOP regardless of average lOP control as measured in office.