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Visual Complaints and Eye Problems in Orchestral Musicians
Henny Jm Beckers1, Marina Aw van Kooten-Noordzij, Ronald Mpc de Crom
1University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. Tel +31 43 387 53 42, fax +31 43 387 53 43. henny.beckers@mumc.nl.
Medical Problems of Performing Artists
|August 31, 2016
Summary
Visual complaints and eye diseases are common in orchestral musicians, affecting daily life and performance. Further research is needed to address these vision issues in musicians.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Music Medicine
Background:
- Orchestral musicians face unique visual demands.
- Understanding their visual health is crucial for performance and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of visual complaints and eye diseases among professional and amateur orchestral musicians in the Netherlands.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving a questionnaire distributed to members of symphony or wind orchestras.
- Data collected included demographics, musical and medical history, and current visual complaints or eye diseases.
Main Results:
- Most musicians require corrective lenses for playing.
- A significant percentage had visited an ophthalmologist, with some currently undergoing treatment.
- Common complaints included poor lighting, difficulty reading sheet music, blurred vision, and eye fatigue.
Conclusions:
- Visual complaints and eye problems appear prevalent in orchestral musicians.
- These findings highlight the need for further investigation and potential interventions in this population.
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