Chronic Dry Eyes and CPAP

I’m still waiting for my sleep study however I absolutely know I have SA just not sure to what degree, yet. I’m seriously trying to educate myself so I’ll know what kinds of questions I need to ask and what other options I may have. I have a question, now and I would really like some feedback from anyone who may have the same issue.

I have a history of chronic dry eyes. I've been dealing with this issue for over 10yrs. The eye doctors have explained to me that my situation is advanced and serious. My eyes apparently have developed scar tissue and if it continues it will impair my vision. Yes, I've used just about every kind of eye drops made and as of late, I should have stock in the company that makes “Systane” Lubricant eye drops. I usually buy these 4-6 bottles at a time and always have a bottle with me.

I've read several posts mentioning air leaks drying eyes and air coming through tear ducks. This scares me because I know I will not be able to tolerate it. My dry eyes can be debilitating & very, very painful. I can’t even sleep under a ceiling fan or sit in a chair with a ceiling fan overhead. If even a slight wind is blowing outside, I must wear protective sunglasses to block the wind and riding in a car, I definitely cannot have an air conditioning vent blowing in my direction. Has anyone dealt with this type of issue and can it be managed or resolved?

Thanks,
Taz

Not everyone has the tear duct to eye air problem. I don't. I use a nasal pillow mask and high pressures and no air leaks into my eyes via the tear ducts at all. So don't assume that everyone has this particular issue because it isn't a given that everyone has it. It's not all that common at all.

Now mask leaks where the mask goes up over the nose somewhere...that could of course allow the leak to blow air into the eye area. It's a common enough issue with any mask that fits up over the nasal bridge area especially with full face masks.

If you can normally breathe through your nose just fine during the day then I would suggest you look at the nasal pillow masks because they don't touch that nasal bridge area and thus eliminates that potential leaking area.

If you do end up being one of the few who do have an open direct line from your nasal passages to your eyes via the ducts...cross that bridge if you need to.

I like these Onyix goggles for dry eye protection, they are not cheap but they are definitely worth it. These goggles are good for blocking out morning light too. They also take a few days to get used to, but if anything, they retain an amazing amount of moisture in the eyes:

http://www.dryeyeshop.com/onyix-p327.aspx

I wish they made the Onyix goggles in a small--or at least with an adjustable center link.
As it is, I have been wearing swim goggles with my Wisp mask and having great success.
I punched holes in the outside upper corners to prevent a vacuum.
I do not need to wear goggles with nasal pillows.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:I like these Onyix goggles for dry eye protection, they are not cheap but they are definitely worth it. These goggles are good for blocking out morning light too. They also take a few days to get used to, but if anything, they retain an amazing amount of moisture in the eyes:

http://www.dryeyeshop.com/onyix-p327.aspx

Sir NoddinOff,

Thanks so much for this website. I thought I knew about every dry eye product out there but this was new to me. I will definitely consider the Onyix goggles and I'm also looking into some of there other products.

Taz

Pugsy wrote:Not everyone has the tear duct to eye air problem. I don't. I use a nasal pillow mask and high pressures and no air leaks into my eyes via the tear ducts at all. So don't assume that everyone has this particular issue because it isn't a given that everyone has it. It's not all that common at all.

Now mask leaks where the mask goes up over the nose somewhere...that could of course allow the leak to blow air into the eye area. It's a common enough issue with any mask that fits up over the nasal bridge area especially with full face masks.

If you can normally breathe through your nose just fine during the day then I would suggest you look at the nasal pillow masks because they don't touch that nasal bridge area and thus eliminates that potential leaking area.

If you do end up being one of the few who do have an open direct line from your nasal passages to your eyes via the ducts...cross that bridge if you need to.

Pugsy,

Thanks for the info. ......I'm taking notes.

Taz

Each person's mask fit is different, but I would highly recommend the new AirFit P10 mask as a good mask to start with. Pugsy is right, a nasal pillows mask would be best with your eye history. I had some problems with corneal abrasions when I started CPAP 14 years ago. I was using a nasal mask that allowed air to blow into the corners of my eyes. Since you know starting out you have dry eye issues, the P10 or other nasal pillow masks would be best to begin with. Just remember when you meet with your DME that you want 'nasal pillows' so they won't steer you towards something else.

I also want to compliment you on getting ready up front by posting here for help with this & other questions. You will have a jump start on your therapy by being well informed.

I use a nasal cushion, so it goes over my nose. I also suffer from dry eyes and get NO air leak from the mask to my eyes. I couldn't tolerate it either. So, leak from the mask you should be able to control.

I had a severe case of dry eye syndrome several years ago because my mask was leaking air during the night blowing air into my eyes. My ophthalmologist put me on Restasis 0.05% eye drops after I was tested to see if I had the dry eye problem or not. The recent pollen outbreak here did not cause my eyes any problems. Restasis 0.05% eye drops which are pricey for those who might have to pay for them I will have to say are very good.



Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
04/20/14

Thanks for all the info on various masks. I'm making notes and will take each into consideration.

Stevoreno_55 wrote:I had a severe case of dry eye syndrome several years ago because my mask was leaking air during the night blowing air into my eyes. My ophthalmologist put me on Restasis 0.05% eye drops after I was tested to see if I had the dry eye problem or not. The recent pollen outbreak here did not cause my eyes any problems. Restasis 0.05% eye drops which are pricey for those who might have to pay for them I will have to say are very good.



Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
04/20/14

Hi Stevoreno,

I've already tried & failed with Restatis. Restatis just made my eyes water very badly, looked like I was crying, all the time. The eye doc concluded that my eyes produced enough tears but the quality was too poor to keep my eyes lubricated. I've had collagen plugs put in my tear ducts several times however the benefits are very short lived, 7-10 days, at the most.

Taz

Taz wrote:Thanks for all the info on various masks. I'm making notes and will take each into consideration.

Stevoreno_55 wrote:I had a severe case of dry eye syndrome several years ago because my mask was leaking air during the night blowing air into my eyes. My ophthalmologist put me on Restasis 0.05% eye drops after I was tested to see if I had the dry eye problem or not. The recent pollen outbreak here did not cause my eyes any problems. Restasis 0.05% eye drops which are pricey for those who might have to pay for them I will have to say are very good.



Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
04/20/14

Hi Stevoreno,

I've already tried & failed with Restatis. Restatis just made my eyes water very badly, looked like I was crying, all the time. The eye doc concluded that my eyes produced enough tears but the quality was too poor to keep my eyes lubricated. I've had collagen plugs put in my tear ducts several times however the benefits are very short lived, 7-10 days, at the most.

Taz

Sorry to hear that so has your doctor got you on something that works? Later.



Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
04/21/14

Taz,

Has your opthomologist tried tear drop plugs? I have them & no longer have any dry eye problems. Since you've been dealing with this so long, you may have already tried them. For me, just the lower plugs worked fine. Started with uppers & lowers, teared too much, so he removed the uppers. I know dry eyes can be miserable. I wear contacts & until the dry eyes were 'fixed' with the plugs, I carried a bottle of Systane everywhere I went. Kept a bottle on my desk at work, in my purse, in my car...well you get the picture.

I have mild dry eyes. I tried Restatis ... burned like crazy so doctor said to stop them. Now I use Systane... when I remember.

I use the Airfit P10 - no air going into eyes at all. Another one is the Swift FX, as well as the Nano. Don't remb a prob with either one of those.