Possible fix for air leaks blowing into eyes

Maybe someone has already suggested this.
I use a full mask (nose + mouth) and have often suffered with air leaks from the bridge of the nose blowing air into my eyes. I tried various silicone cushions etc with no success. Last night was a bad night with leaks and even loud squeaks. At about 4 a.m. I thought of a possible solution. I got a piece of cling film (saran wrap) about 6inches long x 3inches wide and, before putting my mask on, put it over the rubber seal of my mask where it contacts the nose; I pressed the overlap of the film protruding into the mask back to cover the rubber seal and then put the mask on. After turning my machine on I pressed the overlap of the film protruding from the mask back against the rubber seal. This seemed to cure the leak or maybe, at least, stopped it blowing into my eyes.
I don't know if there are any long term consequences of using this fix.
Hope this helps - it might even help with other leaks lower down the mask.
Good luck

gobbion wrote:Maybe someone has already suggested this.
I use a full mask (nose + mouth) and have often suffered with air leaks from the bridge of the nose blowing air into my eyes. I tried various silicone cushions etc with no success. Last night was a bad night with leaks and even loud squeaks. At about 4 a.m. I thought of a possible solution. I got a piece of cling film (saran wrap) about 6inches long x 3inches wide and, before putting my mask on, put it over the rubber seal of my mask where it contacts the nose; I pressed the overlap of the film protruding into the mask back to cover the rubber seal and then put the mask on. After turning my machine on I pressed the overlap of the film protruding from the mask back against the rubber seal. This seemed to cure the leak or maybe, at least, stopped it blowing into my eyes.
I don't know if there are any long term consequences of using this fix.
Hope this helps - it might even help with other leaks lower down the mask.
Good luck

When I first starting using cpap, I was having leaks into my eyes. I was told that the mask was too high on my nose. But lowering it just a little bit, the leaks were gone.

Hello,
I've been on CPAP/BIPAP for many years. I know that positioning the mask just so can make a big difference - as can running your fingers around the edge of the rubber seal and tamping it into place. Whilst this usually sorts the problem, on some nights no amount of re-positioning and fiddling will work. I'm just hoping that this cling film/saran wrap technique will work on those nights when everything else doesn't.

I just ordered a Pad A Cheek cover for my mask to see if that helps mitigate the leaks.

What about your pillow? Is it pushing the mask around on your face as you move during sleep?

Ed

Initially I like to manually hold my mask on and see where it wants to sit, first without pressure, then with pressure to find the sweet spot with no/minimal leaks. Then I adjust straps to match what my hands were doing.

I believe that many people tighten the masks far to tight. Most masks now have the equivalent of what you did with the plastic wrap around all the sealing surfaces. Air pressure, not strap pressure, should hold the seal. The straps should hold the mask in position so the mask seal will work properly.

All of our facial structures are different, so because a given mask working or not working for someone else say nothing about wether it will or will not work for you. Masks have to be TRIED ON.

zoocrewphoto wrote:

gobbion wrote:Maybe someone has already suggested this.
I use a full mask (nose + mouth) and have often suffered with air leaks from the bridge of the nose blowing air into my eyes. I tried various silicone cushions etc with no success. Last night was a bad night with leaks and even loud squeaks. At about 4 a.m. I thought of a possible solution. I got a piece of cling film (saran wrap) about 6inches long x 3inches wide and, before putting my mask on, put it over the rubber seal of my mask where it contacts the nose; I pressed the overlap of the film protruding into the mask back to cover the rubber seal and then put the mask on. After turning my machine on I pressed the overlap of the film protruding from the mask back against the rubber seal. This seemed to cure the leak or maybe, at least, stopped it blowing into my eyes.
I don't know if there are any long term consequences of using this fix.
Hope this helps - it might even help with other leaks lower down the mask.
Good luck

When I first starting using cpap, I was having leaks into my eyes. I was told that the mask was too high on my nose. But lowering it just a little bit, the leaks were gone.

+1..... Placing the mask slightly lower fixed my problem...also be sure the mask is not too big.

That's the great thing about this forum, it's a great knowing that there are people out there who know and experience the problems you can encounter and who offer help with their suggestions. I'm really grateful for all the suggestions.
I've tried lots of things e.g. tightness of straps, repositioning the mask including pulling mask down a litlle and momentarily lifting it to inflate the seal prior to reseating it etc. It doesn't help that I seem to be between sizes with the masks I have tried - If I pull them down just a bit I get leaks at the chin & if I pull them up I get leaks where the top edge of the mask is over the edge of my eye sockets. Most of the time I manage to find the sweet spot and all is well, but now and then I can't find the right mix, it could be that my skin on some nights might be just a bit drier or more clammy than usual, it could also be that I run at a fairly highish pressure (36cm) and so the fit is more crtical - I don't know.
The use of the cling film definitely sorts out the problem on those bad nights. It could be that the folds in the cling film, that is far more flexible than the silicone rubber of the mask seal (because the film is so thin), get drawn into any crevice through which air is leaking and seal it.
The best situation is a not to have to fiddle with the mask but there may be people, like me, that on some nights can't adjust the mask to stop the leaks, on those nights I hope the simple fix I suggested helps.

Thanks for your support.

Have you tried something like the Amara View or the Hybrid masks (as shown at cpap.com )? These cover the mouth and fit to - but not over - the nose.

Ed

It certainly sounds like you haven't found the right size mask yet. More size options would be good. I'm having a similar problem with width, I'm in between sizes with my current mask. Maybe sometime down the road we will get more options or custom fitting. I look forward to the day when we can look back and say "can you believe we used to wear those things".

I certainly seems like the height of the mask is to tall for you based on what you describe. I suspect your going to have to keep searching for the right size unless the members here have some sort of workaround. I''ve only been on therapy for 3 years and relatively new to it all. Wish I could help more and wish you the best.