Sight for sore eyes

[Gidgie]

Anyone out there have a problem with sore,watery eyes in the morning? I have mask leaks whenthe pressure gets high, above 18 or 20. This much I'm aware of, but I don't think I have leaks near my eyes (F&P431 ff mask) My DME thinks it may be caused by pressure on the tear ducts,but the soreness lasts nearly all day. The DME has no suggestions on what I could do, so I told him I'd toss it out there for you good folks to mull around.

[born to be mild]

Hi Gidgie;

I have a 431 that I use on occasion, but without the tearing that you describe. My tear ducts are quite sensitive, so when allergies bother me, my eyes will water pretty quick.

The following is predicated on my observation that the human body is capable of sensing things even though our brain may filter them out as meaningless (and therefore non-existant.)

In the morning when I wake up, I can smell the dust in the room. It's a distinct aroma, related to the smell of a vacuum bag. How is this possible? Well, I use both the main dust filter and the add-on allergy filter on my RemStar. I'm surmising that at night, having been used to a whole day's worth of dust, mold, and allergens, I go to sleep without any recognition that the air I'm breathing is double-filtered and therefore (presumably) as completely clean as I'm likely to ever experience. So, after 8 hours of sleep, I take the mask off, and my nose can sense the dust in the room. After about 30 seconds or so, I don't smell it any more.

Is it possible that during your sleep, there is clean air rushing around your eyes, which irritates them slightly ... then in the morning, when you take the mask off, your eyes react to the sudden change even more than my sensitive nose?

An easy way to test this would be to wear a regular nasal mask for one night. Your eyes wouldn't be exposed to the "clean" air, and thus wouldn't be set up for a dramatic change.

[SLEEPYCD]

Don't have a clue was causes eye problems, but I've had them all!!!! I wear an eye mask at night now (found that it helped me alot), along with my mask, and I also tape my mouth shut. Boy, do I look ridiculous, but it all seems to do the trick!!!! Good Luck.
Carolyn

[Linda3032]

Gidgie, it would be a great help if you would go into your forum profile and fill in the blanks for your equipment that you use. Also, you can list your pressure in the "signature" block. That info will appear in your posts.

I seldom see pressures listed at 18 or 20, so it would help us if we knew what machine, mask, etc. you are using. Then maybe we could help a little more.

[Gidgie]

Linda3032 There tis. Every once in a while my computer gives ME the boot and I have to reconnect. Fudges things up.

[Linda3032]

So what pressure were you titrated at, and what are your min/max settings on your Auto?

[Gidgie]

SLEEPYCD, What kind of eye mask do you use? Tried those little hard plastic thingies and had a bad night of it. Ended up taking EVERYTHING off, had a short and unhappy night, now feel really rotten--sore eyes and all. We have determined that leakage into my eyes at high pressure is the problem, alright, just how to get it stopped. Other than that, the 431 & I get along just fine.

[sleepycd]

Gidgie,
I found sleep masks in many different stores, look for them in with bath items (such as loofahs, bubble bath, ect.). Just little smooth silky things to cover your eyes. The first one I got was padded, caused big problems with mask leakage, but protected my eyes!!! So, I modified it a bit, cut out all the padding and left the elastic in place (goes around your head, like we all need more straps, huh??) I also got some really soft fannel material to make my own masks (will be easy to wash and comfy on the eyes). I started CPAP use in late May 05. I suffered from Angioedema (no life threatening throat swelling) from late Jun 05-Nov 05. My eyes would welt up, left side of my face would swell and I'd break out in hives!!! Wasn't much fun (didn't look very cute, either!!!!) Now I cover my eyes and tape my mouth shut and GUESS WHAT, NO MORE SWELLING OR HIVES!!!! Just another fun side effect of getting used to using CPAP, I guess!!! Hope it works for you, try it and let us know.
Carolyn

[Guest]

I have a red sore eye right now, this is the 2nd day. I have had about 6 episodes of this, with both eyes at one time or another.
My pressure is set at 11, and I know my red eyes are because air is leaking from my mask, and I don't wake up when this happens. This never happened before I was on cpap.
I usually put a preservative free lubricant a couple of times a day in the eye that is sore.
I never thought of an eye mask, I'll have to search for one.
I usually take a cotton square 2by 2, I think, that is used for bandages, and I keep it in place with bandaids. I'm sure I look really weird.I do this to stop more leaks into the red eye.This is after the fact, though, I really need to do more to stop it from happening in the first place.
Marie

[Gidgie]

Thanks whole great bunches, Carolyn. I was beginning to think along those lines. Must be careful tho...and allergic to so much stuff it isn't funny.

[Darth Vader Look]

There is some padding available under the name moleskin from Dr. Scholls. I have read where they use it around the bridge in the nose to stop air leaks into the eyes. You may want to try that. Here is a link to a discussion on it's use.

[Gidgie]

Darth Vader Look, Checked out that link.Verrrrrry interesting & informative. Might just give it a spin. Oh, I rather thought the leak sounds more like a freight train comin' through the house. I suspect the cats all head for cover.Tonight...just thinking....snickering behind the mask......