Eye irritation

[Josiah]

It finally dawned on me that the reason I woke up every morning with irritated eyes and blurry vision had something to do with my CPAP use. Googling the topic confirmed the CPAP - dry eye connection but the discussion always focused on air leaking from the mask. This may be true but I suspect that something about the pressure of the mask on my flaccid face affects the tear ducts and limits the amount of natural tears lubricating my eyes. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Pugsy]

There are ducts that go from the nasal passageway to the eyes and air can sneak up those ducts and dry the eyes out. Normally the ducts are closed off but in some people they aren't.

You need to be having a chat with an eye doctor. There are plugs which can be put in the duct so that the air can't travel up the duct from the nasal passageway to the eye and cause problems.

[Josiah]

I guess I remain unclear about the ducts you are alluding to and what purpose they serve under normal circumstances. My speculation was that the pressure of the mask's padding pressing against the part of my face underneath my eyes was blocking my tear ducts. I base my speculation on the fact I suffer from dry eyes when I sleep and my eyes are closed. During the day my eye's tear properly and I have no problem.

[Pugsy]

I don't see how the mask pressure would necessarily prevent the air from the nasal cavity entering the eye socket by compressing the ducts. I don't remember exactly which ducts are involved either. Sorry...and no time to go refresh my memory.

At any rate....with the symptoms you describe and the fact that God only gave us 2 eyes so I don't mess around with eyes (or ears for that matter)...I always tell people to see an eye doctor specialist with ANY eye issues.

[khauser]

I guess I remain unclear about the ducts you are alluding to and what purpose they serve under normal circumstances. My speculation was that the pressure of the mask's padding pressing against the part of my face underneath my eyes was blocking my tear ducts. I base my speculation on the fact I suffer from dry eyes when I sleep and my eyes are closed. During the day my eye's tear properly and I have no problem.

The ducts are how the eyes drain. The procedure pugsy talks about is a common method of dealing with dry eyes.
Look at http://images.app.goo.gl/KeezW5UTDWWsHYLN7. The tears enterat the upper outer part of the eye and drain at the lower inner part. I doubt the mask could suppress tear production, but I'm not a doctor. It would seem if anything it could suppress draining, but I think the nasal bones protect it. It's easy to see how air could go towards the eye though.

[chunkyfrog]

Age can cause temporary dry eye, as well as dry or moving air, or some medicines.
Your eye doctor may tell you to use artificial tears, as mine did
It is unlikely that your mask has anything to do with it.
Do consult your eye doctor.
Do not stop using cpap.

[Peacenana]

Hi, I was about to post a new topic when I saw this recent discussion. I too have been experiencing eye issues: burning, stinging, watering, red in the corner of the eyes and a feeling of eye fatigue. It's weird as I have been on cpap therapy since September 2019 and just started to have problems like this. I read the advice about seeing an eye doctor and I will make that call tomorrow. I remember being told years ago that I had dry eyes. Just wasn't sure whether cpap and mask worsened the condition. I have some artificial tears which I will use for now. Any other advice?
Thanks!

[chunkyfrog]

. . . . Any other advice?
Thanks!

Next to the artificial tears, you will find eye moistening gels of different viscosities.
Some of these might help while you are waiting to see the eye doctor.
Go for a light or medium formula--the thickest are rather gooey, for sleep or serious dryness.

[khauser]

Hi, I was about to post a new topic when I saw this recent discussion. I too have been experiencing eye issues: burning, stinging, watering, red in the corner of the eyes and a feeling of eye fatigue. It's weird as I have been on cpap therapy since September 2019 and just started to have problems like this. I read the advice about seeing an eye doctor and I will make that call tomorrow. I remember being told years ago that I had dry eyes. Just wasn't sure whether cpap and mask worsened the condition. I have some artificial tears which I will use for now. Any other advice?
Thanks!

Could be allergies, even if you've never had them before. Good choice seeing eye doctor.

[chunkyfrog]

Any eye drop mentioning "red eye" should be only used after consulting an eye doctor.
Antihistamines are not to be fooled around with.

[kshansen]

Hi, I was about to post a new topic when I saw this recent discussion. I too have been experiencing eye issues: burning, stinging, watering, red in the corner of the eyes and a feeling of eye fatigue. It's weird as I have been on cpap therapy since September 2019 and just started to have problems like this. I read the advice about seeing an eye doctor and I will make that call tomorrow. I remember being told years ago that I had dry eyes. Just wasn't sure whether cpap and mask worsened the condition. I have some artificial tears which I will use for now. Any other advice?
Thanks!

Reading this kind of confirms what I had mentioned to the Dr. who put me on the CPAP machine.

I know I was complaining about my eyes feeling sticky and gooped(best way for me to put it) up many mornings. The Dr. just seemed to dismiss my thoughts that it could be related to the CPAP.

I think I have an eye Dr. appointment coming up in a couple of months so I will try to keep an eye on it till then. I know the inner corner of my right eye has tended to be bloodshot off and on lately.
Ken in NY

[zonker]

I think I have an eye Dr. appointment coming up in a couple of months so I will try to keep an eye on it till then.

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[joeljjk11]

I use Refresh PM ointment for my extreme dry eyes from using CPAP. My mask does not leak, I think just using the CPAP machine causes them to be very dry. The ointment helps, I would recommend it.

Joel

[howkim6]

I've been diagnosed with chronic dry eyes for almost as long as I've used a cpap. I used to use Restasis, until I read some of the original publications. I didn't think the data supported its marketing approval in the states. Also, it's expensive. I was told not to use any eye drop that says they help red eyes. That's a different problem. I use GenTeal Gel Drops with the red band at the top of the box at night and Rohto drops as needed during the day.

Talk to your eye doctor. Dry eyes are nothing to play around with.

MaryH

[Josiah]

I've been diagnosed with chronic dry eyes for almost as long as I've used a cpap. I used to use Restasis, until I read some of the original publications. I didn't think the data supported its marketing approval in the states. Also, it's expensive. I was told not to use any eye drop that says they help red eyes. That's a different problem. I use GenTeal Gel Drops with the red band at the top of the box at night and Rohto drops as needed during the day.

Talk to your eye doctor. Dry eyes are nothing to play around with.

MaryH

Thanks Mary