CPAP with Nasal Pillows = Puffy / Sore Eyes

bootz · Post by **bootz** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:25 pm

Hello,

First I wanted to say what a great find this forum is for people who deal with SA and its symptoms! Now, to my background: I have a defective aortic valve and have been getting an echocardiogram on an annual basis for the last 10 years. My test from approximately 1.5 years ago showed that I had high pulmonary hypertension. Being that I wasn't showing signs of my heart condition worsening (no swelling / water retention, no enlargement) my cardiologist asked me if I was having trouble sleeping / feeling groggy when I wake up. I answered yes to both questions. He signed me up for a sleep study where I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I just had my most recent echo done about a month ago (after about 9 months using CPAP) and my cardiologist said he was pleased with the results and noted that there was a large reduction in my PH - great news! I still haven't had my official appointment with him yet - I'll see him in a couple of weeks.

Now to the CPAP: Like I said I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and was given an Remstar CPAP M Series machine. I am currently using Nasal Pillows and while I can definitely notice a difference in my energy levels, I have one recurring symptom - sore / puffy eyes the next day. It almost feels like there is too much pressure "in" my eyes. I am constantly squinting and rubbing my eyes even though they are not itchy. I'm sure it isn't from the mask leaking - I have it mounted pretty securely and sleep soundly through the night.

I'm going to seek the advice of doctor who specializes in sleep disorders but I wanted to see if any other fellow CPAP users have experienced the "sore eyes" symptom and if so, how did you deal with it / resolve the issue?

Thanks for listening!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:44 pm

Welcome, Bootz.

Are you sure its a nasal pillows mask you're using? As you can see, by clicking on the "nasal pillows" link at the bottom of your message,

Nasal pillows are small cone shaped cushions that are used in conjunction with a nasal pillow interface to deliver positive airway pressure therapy. The pillows seal, and rest on the outside rim on your nostrils. This type interface delivers therapy with significantly less contact with one's face.

If you give us the name of your mask, it will help us understand, and maybe help you.

O.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): nasal pillow, seal, Nasal Pillows

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:51 pm

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply. I am using the Respironics Nasal Pillows - OptiLife (includes all sizes) with the included headgear: optilife dot respironics dot com

KarenAZ · Post by **KarenAZ** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:45 pm

I use the gel mask but am very interested in possibly switching to the nasal pillows. I'd like to be able to read with my CPAP on (of all things LOL) and I can't get my glasses on with the mask.

I'm going for another sleep study soon so will ask about possibly switching masks.

It looks to me like the nasal pillow is one that goes inside your nostrals? How does it seal then? I'm confused. And I'd hate to have the air going in my eyes. I hope you can fix that!

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:32 pm

I used the Optilife exclusively. I'm not sure how you can get air in your eyes unless you have leaks. The exhalation port blows directly out the front of your mask.

Are you using big enough pillows? You might try a different size and see how that works. I had issues when I used the smallest size.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:33 pm

[quote="KarenAZ"]It looks to me like the nasal pillow is one that goes inside your nostrals? How does it seal then? I'm confused. And I'd hate to have the air going in my eyes. I hope you can fix that!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:15 am

[quote="bootz"]<snip>
I am currently using Nasal Pillows and while I can definitely notice a difference in my energy levels, I have one recurring symptom - sore / puffy eyes the next day. It almost feels like there is too much pressure "in" my eyes. I am constantly squinting and rubbing my eyes even though they are not itchy. I'm sure it isn't from the mask leaking - I have it mounted pretty securely and sleep soundly through the night.

I'm going to seek the advice of doctor who specializes in sleep disorders but I wanted to see if any other fellow CPAP users have experienced the "sore eyes" symptom and if so, how did you deal with it / resolve the issue?

Thanks for listening!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:16 am

Hello Irena,
Please tell your assistant about cpaptalk - he will be able to help far more people.

You are misusing this forum - please do not do this again.

We have had posts by helpful DMEs, you are not one of them.

O.

(4th copy of my message).

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:11 am

Hello & Welcome, bootz! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!

Since you don't suspect mask leaks as the cause of your problem, I really think you should tell your doc about this--only time I've heard of CPAP affecting our eyes was due to air leaks blowing/drying the eyes. Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:37 am

Could it be that the air coming from the exhaust vent is hitting the bedding and 'bouncing' back into your eyes? When you feel the air hitting your eyes, try to place your hands just in front of your eyes and see if they block the flow of air.
I also remember reading(some time ago) about air being forced through the tear ducts, but this seems to be very rare.

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:31 am

bdp522 wrote:Could it be that the air coming from the exhaust vent is hitting the bedding and 'bouncing' back into your eyes? When you feel the air hitting your eyes, try to place your hands just in front of your eyes and see if they block the flow of air.
I also remember reading(some time ago) about air being forced through the tear ducts, but this seems to be very rare.

Brenda

Yeah it is really odd - just as an experiment I didn't use the CPAP the other night. I woke up after about 8 hours of sleep and while I felt more "tired" I didn't have the issues with my eyes. They felt kind of heavy due to the poor sleep but I didn't have the urge to squint or rub my eyes - really weird.

Slightly OT, one of the first things I'm going to do is request better care / analysis for my sleep apnea from my cardiologist. After reading stories about the types of CPAP machines available I feel kind of ripped off with my REMstar Plus M Series machine.

What is the best method to get the care and attention I need for my sleep apnea? Is it better to speak with a Dr. who specializes in sleep disorders who is not affiliated with a sleep clinic?

Thanks for all the replies!

Bootz (Male, 31 )

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:48 am

CPAP air can get into your eyes when using a nasal pillow mask. I know, mine does. I have eye problems due to a car wreck several years ago and I have to use a product called Lacri-Lube in my eyes EVERY night. I still get the puffy stuff, but they aren't dried out any more.

Air can go up thru your nose into your tear ducts and into your eyes....and make for pretty serious dry eyes. I think this happens more than people think. Unless I'm weird some how, I always sleep with my eyes closed, so it would be hard to get outside air in my eyes. It's coming from the inside.

Claire · Post by **Claire** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:17 am

I wonder if this might not be related to CPAP at all...maybe a visit to an opthamalogist would be a good idea.

Arizona-Willie · Post by **Arizona-Willie** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:45 pm

You are right Jeffh.

I was using the Hybrid which has the nasal pillows and loved it...but I started having trouble with high pressure in my eyes. I suspect the air blowing directly up the nostrils is going through the channel that goes up to the eyes and causing problems.

Eye doctor says he doesn't believe it is diabetic glaucoma. Eyes have been somewhat inflamed as well as the high pressure so they have me on 3 eyedrops.

I went back to my Activa mask and have not had eye pain drive me to the eye doctor since I went back to it. Looking forward to my next visit with the eye doc in April and hoping my pressure will be nice and low.

Often times after I put the eye drops in I get this horrible taste in the back of my throat and that is the eye drops draining through those channels. Obviously if the drops can drain down the high pressure air can also follow those channels up into my eyes.

It seems to make a difference having the nasal pillows directing the air directly up the nostril rather than having the nasal mask with pressurized air around the nose. Surprising it would do that ... but .. < sigh > and I loved the Hybrid darn it. Really miss using that.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:07 pm

Willie,
I've heard - from more than one source - that you're supposed to pinch you nose just where your glasses sit to keep the medication from dripping into your mouth.
O.

CPAP with Nasal Pillows = Puffy / Sore Eyes

CPAP with Nasal Pillows = Puffy / Sore Eyes

Re: CPAP with Nasal Pillows = Puffy / Sore Eyes

Correctamundo

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i