what can happen if your eyes get air in them?

MrRandom · Post by **MrRandom** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:01 pm

Can anything really bad happen besides being uncomfortably dry? My new mask sucks more than the old mask and I can't get another one out of the DME for several months. I'm going to try and get one off the auction site but for now I need something to sleep with. I tried for an hour last night to get this mask adjusted before I finally threw it off and went to sleep without it. But I woke up feeling like crap! Even the few hours I get with the CPAP is better than 9 hours without it, I know that much now. So is anything really bad gonna happen to my eyes?

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:27 pm

mY EYE surgeon told me to use night time eye gel to moisturize them. You can also wear an eye mask at night to protect them

MrRandom · Post by **MrRandom** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:00 pm

I think I'm going to wear my swimming goggles to bed tonight. If they can seal out water, they can seal out air! Anything to get a good nights sleep.

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:02 pm

Thumbs up to you!!!!

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:13 pm

I use a Quattro FF mask with a hose hanger which a lot of nights kept the hose dead center in front of the mask exhaust holes and deflecting the air back in to my eyes. Got tired of waking up with my eyes glued shut in the morning and finally i put a rubber band around the hose fitting and the other end of the rubber band around the harness clip which holds the hose over and out of the way of the exhaust. I have read other posts where people have attached deflectors etc. to keep the air away from the eyes, air blowing in to the eyes causes conjunctivitis which is not good for your eyes.

Dale

pd · Post by pd » Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:39 am

Exposure keratitis is the primary concern. The cornea is the clear part of the eye and if it dries out from exposure you have exposure keratitis; a painful, potentially blurring, and in extreme cases possibly blinding condition. The irritation caused by the constant blowing also compromises the integrity of the cornea’s structure and natural defenses against pathogens, which makes the eye more susceptible to infection and potentially irreversible structural clouding.

Diverting the air flow and avoiding the risk is the best policy. Ointments and viscous artificial tears are an option; thinner artificial tears will wash or dry out. Your swim goggle solution is excellent if they are comfortable and don’t cause any other problems; even wearing a sleep mask to protect your eyes might solve the problem.

Sore dry eyes are not fun, and risking your vision at any level is silly.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:32 am

There should be a 30 day return policy if your mask is not working for you. That way you won't have to wait for months - contact your dme - it is their job to fit your mask correctly.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

MrRandom · Post by **MrRandom** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:35 am

Well I slept pretty good, half the night with the goggles, but then they got uncomfortable and I took them off and added bandaids. The bandaids don't work as well because they have little holes in them. I'm just going to need another mask. I keep getting outbid on the auction site The DME will not give me another mask, they don't have any 30 day return policy. They let me exchange the mask once and that's it. The one I exchanged for is worse than the first one. It's killing my teeth and leaks much worse.

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:50 am

Try some Mack's silicone putty to seal your mask. Here are some photos to help you figure out how to make it work.

viewtopic.php?t=26782&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

MrRandom · Post by **MrRandom** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:53 am

Where do you get silicone putty? Is that like those earplugs rolled out?

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:01 am

Until you can get your leaks corrected, use an eyemask, http://www.disposamask.com/?gclid=CMatt ... sgod3lIXRQ.

Locally you can find them in travel stores and in luggage departments of other stores.

Issac · Post by **Issac** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:09 am

You must address the problem. I suffered for a year with air blowing in my eyes and along with eye infections, I now have sinus problems. I switch to a full face mask that doesnt cause that problem any more, but I still suffer from my year of hell with a leaky mask.
I have a very high pressure 18/20 and did not have many selections at the time. I had developed a large syst from the tight chin straps I wore every night and had to wear the full face things until something better was invented.
Do whatever you have to to prevent the air from irritating your eyes.

MrRandom · Post by **MrRandom** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:16 am

Thanks rooster I'll look for that. Issac where did you get a cyst, on your chin? I was thinking I might need to use a chin strap of some kind because my jaw drops open and then the mask presses on my teeth all night and they hurt the next day. I will definitely do everything to protect my eyes. Hopefully I won't have to use this mask for many more nights. The DME basically blew me off saying I'm new to using a CPAP so I just need to get used to the mask. I might have believed it if this group wasn't here with so many stories and great information. I'm really glad I found it. I'll just have to buy more masks myself til I find one that's comfortable. I hope such a mask exists!

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:24 am

MrRandom wrote:.....I'll just have to buy more masks myself til I find one that's comfortable...

I am sure you will read a lot here before you pick the next mask to try. The Hybrid mask has been my nightly choice for about 18 months now. It is a good option to try when you have problems with a traditional FF mask.

The caveat is no mask works well for everyone. Every mask has its lovers and haters.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:28 am

MrRandom wrote:The DME basically blew me off saying I'm new to using a CPAP so I just need to get used to the mask.

Be sure to check w/your Insurance carrier - let them know what your dme said & ask if you can choose another. You may have to go dme shopping too.

Mask fit is the most important part of this therapy. Don't let the dme blow air up your nose!!