Strange new problem: eyes are bleeding!

[Kortez]

So, I've been using CPAP without any issues since February, and for the past 2-3 weeks I've noticed that my eyes are beginning to turn very red when I sleep. In fact, they are bleeding! They are not dripping, but they are very red, especially the left one. It's not a leak issue, and I've used both pillows and nose masks, with the same symptoms/results.

I've noticed that at a pressure of 14 I've lately felt like my head over-pressured, so I backed off to a pressure of 12.5, and the bleeding has lessened, but it has not gone away.

Has anyone ever experienced eye=bleeding? Has anyone ever heard of it? It's most annoying and worrisome. What did you do? I don't smoke or drink, so I'm not sure what is going on.

Thanks,
Joe

[BlackSpinner]

You need to see an ophthalmologist who knows about cpap therapy. There is a tear duct connection between the nasal passage and the eyes and sometimes they have to seal that.
Also make 100% sure your mask is not leaking into your eyes from out side. Try making your eyes wet while wearing your mask laying down at full pressure, if they get cold you have a leak problem.

[LittleRedTruck]

Ive had a chronic dry eye problem for several years now! with tons of steroid eye drops and lubricating eye drops to manage it. With not much luck! My eye DR just last Wed put plugs in the lower tear ducts to keep air from going thru the nose into the eyes. Hope it helps! Dan

[Mary Z]

I hope you take BlackSpinner's advice. This sounds potentially serious.
Good luck and please keep us posted.

[ozze_dollar]

I have noticed that whenever I use something like a dimmetap spray to clear my nose the connection between my sinus and eye seems to open and i get air squirting into my eye.

[nanwilson]

Get to a doctor now.

[RandyJ]

Ive had a chronic dry eye problem for several years now! with tons of steroid eye drops and lubricating eye drops to manage it. With not much luck! My eye DR just last Wed put plugs in the lower tear ducts to keep air from going thru the nose into the eyes. Hope it helps! Dan

Dan is right, tear ducts can be plugged by opthalmologist (this takes all of 2 minutes, I've watched it done) which should solve your problem. This is often done for people with dry eyes to keep tears in the eye instead of leaking out through ducts.

[M.D.Hosehead]

nanwilson is right. You should see a doctor. Bleeding from eyes is very unusual, and can indicate serious conditions, such as a clotting disorder.