Are leaks dangerous to your eyes?

[mrsundaynight]

Longtime lurker, first time poster....

I've had the Comfortlite 2 CPAP mask for about a year and I love it. I couldn't get through more than a couple hours with my old mask, but this one stays on all night. It's great.

I wear it with the simple cushion seal (around the nose) and not with the nasal pillows.

The only problem is leaks. I rarely get a perfect seal. It isn't enough to affect my breathing - I'm still getting the benefits of the CPAP. But sometimes it blows into my eyes, drying them out. It's just a tiny bit of air, but enough to feel.

Now I've got an irritation in the corner of my eye (the far side from the nose) and I think it's from the CPAP.

So my question is, am I in danger of damaging my eyes by having this leak in the mask? Is it an annoyance or a genuine danger?

Thanks!

[ozij]

Yes, its a genuine - threat.

Contact an eye doctor to have your eyes checked.
See of you can improve the mask's seal by using a leg from pantyhose tights to stabilize the mask - or maybe mac's silicon ear plugs.
Use an eye mask if you don't find a better solution.

Good luck
O.

[mrsundaynight]

Thanks for the reply. What kind of eye problems are we talking about? What should I worry about?

Simple eye infections? Worse?

This bites....that mask has been great for me, aside from this.

Thanks again.

[Guest]

Here is a suggestion,

if you have had the mask for a year that could be an issue because the insurance companies pays for a new one every six month and that is what is recommended so maybe your has just lost it's seal. Try getting a new one and see if that helps with the leakage.

Leakage in the eye's is not good it can cause infections in the eyes...

also when you lay down take the mask and pull it from your face and then place it back on your nose some times the little flap at your nose will fold under and it wont give you a good seal make sure your headgear isn't too tight sometimes that will cause for a not so comfortable fit also...

hopes this helps, good luck

[gasp]

Longtime lurker, first time poster....

I've had the Comfortlite 2 CPAP mask for about a year and I love it. I couldn't get through more than a couple hours with my old mask, but this one stays on all night. It's great.

I wear it with the simple cushion seal (around the nose) and not with the nasal pillows.

The only problem is leaks. I rarely get a perfect seal. It isn't enough to affect my breathing - I'm still getting the benefits of the CPAP. But sometimes it blows into my eyes, drying them out. It's just a tiny bit of air, but enough to feel.

Now I've got an irritation in the corner of my eye (the far side from the nose) and I think it's from the CPAP.

So my question is, am I in danger of damaging my eyes by having this leak in the mask? Is it an annoyance or a genuine danger?

Thanks!

I've heard that the strap solution works for this. I tried that cushion on my CL2 and found it leaked into my eyes too. I find the nasal pillows does not and is very stable for me. I did have to go a size up on the nasal pillows to get a good seal. The place on the end needs to puff up around your nares without the seal/ridge on the nasal pillow touching the skin of your nose. Is there a reason you don't like using pillows? They would most likely solve the air into your eyes problem.

[mrsundaynight]

Longtime lurker, first time poster....

I've had the Comfortlite 2 CPAP mask for about a year and I love it. I couldn't get through more than a couple hours with my old mask, but this one stays on all night. It's great.

I wear it with the simple cushion seal (around the nose) and not with the nasal pillows.

The only problem is leaks. I rarely get a perfect seal. It isn't enough to affect my breathing - I'm still getting the benefits of the CPAP. But sometimes it blows into my eyes, drying them out. It's just a tiny bit of air, but enough to feel.

Now I've got an irritation in the corner of my eye (the far side from the nose) and I think it's from the CPAP.

So my question is, am I in danger of damaging my eyes by having this leak in the mask? Is it an annoyance or a genuine danger?

Thanks!

I've heard that the strap solution works for this. I tried that cushion on my CL2 and found it leaked into my eyes too. I find the nasal pillows does not and is very stable for me. I did have to go a size up on the nasal pillows to get a good seal. The place on the end needs to puff up around your nares without the seal/ridge on the nasal pillow touching the skin of your nose. Is there a reason you don't like using pillows? They would most likely solve the air into your eyes problem.

No real reason - I just found the cushion to be more comfortable and I didn't like the idea of irritating the skin around my nostrils with the nasal pillows. But you're right, I should give them another shot and see if they'll work.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't totally understand the "strap solution". Does that mean tying a nylon around my head, tying the cushion tighter?

Thanks again.

[mrsundaynight]

Here is a suggestion,

if you have had the mask for a year that could be an issue because the insurance companies pays for a new one every six month and that is what is recommended so maybe your has just lost it's seal. Try getting a new one and see if that helps with the leakage.

Leakage in the eye's is not good it can cause infections in the eyes...

also when you lay down take the mask and pull it from your face and then place it back on your nose some times the little flap at your nose will fold under and it wont give you a good seal make sure your headgear isn't too tight sometimes that will cause for a not so comfortable fit also...

hopes this helps, good luck

Very good point. Didn't realize they only had a 6 month lifespan. I'll order a new cushion and give it a shot.

Thanks a lot!

[goose]

I use the ComfortGel mask -- similar type of sealing interface.
I sometimes get the eye leak issue and to mitigate it I generally can press in the edges of the seal. It happened most often when I was using the Medium flap -- it is too large and I'm presently using the Small flap when I use the CG and the problem is very minimal. Eye leaks is a serious issue -- you don't want our eyes drying out!!! As recommended, see an eye doctor, discuss the problem and if necessary wear an eye mask that prevents the air from reaching your eyes.

If it's like the CG you have to keep the straps loose enough to let the flap completely inflate -- but it sounds like you're already doing that -- the big mistake a lot of us seem to make initially is to crank down the mask far too tight.....

Agree with the others -- the parts wear out. Especially those silicone flaps that actually do the inflating for the seal. Also, I may have missed it, but keep the flaps clean!!! I wash mine every 2-3 wearings - vinegar, dish soap and water, I soak 'em for 2 hours, rinse thoroughly and dry. If you have oily skin, it also helps to wash the face prior to donning the mask....

Check with your insurance company to see how often you can get mask parts replaced and take advantage of every time.....My DME tried to tell me it was every 3 months, then they changed it up to every 6 months.....I called the insurance company and the rule is basically "whenever you need a new mask or mask parts we will pay for them"......So far they have held to that. I've requested a new mask every 3 months for the past year and received it -- at no cost (I don't have a deductible or copay).

Take care
cheers
goose

[cakimmer]

First, there must be some issue with the mask and hopefully getting a new one (or new cushion) should help that. I know that I often have trouble getting mine to feel just right. I raise it up a tiny bit, adjust my straps a little... It could also be the size of the mask but I'd hope they prescribed that correctly in the beginning.

Second, I am an eye doctor I've never seen, or heard of, anyone contracting an eye infection secondary to a leaky CPAP mask. You'd typically need some "outside agent" for that. I guess theoretically, if there was "something" (fungus or bacteria) growing in the mask, you could get an infection. Or, if your eyes were severely dry they may be more vulnerable to contracting an infection.

I do deal with many patients who have dry eyes and that in itself is not comfortable. Have you tried applying artificial tears or even a gel (e.g., Refresh P.M.)? Perhaps that would help until the mask issue is resolved. I do that myself and it seems to help. I find myself "scrunched up" on my side which causes my mask to leak sometimes too.

Just some thoughts!
KCY

[DreamDiver]

...Or, if your eyes were severely dry they may be more vulnerable to contracting an infection.
...Have you tried applying artificial tears or even a gel (e.g., Refresh P.M.)? Perhaps that would help until the mask issue is resolved. I do that myself and it seems to help. I find myself "scrunched up" on my side which causes my mask to leak sometimes too.
KCY

Hi KCY (cakimmer),
Thanks for offering a professional opinion. I suspect the problem may be more about severe drying of the eyes. Some people sleep with their eyes not entirely closed. If the mask is leaking air directly at the unprotected eye surface, it could dry out the eye about the same way a mouth leak dries out the gums. When your gums are as dry as paper, it's very unpleasant. I get the feeling that this is not nearly as dangerous as if your eyeball surface were to get to that same level of dryness, unbeknownst to the eyeball owner as s/he sleeps, eyes half-lidded. An air leak directed at the eye might cause that under some circumstances. Papermouth is one thing. But papereye? A gel might help, but would it be enough after even an hour of drying air directly on the eyeball?

[-SWS]

Google Scholar managed to return just a few general hits combining the terms "eye", "conjunctiva", and "CPAP":
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en ... tnG=Search

And only a few more combining the terms "eye", "conjunctivitis", and "CPAP":
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en ... tnG=Search

KCY, thank you for weighing in! And welcome!!!!

Mrsundaynight, welcome to this board as well!!!

[gasp]

Longtime lurker, first time poster....

I've had the Comfortlite 2 CPAP mask for about a year and I love it. I couldn't get through more than a couple hours with my old mask, but this one stays on all night. It's great.

I wear it with the simple cushion seal (around the nose) and not with the nasal pillows.

The only problem is leaks. I rarely get a perfect seal. It isn't enough to affect my breathing - I'm still getting the benefits of the CPAP. But sometimes it blows into my eyes, drying them out. It's just a tiny bit of air, but enough to feel.

Now I've got an irritation in the corner of my eye (the far side from the nose) and I think it's from the CPAP.

So my question is, am I in danger of damaging my eyes by having this leak in the mask? Is it an annoyance or a genuine danger?

Thanks!

I don't need to use the strap. Oddly, I was able to wear the mask at the settings it was on out of the box. Since then of course I've moved them and now adjust all the time. Too bad it doesn't have a 'default' setting like software : )))

Anyway, for me I don't need a strap. I tighten the headgear straps as snug as I can without causing discomfort. Then I use the swivel to lower the nasal pillows close to where they should be. Then I use the clips to bring the nasal pillows toward my nose. Then lastly, I use the swivel again to fine tune. I do not have the nasal pillows unseat during the night. I use a Tempurpedic pillow so it is rather firm, yet soft. It accommodates my face, the mask, making a sort of impression where it is met with pressure and just stays there. This may be the reason I don't have problems with the mask unseating.

Some others that do have problems with the nasal pillows unseating have used a stretchy strap (some cut out a piece of panty hose, headbands, and other such materials) to keep the mask secure.

I've heard that the strap solution works for this. I tried that cushion on my CL2 and found it leaked into my eyes too. I find the nasal pillows does not and is very stable for me. I did have to go a size up on the nasal pillows to get a good seal. The place on the end needs to puff up around your nares without the seal/ridge on the nasal pillow touching the skin of your nose. Is there a reason you don't like using pillows? They would most likely solve the air into your eyes problem.

No real reason - I just found the cushion to be more comfortable and I didn't like the idea of irritating the skin around my nostrils with the nasal pillows. But you're right, I should give them another shot and see if they'll work.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't totally understand the "strap solution". Does that mean tying a nylon around my head, tying the cushion tighter?

Thanks again.

[DreamDiver]

If someone could post a link to an existing picture in a thread on this site about the famous pantyhose strap around the mask, I'd be grateful. I still haven't quite gotten my head around the image in my mind.

[gasp]

If someone could post a link to an existing picture in a thread on this site about the famous pantyhose strap around the mask, I'd be grateful. I still haven't quite gotten my head around the image in my mind.

Here is one link that explains it:
http://iq-cg-nasal.cpaptalk.com/viewtop ... llows.html

[ozij]

As the esteemed inventor RG so modestly mentions in her post on Gasp's link:

"I use the leg cut off a pair of stretchy tights (RG's infamous pantyhose leg )"

Does that help you switch the image from "pantyhose" to "strap"?

The tights or pantyhose material is strechy, soft, easy to tie into a knot, and therefore very convenient for stabilizing masks.

Although often presented in red in the illustrious inventor's illustrations and photographs, one need not adhere to that color, straps of various colors have been shown to be extremely effective. However, at this point, there is only anecdotal evidence (well, tons of it) pointing to that fact....


I believe it was Rooster who tried to buy them incognito...



O.