Dry Eyes Question from Newbie

[CardiMom]

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been on an Apap machine for about 2 weeks. I like my machine and mask but am having problems with it drying my eyes out. I am using a nasal pillow mask. Is there any thing I can do for this? Will it hurt my eyes if I just live with it? --Nancy

[Gerald]

It's much easier for us to help you if you fill out your profile.....let us know what equipment you have, its settings, and results from a few night's use.

Gerald

[CardiMom]

Thank you, Gerald. I didn't realize there was a profile section. I now have filled it out. Would appreciate any help anyone can give me. Thanks.

[qltwvr]

Have you tried different sized pillows to get a tighter seal/better fit? Used Lansinoh, lanolin in your nares to help with the seal? The air shouldn't be blowing in your eyes. -- JS

[tattooyu]

I use nasal pillows as well and had trouble with that until I found the right balance with my humidifier. I had to turn it up a little.

[nobody]

I have chronic trouble with dry eyes and that machine did seem to make it worse. I had punctal plugs put in my lower lids and still have problems (part of which is caused by my oily skin, though).

The first thing you should do is make sure that mask isn't leaking at all because even a very tiny leak can irritate your eyes. You may need to adjust it or try another mask. The nasal pillows can be worse for dry eyes because they are shooting the air into your nose right near the nasolacrimal duct ("tear duct"), so a switch to a different type of mask may help. It also helps to have a heated humidifier on because sometimes no matter what you do with the mask, the air still goes up that duct and gets on your eyes, so it helps if it's humid air rather than dry air. It can also help to have a room humidifier. I've also used moisturizing pellets in my eyes, called Lacrisert, but I found they didn't really help much. I thought I'd mention it, though, because who knows they might help you

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been on an Apap machine for about 2 weeks. I like my machine and mask but am having problems with it drying my eyes out. I am using a nasal pillow mask. Is there any thing I can do for this? Will it hurt my eyes if I just live with it? --Nancy

[FatiguedMe]

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been on an Apap machine for about 2 weeks. I like my machine and mask but am having problems with it drying my eyes out. I am using a nasal pillow mask. Is there any thing I can do for this? Will it hurt my eyes if I just live with it? --Nancy

I have the same problem, I am using various eye drops right now during the day (samples from eye dr), and a Gel eye drop for night (GenTeal gel drops) Mine got so bad it set off air pockets in my eyes (again I can't recall the name) Please check at your pharmacy for over the counter lubricating eye drops it helps so much!
Keep us posted.
P.S. I am getting relief from the drops LOL (forgot to include that)

[howkim]

I have chronic dry eyes - diagnosed prior to the OSA. I have punctal plugs, use Restasis twice a day, "Soothe" brand eye drops during the day and GenTeal Gel at night. I have found that using an eye mask helps with the eye dryness from any residual leaks from my mask. I've been using ones friends have picked up for me from overnight flights to Europe for business. I have been looking at http://www.sleepessentials.com for the "slim profile" sleep masks they have. Might even spring for one.

[BlackSpinner]

shooting the air into your nose right near the nasolacrimal duct ("tear duct"), so a switch to a different type of mask may help. It also helps to have a heated humidifier on because sometimes no matter what you do with the mask, the air still goes up that duct and gets on your eyes,

I am also having problems with my eyes but acording to my DME techician there is no way that my nose could possibly connect with my eyes - never heard of such things in all her 15 years experience - I must be imagining things.

[twasbrillig]

Just wanted to let you know that I checked with my eye doctor (just today in fact) to see if the dry eye problems I have been having are hurting my eyes. He couldn't see that there have been any problems after 3 months of use, which is nice to know. He recommended a gel which functions like eye drops to keep your eyes moist, but lasts longer. I haven't used it yet.

There is a slide show from an eye doctor on line who mentions all the eye problems that can result from CPAP. One of them is (on slide 24) "Retrograde airflow through nasolacrimal apparatus"

http://www.slideshare.net/rhodopsin/sle ... e-eye-2008

So if you think you have ruled out mask leak, and you still have dry eyes, then it's a definite possibility. As another poster noted, the nasal pillows seem to direct the airflow that way, possibly moreso than masks. I have nasal pillows, so perhaps that's the issue.

Good luck. I found it pretty reassuring that my doctor couldn't see anything significant. He's also going to check and see if there is anything to be more concerned about.

[CardiMom]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have been using eye drops and GenTeal Gel at night but it didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference. I have tried to feel for a leak but couldn't feel one. I thought I was crazy because one time I was getting a sleeper out of the corner of my eye and it felt like air came out of my tear duct. So, I would guess there is a good chance that it is the way the mask blows the air into my nose. I will try turning up my humidifier and continue using the gel to help. Thanks again!

[Pirateghost]

Just wanted to let you know that I checked with my eye doctor (just today in fact) to see if the dry eye problems I have been having are hurting my eyes. He couldn't see that there have been any problems after 3 months of use, which is nice to know. He recommended a gel which functions like eye drops to keep your eyes moist, but lasts longer. I haven't used it yet.

There is a slide show from an eye doctor on line who mentions all the eye problems that can result from CPAP. One of them is (on slide 24) "Retrograde airflow through nasolacrimal apparatus"

http://www.slideshare.net/rhodopsin/sle ... e-eye-2008

So if you think you have ruled out mask leak, and you still have dry eyes, then it's a definite possibility. As another poster noted, the nasal pillows seem to direct the airflow that way, possibly moreso than masks. I have nasal pillows, so perhaps that's the issue.

Good luck. I found it pretty reassuring that my doctor couldn't see anything significant. He's also going to check and see if there is anything to be more concerned about.

Did you hear from your doctor? My eyes are killing me and now I'm starting to get worried about eye damage.

[howkim]

My eyes are killing me and now I'm starting to get worried about eye damage.

Have YOU spoken with a doctor about this in the last couple of days? IMHO, pain is the body's way of saying there's a problem.

[twasbrillig]

I have not heard from my doctor yet...I asked him to call if he found out anything bad.

[provider]

First, the likely culprit is bad fit. Try a slightly larger size pillow. All else fails, follow-up with your provider. Most manufacturers have 30 day comfort guarantees. A good DME has experienced clinicians on staff to help you get a good fit. It may take several tries to find an interface that works! Good luck.