Eye fatique? Common for us??

[jjlady]

Do you guys find your fatique settles in your eyes?? For me my eyes get very puffy and swollen and they feel very tired and it is hard to focus....which I think makes me feel tired all over. It does feel like allergies but I feel it is related to my XPAP treatment or just my SA "illness", but I also have Thyroid issues and Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I sometimes wonder if that is causing the fatique in the eyes. Or is that just part of "general" fatique no matter what the cause???

[jencat824]

You might have an eye problem. Could be related to RA so you might want to start with eye dr, then proceed to rheumatologist. Sounds to me like a genine eye problem, so you may need glasses or contacts. Let me note that if you need contacts, don't sleep in them with CPAP. I had real problems doing that and my eye dr went bonkers when he found out I slept with CPAP, he said CPAP users should not sleep in contacts.

Good luck & keep us posted on your problem,
Jen

[kteague]

I second the opinion you should see your eye doctor. Our vision is not something to guess about. I blamed my deteriorating vision on aging, and by the time it was bad enough to see an eye doctor, my eye pressures were in the 40's. The doctor said had I ignored the symptoms, I would have been totally blind within a year. I had glaucoma, exacerbated by Prednisone use. Not saying you have glaucoma. I am saying you want to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that nothing is really wrong. Hope it turns out to be much ado about nothing, but at least you'll have a current baseline on your eye pressures for later reference.

[chunkyfrog]

What you describe sounds like edema around your eyes.
It could be allergies, or an infection, or something else; we don't know.
Do see the doctor.

[MobyTheMinnow]

Eye fatigue for me was caused by leaking mask. If your mask leaks at the bridge of your nose go for a new mask with a double silicone seal (just make sure you are not a mouth breather for that you need a full face mask, they probably make full face masks with double seals). I posted this one today once today already. The description for a Resmed Ultra Mirage II nasal mask. Two-Layer Cushion has a supportive inner layer that provides superior stability and a soft outer membrane that reduces the likelihood of leaks and pressure sores. Air flowing through the mask inflates the membrane and gently positions it against the face so that it forms a secure seal without the need for tight headgear. This unique design reduces the possibility of pressure sores and provides optimal comfort.

Also earplugs while using a cpap mask are not an option. A backpressure occurs in tubes connection the ears, sinuses, and eyes. It is very unpleasant. I used to have a noisy neighbor with a 500 watt subwoofer drive me up the wall and another one that left a dog by itself in her apartment for days on end. It bashed its head into the door of the apartment all day and all night long. Pscychodog. Needless to say I threatened to sue the neighbors and the apartment complex, the apartment complex came back with "pet friendly" apartments clause. I said "Sue you" one more time and told them that noise isnt a "Pet Friendly noise" and they let me out of my lease. The earplugs would have worked but alas you cant use with a Cpap.

Ah yes and also if you dont think the leaking mask at the bridge of your nose causes it go see a doc. By the way you should replace your masks yearly if you can afford it.

[chunkyfrog]

Air leaks into the eyes can be a significant source of irritation;
but the swelling and heavy feeling indicates an unrelated issue.
see a doctor!

[avi123]

I often get "sandy" eyes feeling. Most likely from air leaking from the mask (as described above). So I just rub the eyes with tap water (lid closed) and it goes away. This is instead of using the eye lubricating drops:

[jencat824]

These are great suggestions, but I still recommend an eye dr just to be sure. Remember we only have two eyes, and vision is priceless.
Jen

[chunkyfrog]

Yes, the "fatique" (or fatigue) feeling may be a symptom of something serious!
Go to the doctor; or start saving up for a dog.

[Paula J]

I wear disposable contact lenses. I sleep in them for 2 weeks at a time and then replace them. I use a high pressure of 18 with straight Cpap, so there is always a little air leakage. Most of the time, my contacts are fine, but, occasionally one gets dried out and will fall out during the night. No problem! I talked to my eye doctor about the lenses and the Cpap and he saw no problems with it and no problems with my vision. Hope this might help someone who wears disposable lenses.

[KSMike]

Definitely see a doctor.

I've been fighting severe, painful dryness in my right eye for two years now. I've ruled out mask leaks as the source of the problem. My ophthalmologist's next step was going to be plugging the tube in that eye, but he had to retire very suddenly (still not sure what happened there) so I'm still in limbo as to what will happen next. I've pretty well been dependent on drops many times per day since it started.

[jjlady]

Thanks everyone for your responses, but I only get the eye problems when I am tired. I think it is either thyroid or RA related.

[Suzjohnson]

Definitely see a doctor.

I've been fighting severe, painful dryness in my right eye for two years now. I've ruled out mask leaks as the source of the problem. My ophthalmologist's next step was going to be plugging the tube in that eye, but he had to retire very suddenly (still not sure what happened there) so I'm still in limbo as to what will happen next. I've pretty well been dependent on drops many times per day since it started.

KSMike, most opthamologists will put one or both plugs in for you. I had them put in several months ago after years of extremely dry eyes and am delighted with the results.

Suz

[KSMike]

Suz, thanks for your thoughts. My doc was trying to rule out everything else first, because he was concerned about increased risk of eye infections with the plugs. I'm curious, what kind of symptoms did you have pre-plugs, and what made you certain that the plugs would fix it (other than getting them)?

[chunkyfrog]

The plug goes into the nasolacrimal duct:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasolacrimal_duct