Question re: cpap and cataract surgery

[Rob108]

I'm trying to do some due diligence research on using cpap machine immediately after cataract surgery.
I see the opthamologist-surgeon on Dec 3rd for evaluation into possible cataract removal. I am new (relatively) to cpap and am semi-comfortable with the full face cpap mask I am using. I breathe through my mouth almost 100% of the time, awake or asleep. I tried a nasal mask when I was being titrated but that lasted a very very short time even with a chin strap (I felt like I was drowning as the cpap air was being forced in it was also going out my mouth just as fast).
Since visiting my regular Doctor of Optometry I've been directed to use Refresh PM lubricant eye ointment nightly to help with my dry eye problem which is exacerbated by the minuscule air leaking at my eyes during the night (I also side sleep which shifts the mask off-center thereby leaking). This seems to help(I no longer wake with my eyes bright red, swollen eyelids or excessive watering.


So now my question....Has anyone had experience with cataract surgery while using cpap with a full face mask and been successful?
I will be telling the surgeon I'm on cpap (along with the numerous ailments & all the medicines I use daily so any precautions can be addressed).
I still haven't realized obvious improvements in my day to day energy but the ahi drop from 108.5/hour to under 2/hour has to be good. The O.D. told me I probably am at the point where cataracts are affecting my overall quality of life (night time driving, seeing in low light situations) so I should probably get them (both eyes but one at a time) removed. Advice???
Thanks
R

[DoriC]

My husband just completed cartaract surgery on both eyes(2wks apart) in Sept, did very well. He wears a FF mask and even though he was required to wear a plastic shield over the affected eye for a week it did not interfere with the mask at all. He was also diagnosed with chronic dry eyes exacerbated by the small mask leaks and he was told to use Refresh Optive eye drops. I will ask about the ointment tomorrow when we go for our final checkup, sounds like that might be a better solution. Good luck

[Myolin]

I have been operated last june and my opthamologist-surgeon didn't want me to put the cpap mask for a while. Since I had an average of 0.07 I didn't put a mask for a whole month before I get too tired.
I put my mask again, a Mirage Liberty (the Hybrid is also good), it was all right and still is, no air in the eyes and the air pressure not too high in the nose.
I needed some eye ointment in the begining but now I just put drops once a day.
So I suggest to you the hybrid mask and whish you good luck.

[Julie]

Hi - had it done in April and managed without any real trouble. I wore a soft cover on lt. eye for a few nights (not days) and while my vision had to sort itself out a bit in the a.m. I had no problem because of my FF mask.

[Rob108]

Thanks all, I'm not worried about the operation at all. I just want to get it done before I have to wear what my daughter calls virtual reality glasses (the big wrap around dark plastic glasses that look like you are playing a video game ). Right now I only struggle with night time & the low light situations like when my wife asks if her outfit color choices look OK

[idamtnboy]

Right now I only struggle with night time & the low light situations like when my wife asks if her outfit color choices look OK

Tell your wife you cannot make a meaningful color judgment as you have been told cataracts distort colors. That's one of the effects of the natural lens clouding up. When I had my cataract surgery, second eye about a month after the first, this is what I saw. I could look at a pure white paper with my "old" eye and a manilla folder with my "new" eye. They were the same color! Cataracts had yellowed my world something terrific, and I had no way of knowing since both eyes progressed equally.

[StuUnderPressure]

Right now I only struggle with night time & the low light situations like when my wife asks if her outfit color choices look OK

Tell your wife you cannot make a meaningful color judgment as you have been told cataracts distort colors. That's one of the effects of the natural lens clouding up. When I had my cataract surgery, second eye about a month after the first, this is what I saw. I could look at a pure white paper with my "old" eye and a manilla folder with my "new" eye. They were the same color! Cataracts had yellowed my world something terrific, and I had no way of knowing since both eyes progressed equally.

No, the answer is "Yes Dear, they look great".

[Rob108]

My wife loves to test me (to see if I'm listening or paying attention). So far I've used moving her under a very bright light then carefully size her outfit up before I give her a kiss & hug saying she's a better judge than I. Works for me so far

[TonyG]

I had no problem using a full face mask right after cataract surgery. The patch shouldn't interfere with the mask if applied properly.