CPAP and Glaucoma

[Lukie]

I have been on CPAP since December and my intraocular pressures have gone from 21 to 25 which is close to glaucoma levels. I read this article stating CPAP can increase eye pressures. So can sleep apnea, so one is damned if they do and damned if they don't here.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18326715

[Lukie]

Sorry, I posted the wrong article.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Mar;49(3):934-40. doi: 10.1167/iovs.06-1418.
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy is associated with an increase in intraocular pressure in obstructive sleep apnea.
Kiekens S, Veva De Groot, Coeckelbergh T, Tassignon MJ, van de Heyning P, Wilfried De Backer, Verbraecken J.
Author information
Abstract
PURPOSE:
Several reports have demonstrated an association between glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), though the origin of this association remains unknown. In the present study, the influence of OSA and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) was examined.
METHODS:
IOP, blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured every 2 hours during 24-hour sessions in 21 patients with newly diagnosed OSA. A first series of measurements was performed before CPAP therapy, and a second series was performed 1 month after the initiation of CPAP therapy. OPP was then calculated.
RESULTS:
Baseline measurements showed a significant nycththemeral fluctuation in the average IOP, with the highest IOPs at night. After 1 month of CPAP therapy, the average IOP was significantly higher than baseline. The increase in overnight IOP was also significantly higher. A 24-hour IOP fluctuation of > or =8 mm Hg was found in 7 patients at baseline and in 12 patients during CPAP therapy. The mean difference between trough and peak IOP was 6.7 +/- 1.5 mm Hg at baseline and 9.0 +/- 2.0 mm Hg during CPAP therapy. Thirty minutes after CPAP cessation a significant decrease in IOP was recorded. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean OPP during CPAP therapy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with OSA demonstrated significant 24-hour IOP fluctuations, with the highest values at night. CPAP therapy causes an additional IOP increase, especially at night. Regular screening of visual fields and the optic disc is warranted for all patients with OSA, especially those treated with CPAP.

[Goofproof]

I have learned not to sweat the small stuff, if I die from not using my xpap, the pressure will go down but I still won't be able to see.

If you want to play with it there's eye drops to lower the pressure, I didn't like them. Jim

[Kitatonic]

I have been on CPAP since December and my intraocular pressures have gone from 21 to 25 which is close to glaucoma levels. I read this article stating CPAP can increase eye pressures. So can sleep apnea, so one is damned if they do and damned if they don't here.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18326715

What were your previous intraocular pressures (IOP)? Mine went from 13 to 18, but the lower number was always with the puff test which tends to underestimate IOP. This year, my IOP was 16, with the more reliable method, so is it going down with continued PAP?
At least now, higher IOP can be treated with eye drops before the optic nerve, and hence visual fields are narrowed.

[chunkyfrog]

Besides the different eye drops for glaucoma (many of which are generic), there is also laser surgery.
I am considering medical MJ, (which my ophthalmologist says is effective) if and when it becomes legal in my state.

[Lukie]

The 25 is with the puff test.

[Hawthorne]

My Optometrist admitted to not knowing a lot about cpap but said that anything that keeps the oxygen moving well in your body is good and helpful for the eyes. I have been on cpap since 2002 and have a yearly eye check. I am 74 years old and no eye problems yet.

[sleeplessinaz]

I have been on CPAP since 2007 and get an extensive eye exam once a year since I have diabetes. My pressure has always been 16 in both eyes - no changes noted.