CRUST around eyes?? From CPAP?

[footballgirl13]

I'm not that old - I'm not 90. I know that some crust perhaps in corner of my eyes may be normal for someone that is 40. But since 2 weeks ago I've noticed significant increase in the amount of crust that is around my eyes when I wake up in the morning. It is in the corner. It is on the bottom lid. Both eyes.

My eyes don't itch and don't burn and I know what pink eye feels like since I've had it before when I was 23. It was horrible! I couldn't even open up my eye - my entire eye was closed shut due to all of the crust. I don't have pink eye.

Is there a way CPAP could be causing this increase in crust on my eyes if there are air leaks on my mask . . . .or if the exhale port is blowing air upwards towards my eyes . . . . (which it does blow air up since I can swivel my hose upside down - I don't like it going upside down since I don't like the air going up. Ever. But when I sleep it may swivel on it's own).

[palerider]

I'm not that old - I'm not 90. I know that some crust perhaps in corner of my eyes may be normal for someone that is 40..

perhaps you've forgotten that 'crust' is something that everybody at all ages get, 'sleepy sand' was what it was called when I was a little kid. bit of excess tears, dries... sand.

[Minky]

Google blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelid. Flare ups are very easily treated with prescription ointment. My ophthalmologist writes me a prescription every year with refills. I'm 45 and have had it my whole life, but just found out what it was two years ago when it flared and my eyelid rubbed on my eyeball to the point that it caused a corneal ulcer, WORST pain of my life.

If this is what you have, as long as you treat flare ups it will be little more than an irritation.

[BlackSpinner]

Yes it is.

Leaks can be subtle or air bouncing off of pillows/bedding. Wet your eyes when you wear the mask and see if they become cold - that is how I found out mine leaked - the cols wet cloth I was using for my migraine got colder.

But the leak can come up a the channel that lets your tears go into your nasal passages - in other words there is a connection between your nose and eyes - it is supposed to be one only but not for all people. If this is what is happening you need to see an ophthalmologist.

[Krelvin]

It is normal for people to have. If you are having a lot more of it, you need to get checked.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php ... r-eyes-is/

[Tatooed Lady]

You could also just have dry eyes...when I got my eyes checked, the doc said I should try some tear replacement drops (NOT Visine, etc). I gave him the hairy eyeball, and said, "but my eyes WATER in the morning. Why would I want to ADD tears??" But...I guess he was right. So, I would imagine if my eyes started to overproduce tears at night, I would wake up all crusty (eew?) and need more drops. Because I tried the drops after he suggested them, and they seemed to work, even though it doesn't seem logical.

[chunkyfrog]

As long as the crust only happens at that end . . .

[OkyDoky]

You could also just have dry eyes...when I got my eyes checked, the doc said I should try some tear replacement drops (NOT Visine, etc). I gave him the hairy eyeball, and said, "but my eyes WATER in the morning. Why would I want to ADD tears??" But...I guess he was right. So, I would imagine if my eyes started to overproduce tears at night, I would wake up all crusty (eew?) and need more drops. Because I tried the drops after he suggested them, and they seemed to work, even though it doesn't seem logical.

There are 2 types of dry eyes one has less tear production and the other doesn't have the right combination of tear chemistry. The second one causes watery eyes. Go figure. I have the dry eyes first type and use Refresh Optive tears. As TL said not Visine or the cheap eye drops. It's a good idea for everyone with SA to have an eye exam by an opthomologist. http://www.aao.org/aao/publications/eye ... pearls.cfm

[ElvishKnight]

I have the same problems with excessive crusty eyes when i wake up from time to time. I just blame it on allergies. My wife will tell me i need to take my contacts out for a while and rest them.

[library lady]

I also have blepharitis; the "crust" stays away if I wash my eyelids a couple times a week with baby shampoo diluted with a bit of water... this is what my primary care doc told me to do and it has become part of shower routine. It works, but it might be a good idea to check with your primary care doc as there could be another cause for it; I don't think cpap use has anything to do with it. the blepharitis has been with me for longer than I've used cpap.

[herefishy]

Anybody cover their eyes to keep the drafts out? Would you just tape some gauze from forehead to cheek? Would you wet it first?

[herefishy]

Just got back from the eye doctor and am scheduled with a plastic surgeon to do an unblocking of my tear duct - not a real simple procedure. If you have a discharge from your tear duct, go to the doctor.

[footballgirl13]

You could also just have dry eyes...when I got my eyes checked, the doc said I should try some tear replacement drops (NOT Visine, etc). I gave him the hairy eyeball, and said, "but my eyes WATER in the morning. Why would I want to ADD tears??" But...I guess he was right. So, I would imagine if my eyes started to overproduce tears at night, I would wake up all crusty (eew?) and need more drops. Because I tried the drops after he suggested them, and they seemed to work, even though it doesn't seem logical.

There are 2 types of dry eyes one has less tear production and the other doesn't have the right combination of tear chemistry. The second one causes watery eyes. Go figure. I have the dry eyes first type and use Refresh Optive tears. As TL said not Visine or the cheap eye drops. It's a good idea for everyone with SA to have an eye exam by an opthamologist. http://www.aao.org/aao/publications/eye ... pearls.cfm

I wear glasses since age 4. I was told to get something for dry eyes back in Dec 2013, but never got them since I had to pay out of pocket and without working (and I mean also not getting unemployment) I just couldn't afford to send $10 on artificial tears. Not when I was getting $70 a month. Once I find part-time work and earn $600 a month I'll be able to do this. But I thought the dry eye thing was inside the eyes not on the outside eye lid.

I see my primary on Feb 19th so I can beg him to send me to a ENT so I can address this ear pain. It was here - then went away. Now it is bad again. Don't know why it comes and go. At least that full feeling in my ears is gone. Now I'm only dealing with pain. By the time I see the ENT - around March or I may need to wait until April - I may be working by them. May be if I'm working I won't feel the pain. I know I didn't feel any pain in my ears during my last job.

I'm hoping that my weight loss will be the cultrip that helps me to change my life. If I lose the weight (30 pounds) I may not need the sleep mask or CPAP. I didn't need it at 170 pounds. Only when I got to 190 pounds is when I noticed a big change in my tiredness. My target date is Aug 20th.

[chunkyfrog]

Artificial tears (not the fancy-schmantzy lubricant) can be gotten for under $2 at Wal Mart.
Most of the time, that's all I need.

[headache1]

Happened all the time to me using my regular pillow. I finally purchased a CPAP pillow and to my suppress it helped with my matting shut eye crap.I have found using artificial tears or even using eye gel at night beneficial.
Follow up with a physician if problem continues.