Can CPAP cause vision problems ?

Old thread but new to me. Caught my eye (no pun intended) because I have been having worsening vision particularly in the past year & coincidentally have been on CPAP for a year.

Read the article posted. And then searched for more current articles. Good news is that CPAP therapy IMPROVES a lot of eye conditions. I feel better knowing that & since I'm not sure if I mentioned my sleep apnea to my eye doc, I will next time I go.

Chris8243 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 10:48 am

Old thread but new to me. Caught my eye (no pun intended) because I have been having worsening vision particularly in the past year & coincidentally have been on CPAP for a year.

Good news is that CPAP therapy IMPROVES a lot of eye conditions. I feel better knowing that & since I'm not sure if I mentioned my sleep apnea to my eye doc, I will next time I go.

My presbyopia started improving about 3 months into cpap therapy. Now my arms are long enough to allow me to read most things! As long as the lighting is good.

Important!
Anything you want the doctor to know should be WRITTEN DOWN
before the appointment.
A good doc will be able to READ your concerns, and add it to his notes.
Ensure nothing is forgotten or ignored.

As usual, thanks for the tips. I will be bringing this up to both my Optometrist and the Pulmonologist and be monitoring this closer myself over the coming months. I just find it very odd that my vision went downhill in the same 30 days that I started with my ASV machine. It hasn't been a slow change over time. I could see very well up until last month. Now I can't read my alarm clock that I've been looking at for years just 10-12 feet away. I have some glasses coming with my current prescription, if it continues to get worse I will be bringing it up again.

As far as what others are saying, I totally agree that ASV keeping me breathing at night and avoiding central apneas is definitely more important than minor vision corrections and I'll keep up with my nightly treatments.

Weagle wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 02, 2018 9:24 am

I just find it very odd that my vision went downhill in the same 30 days that I started with my ASV machine.

Before starting ASV, maybe you were so sleep deprived you only THOUGHT things were in focus???

Newbie to the forum here, but am an ophthalmologist so would like to weigh in. Really, this is a 2 part answer, as OSA itself is associated with various ocular disorders. OSA is associated with floppy eyelids, ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, papilledema, and retinal problems. Think of it as a circulation problem. When blood oxygenation decreases, end organ damage occurs, including in the eye. See https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/obst ... ist-s-role for more details. With that regard, because CPAP use improves oxygenation, it should help with most of these ocular problems.

The 2nd part of the answer deals more directly with OP's original question. Can the treatment for OSA (CPAP use) cause vision problems? The most common problem I see in clinical practice is dry eyes from an air leak/poor mask fit. Even with a good mask fit, someone with floppy eyelids may have their eyelids open for a prolonged period of time during sleep (imagine how your eyes would feel if you were in a staring contest for a few hours). Symptoms of irritation/dryness/blurry vision are typically worst upon waking and improve throughout the day.

There is some controversy regarding whether CPAP use increases intraocular pressure (which is a risk factor for glaucoma). There are some studies that suggest it does, and others that show it does not. This opinion piece https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5588310/ does a good job summarizing the current data out there regarding that.

Aside from the above issues, OP's issue of blurry vision could possibly be unrelated to both OSA and CPAP use. A comprehensive exam is necessary to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 1:13 pm

Important!
Anything you want the doctor to know should be WRITTEN DOWN
before the appointment.
A good doc will be able to READ your concerns, and add it to his notes.
Ensure nothing is forgotten or ignored.

Absolutely! I do this for all my doctor appointments as well as vet appointments. I am guaranteed to forget to mention at least one thing. Sometimes, the doctor will add the list to my file, if it is useful.

Last year, I was really exhausted, falling asleep after work while dinner was in the microwave. Sleeping all day on my day off. I was also having asthma problems at night that were not clearing up with medication, which was unusual, and restless legs that were really bad. I had several other issues that weren't as big and very different such as sensitive hands, feeling really cold, hiccups a lot, even eating pickles (not pregnant). I wrote everything down, hoping some of it would be related, She looked over the list and said she was going to test me for iron. It was very low. And everything on my list was related to low iron. I had written enough down to make it obvious for her with her knowledge.

I usually start my list a few days before the appointment and add things as I think of them.

mastahowie wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 02, 2018 11:57 pm

Newbie to the forum here, but am an ophthalmologist so would like to weigh in. Really, this is a 2 part answer, as OSA itself is associated with various ocular disorders. OSA is associated with floppy eyelids, ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, papilledema, and retinal problems. Think of it as a circulation problem. When blood oxygenation decreases, end organ damage occurs, including in the eye. See https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/obst ... ist-s-role for more details. With that regard, because CPAP use improves oxygenation, it should help with most of these ocular problems.

The 2nd part of the answer deals more directly with OP's original question. Can the treatment for OSA (CPAP use) cause vision problems? The most common problem I see in clinical practice is dry eyes from an air leak/poor mask fit. Even with a good mask fit, someone with floppy eyelids may have their eyelids open for a prolonged period of time during sleep (imagine how your eyes would feel if you were in a staring contest for a few hours). Symptoms of irritation/dryness/blurry vision are typically worst upon waking and improve throughout the day.

There is some controversy regarding whether CPAP use increases intraocular pressure (which is a risk factor for glaucoma). There are some studies that suggest it does, and others that show it does not. This opinion piece https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5588310/ does a good job summarizing the current data out there regarding that.

Aside from the above issues, OP's issue of blurry vision could possibly be unrelated to both OSA and CPAP use. A comprehensive exam is necessary to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Thanks for your perspective. I understand the risks for the drying eyes and don't believe that's what my issues are related to. My vision does not improve throughout the day as my eyes get more moist. I have not started taking any eye drops but will probably try that here soon to see if it helps any.

Yes, I turned 43 this year and was expecting to need glasses soon (for reading purposes) or so I was told to expect 18 years ago when I got LASIK. My concern is that instead of needing reading glasses (being farsighted?), my prescription is now saying I'm nearsighted instead. I can focus on things up close very easily, I'm losing my far sighted vision. At first I didn't think much of it, but it seems to have rapidly progressed in the last month since I started using the ASV machine. A month ago I could read things like my alarm clock across the room (about 10-12 feet away) and today I can barely do so, and need to squint to do it.

Anyways, I know this forum isn't for diagnosing issues. I was just looking for support and other's opinions. I will be following up with my local Dr's here soon.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Sun May 06, 2018 11:56 am

amyo wrote: ↑

Sat May 05, 2018 8:39 pm

Can CPAP cause vision problems ?

I hate you bumped this old thread. It might give someone who doesn't read carefully and doesn't open your link the impression that CPAP causes vision problems. To the contrary, if a sleep apnea patient doesn't use CPAP, his untreated condition can cause "floppy eyelid syndrome and normal-tension glaucoma—may be common in sleep apnea patients" - that's from the article you linked.

The article does go on to say that CPAP users should take care that their mask is not leaking into their eyes. This can cause dry eye and irritation. The user should make sure the mask does not leak into the eyes and use an eye lubricant if necessary.

Your eye doctor might serve her CPAP patients better by simply saying, "I'm glad you started using CPAP. Untreated sleep apnea can damage your eyes. Just be sure your mask doesn't leak air into your eyes causing dryness or irritation. If you have an occasional problem, I can recommend an over-the-counter eye lubricant."

It's true that research shows that untreated sleep apnea can damage the eyes, probably through low blood oxygen levels. Some research suggests that treating sleep apnea with CPAP can damage the eyes even more, perhaps from elevated intraocular pressure. Unfortunately there's little research on this and docs assume CPAP has no serious side effects

howardwcampbelljr wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 26, 2020 10:59 am

Some research suggests that treating sleep apnea with CPAP can damage the eyes even more, perhaps from elevated intraocular pressure.

------------------>

Normal IOP nyctohemeral rhythm is lost in most patients with severe apnea. IOP changes induced by CPAP are explained by restoring normal IOP rhythm rather than by a deleterious effect of CPAP.
Pepin (2010)

Weagle wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 03, 2018 9:28 am

mastahowie wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 02, 2018 11:57 pm

Newbie to the forum here, but am an ophthalmologist so would like to weigh in. Really, this is a 2 part answer, as OSA itself is associated with various ocular disorders. OSA is associated with floppy eyelids, ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, papilledema, and retinal problems. Think of it as a circulation problem. When blood oxygenation decreases, end organ damage occurs, including in the eye. See https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/obst ... ist-s-role for more details. With that regard, because CPAP use improves oxygenation, it should help with most of these ocular problems.

The 2nd part of the answer deals more directly with OP's original question. Can the treatment for OSA (CPAP use) cause vision problems? The most common problem I see in clinical practice is dry eyes from an air leak/poor mask fit. Even with a good mask fit, someone with floppy eyelids may have their eyelids open for a prolonged period of time during sleep (imagine how your eyes would feel if you were in a staring contest for a few hours). Symptoms of irritation/dryness/blurry vision are typically worst upon waking and improve throughout the day.

There is some controversy regarding whether CPAP use increases intraocular pressure (which is a risk factor for glaucoma). There are some studies that suggest it does, and others that show it does not. This opinion piece https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5588310/ does a good job summarizing the current data out there regarding that.

Aside from the above issues, OP's issue of blurry vision could possibly be unrelated to both OSA and CPAP use. A comprehensive exam is necessary to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Thanks for your perspective. I understand the risks for the drying eyes and don't believe that's what my issues are related to. My vision does not improve throughout the day as my eyes get more moist. I have not started taking any eye drops but will probably try that here soon to see if it helps any.

Yes, I turned 43 this year and was expecting to need glasses soon (for reading purposes) or so I was told to expect 18 years ago when I got LASIK. My concern is that instead of needing reading glasses (being farsighted?), my prescription is now saying I'm nearsighted instead. I can focus on things up close very easily, I'm losing my far sighted vision. At first I didn't think much of it, but it seems to have rapidly progressed in the last month since I started using the ASV machine. A month ago I could read things like my alarm clock across the room (about 10-12 feet away) and today I can barely do so, and need to squint to do it.

Anyways, I know this forum isn't for diagnosing issues. I was just looking for support and other's opinions. I will be following up with my local Dr's here soon.

Im actually having the exact same problem, I noticed blurry vison way up at the end of the yard, went to the eye doctor and they gave me glasses but said I didn't need them for driving yet

At the same time I was wondering why I went from 20/20 no problems to suddenly blurry vison, i knew something was wrong in my sleep but ignored it for years so decided to get tested for sleep apena, turns out i have sevre sleep apena.

Anyway I started cpap therapy, every 2 to 3 months my blurry vison at range kept getting closer, I went back to the eye doctor so many times they eventually said I had dry eye and mild blepharitis, floppy eyelid syndrome.

However every 2 to 3 months my blurry vison without glases has kept getting worse

I've been on 5 months of treatment for dry eyes

Heat mask day and night.
2x eye drops
1x allergy drop
Oitment befor bed
Moister chamber goggles
Omega 3 /A supplements

And I haven't had a single improvement only gradually working blurry vison.

About a year and a couple now and the blurry vison has progressed right up close and still progressing

When i lay down and use cpap I can feel pressure in my eye there are no mask leaks I've tried multiple and used masks to protect the eyes, ever since cpap therapy I wake up every 1 to 2 hours, and when I do I always see bright rainbows and even pain in both eyes now common symptoms of dry eye I know, i use eye drops but 70% of the time rainbows doesn't go away.

By morning after ive woken up several times and get out of bed within 30 mins my right eye pain goes away and my left continues on like it always has, my eye irration and redness has never gone away. Specialist have done OCT scan and checked the nerves they haven't mentioned anything.

Now last night I feel asleep accidentally without my cpap machine, not only did I sleep longer then normal, but I didn't see rainbows or have pain in my right eye besides discomfort for not putting in my dry eye stuff. STRANGE

At this point I'm very suspicious of the cpap machine I've been on it soon after my original eye problem, I need to test falling asleep without the machine again soon, after I loose the rest of my weight I was 120kg when I got diagnosed I'm now 93kg gonna get down to 80 to 85 and get retested.

I need to bring it up again to my speclist as well.