Air blown in eyes

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I wore a CPAP machine for about 2 weeks. During this time, I tried 4 different masks without success. During the 2 weeks wearing the mask, I woke with burning and bloodshot eyes, regardless of the type of mask I wore. After several Family Doctor visits, he had prescribed allergy medicine. Didn't work!

Assuming the air was externally, blowing in my eyes, I slept with swimming goggle and CPAP for 1 week, as part of troubleshooting the problem. After visiting my Sleep Doctor with my findings, she advised I was born with an anomaly which allows the air to blow thru my nose to my eyes (not external).

Has anyone experienced this issue and has had a positive outcome? If so, what type of Doctor or device that has assisted?

Total face mask:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6086962/

While not discounting what your doctor said, it is quite common for air to blow up the side of your nose into your eyes (externally). Some masks are worse than others in this respect - I found the F&P Evora eliminates the problem, though it does introduce some others. For a more conventional mask like the Resmed F20, you can limit the leaks by placing a strip of fabric or tissue over the bridge of your nose, draping down to the sides. If you get it just right, the leaks will stop. I find several layers of flannelette works very well.

Or you could try the Philips total face mask, as Nocibur recommended.

LisaG wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 10, 2025 7:02 am

During this time, I tried 4 different masks without success

I really wish people would stop doing this.

Stating you have tried 4 masks, tells us nothing. They all might interface at the bridge of your node, and therefore all prone to the same jet-stream.

What *specific* masks did you use? How did your Sleep Dr diagnose you with this anomaly?