More about eyes & leaks

I have read a lot off an on about air leaking into the eyes. Some say that air can travel through the sinus cavity into the eyes. I recently asked my opthamologist about that and he said no because there is a valve (somewhere) in there that won't allow the air to enter the eyes. Has anyone else been told this?

There is a valve, but I'm not convinced it can withstand the pressures CPAP uses. I'd like to see some peer reviewed study about this.

But, I sure don't want to participate in any study to measure this

I saw a guy on TV making his tear glands squirt--ask him.

izzyb wrote:I have read a lot off an on about air leaking into the eyes. Some say that air can travel through the sinus cavity into the eyes. I recently asked my opthamologist about that and he said no because there is a valve (somewhere) in there that won't allow the air to enter the eyes. Has anyone else been told this?

You need a new doc who is up to date. Do some searching and you will find it on the net - my computer crash
meant I lost a lot of links I had.

chunkyfrog wrote:I saw a guy on TV making his tear glands squirt--ask him.

Now was that answer helpful.

izzyb

Yep, there's a valve, according to my excellent eye doctor. But those valves aren't designed to withstand cpap-force winds, even if they're in optimum condition. Since it appears that I currently have zero body parts in optimum condition, I don't expect the tiny valves are doing me much good!

I would like to throw my hat into the "the valves can't tolerate CPAP pressures" pile. I almost always wake up with terribly dry eyes. I too believe some air is leaking through my tear drain ducts and into my eyes. At the very least the CPAP pressure prevents tears and other natural eye lubricants from draining into the sinuses. Interesting picture showing the anatomy of the duct and the valve is here http://www.revophth.com/index.asp?page=1_13965.htm.

Thanks for the input everyone. It makes sense that a strong pressure might cause the valve to not work as effectively. Maybe some day they will get around to studying this more. I have dry eyes that are very sensitive to air and chemical fumes. It has gotten worse over the last two years or so and since I started bi-pap about three years ago, and I had read posts about this, I wonder if that is what has caused my eyes to get worse. I try to make sure my mask is not leaking around my eyes, of course (but you guys know that old song and dance), but there is nothing that can be done about the air on the inside. I think I am going to try this new mask my doctor showed me on the computer (don't remember the name). It has nasal pillows and covers the mouth, but nothing near the eyes.

Izzyb