Dry, Crusty Eyes Since Starting
Dry, Crusty Eyes Since Starting
Since starting my treatments in January, I have noticed dry eyes, light crust in corners in the mornings. I am using an S9 Autoset with H5i Humidifier and Swift FX nasal pillows. The initial settings were 6 to 11 on the Autoset and they started me at 75deg on the humidifier. I turned the humidifier down to 73deg and eventually down to 70deg as it seemed as if my nose was running when I first laid down until I went to sleep. At 70deg, this tended to go away. I had my one month follow-up with the doctor two weeks ago. I mentioned this situation to her and I know the eyes drain into the throat and was curious if this was normal when you pressurized the airway? She said this was not a normal issue and most people turn up the temperature on the humidifier instead of down. She really doesn't want me to use eyedrops as she says dry eyes can cause other problems. She changed the settings from 6 to 9 on the Autoset, as 9 was my optimal number and was where the average was staying. She wanted me to try the temperature back at 75deg with the pressure turned down and see what happened for a couple of weeks. She said that we may try to go to a nasal mask instead of the pillows as they may be pushing air straight up towards the eyes. I have turned the temp back down to 73deg and still have the sensation that my nose is running when I first lay down. I am still having the condition with the eyes. I am curious as to whether anyone else has experienced this and what they did to resolve it? When we tried a nasal mask during the sleep study, it didn't seal due to my moustache. I want to be as comfortable as possible and I have adjusted well to the nasal pillows. I am also using Simply Saline and Ayr Gel every night as she said to help flush any allergens that my nose filtered during the day and to provide moisture as well. She was wondering if it wasn't an allergy issue rather than a pressure issue. Just looking for any suggestions or options before I call her back and try the nasal mask. Thanks in advance for the help.
Re: Dry, Crusty Eyes Since Starting
I have dry eyes and use Refresh PM gel at night. You put it in your eyes at bedtime and it keeps them moist all night long. (over the counter item)
I also use a mask over my eyes so that air from cpap mask exhaust vents will not blow directly into my eyes and dry them out further. As you may know, when we close our eyes for sleep, they don't always remain closed 100% and air from cpap mask can blow into the little bit they may be open. If that happens all night long your eyes will be dry. If they are dry, you may produce more mucous to try to hydrate them, hence the leakage/crust.
I also use a mask over my eyes so that air from cpap mask exhaust vents will not blow directly into my eyes and dry them out further. As you may know, when we close our eyes for sleep, they don't always remain closed 100% and air from cpap mask can blow into the little bit they may be open. If that happens all night long your eyes will be dry. If they are dry, you may produce more mucous to try to hydrate them, hence the leakage/crust.
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Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Backup & Travel Machines: PR System One Bipap Auto, S9 VPAP Auto, S9 Autoset, Oximeter CMS-50E |
Diagnosed March 2011, using APAP 14 - 16.5 cm, AFlex+ 2
Alt masks Swift FX pillows, Mirage FX nasal mask, Mirage Quattro full face mask
Alt masks Swift FX pillows, Mirage FX nasal mask, Mirage Quattro full face mask