Total Face Masks and Eye Pressure

Hello..

I've been on BiPAP for about 10 years now. I don't have the working knowledge most of you do though. I know what machine and mask I have and that's about it. I see the doc every 6 months to go over my report(s), which have all been good.

No apneas while wearing the mask!

My problem is the mask itself. I've tried nasal pillows and several different types of full face masks. I couldn't deal with the nasal pillow because my pressure was so high, my mouth would just open and expel air. Pressure I believe is at 17/21.

I was given a full face mask early on, namely the Mirage Quattro. After years of noisy leaks waking me up and air blowing on my eye during the night I told my new doc I wanted to try something different. I had suggested a total face mask but he instead gave me the Quattro FX, citing a possibility of problems occurring due to pressure on my eyes during sleep with the total face mask.

Well, here I am a week or so into treatment with the Quattro FX and exactly what I told the doc was going to happen is happening. Air is leaking from the top of the mask (nasal portion) onto my left eye making for a painful (and stoned looking) eyeball.

I've tried to adjust it, but it seems the plastic that goes over the mask and connects to the head strap doesn't have much give. Also, the top straps coming down actually are so close to the bottoms of both of my eyes that I don't want to open my eyes for fear of the strap poking me.

I still want to go with the total face mask, but I would like to find out info about this "eye pressure" thing first. I haven't found anything on the Web or on manufacturer's sites at all.

I'd also like for someone that is currently wearing a total face mask (or has in the past) to chime in and let me know how you tolerated it.

Any help with this would be great! Thanks.

--Jack

P.S. - How can I retrieve and then read the different info from my machine? I see there is a small memory stick in the bag that goes into the back of the machine. What to do with it after that I don't know.

if you haven't tried mask liners, I suggest you look into them, there are several styles available, or you can just take an old tshirt and cut out a triangle a bit bigger than the mask, and cut a hole in the middle for your nose, slap it on in between your face and the mask and let it muffle any leaks.

I think he may be talking about how to keep air out of his eyes in that particular mask.

Basically, does anyone know of a problem with total face masks & an eye pressure problem? My doc specifically said there could be a problem with the amount of pressure being put on my eyes using this type of mask.

He's new, I can tell. Every time I go to the doc's office, I get a different person. It's the VA.

On the QFX, I have had the best results with using a mask one size larger than I was fitted with. This allows my mask to ride along my chin, thus keeping the mask from riding up. I have also made a chin strap, attached to the mask's lower straps, to keep the mask from riding up.

The other thing I do is tighten the lower straps until snug and slightly loosen the upper straps. This allows the air to fill the dual-walled cushion so that it fills the contours of the bridge of your nose. I also use a mask liner.

Hope this helps!

tattoohead wrote:Basically, does anyone know of a problem with total face masks & an eye pressure problem? My doc specifically said there could be a problem with the amount of pressure being put on my eyes using this type of mask.

My neuro doc has said (and I've read) that PAP use in general can cause some potential eye (intraocular) pressure problems -- I've not heard this risk associated with any one particular kind of mask though.

Hope you're not confusing what your doctor said with the fact that untreated OSA can lead to glaucoma.

Jack is asking about a mask that covers the eyes as well as the nose and mouth, a total face mask such as this: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... dgear.html He is concerned about the pressure on his eyes.

Jack, I don't know about the pressure on the eyes, but it is not very much. 10cmh2o equals about 0.14 psi.

If Sheriff Buford doesn't respond, look him up here and send him a PM:
viewtopic/p920613/memberlist.php?mode=v ... le&u=51273
I know he wore such a mask

As far as retrieving your data, your machine is data capable and can be read with ResMed's ResScan software which is available free. See threads for ResScan software on this forum. Unfortunately, the machine uses a proprietary card and card reader. These are getting harder to come by, but can occasionally be found on ebay. Generic card readers that will work are certain models of ACR38.

If the VA will give you a card reader, you would be in business.

Jay

P.S. I found this by doing a Google for "S8 card reader". It's what you need, but I don't know anything about the site: https://www.respshop.com/cpap-software/ ... p-460.html

Jack is asking about a mask that covers the eyes as well as the nose and mouth, a total face mask such as this: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respiro ... dgear.html

Had a total face mask and tried it a few nights. Many more places for it to leak and boy did it leak.

Suggest you try the Innomed Hybrid Mask. You need to get the adjustments right and somewhere on the forum is a nice write-up on how to fit and adjust.