Dry Eye Problems

[sewsleepy]

Over the years, I have developed severely dry eyes and it's to the point where just the gentle air movement around my cpap mask is really irritating it. My eye doctor did a test where he put strips in my eyes for a certain amount of time to see how dry they are and they were bad. When I told him I use cpap, he said, "Good luck with that."

So, I've been reading posts here about various goggles and looking them up. I seriously can't picture how they would work if you sleep on your side, which I do, and they seem to be finicky and have a lot of complaints about breaking and are really expensive. And how do they not put a lot of pressure around your eyes? Do they leave marks?

Is anybody using anything that really helps? I'm kind of at the end of my rope here.

[sewsleepy]

Oh, and just to add, I already use a night-time ointment for dry eyes. It helps but doesn't solve the problem.

[Pugsy]

Have you tried the P10 nasal pillow mask? The vented air is so diffused it's next to impossible for it to make it up to the eye area by bouncing off anything.

[sewsleepy]

Oh, I do have the P10. Sorry, I see I need to update my sig!
Okay, done.
The P10 is good with directing the exhaust but I still do get some air movement around my face. It's the best fit of nasal pillow I've tried but I still have a slight problem with the seal at times. My right nare has kind of a slight notch at the outside corner and it tends to leak there. Not badly, it doesn't even show up in my stats as a leak, but my eyes feel it.

[USMCVet]

Have you tried a sleep mask? You know the soft fabric thing that goes over your eyes and blocks out light?

[sewsleepy]

Thanks, yes I have tried a sleep mask. The air blows right under it.

[chunkyfrog]

Check out the dry eye shop.com
Neat goggles/masks--some with wettable pads inside to keep your eye area humid.
Your "eye doctor" is a moron. Or is he just an optometrist?
See an ophthalmologist instead.

[sewsleepy]

I've been looking at the dry eye shop. Was hoping to hear if anyone had used these products and they were working for them?
My eye doc is an opthalmologist! I was pretty confounded with his attitude but I took it to mean, eyes as dry as mine and cpap are an unfortunate combination I just wish he had had some kind of suggestions at least.

[Bhhowie]

I have really dry eyes. To the point that my vision was effected. My Eye Dr was a little more helpful. He tried putting in plugs in my tear ducts.
After trying a few masks I was ready to go to a full face piece.
Someone told me to try "CPAP Gel Mask Leak Sealer" I bought it from Dr Leonards the first time, now I use Amazon.
It works great, keeping the exhalation flow pointing toward my belly helps too.
Higher humidity did not seem to matter.
Good luck

[booksfan]

I've been looking at the dry eye shop. Was hoping to hear if anyone had used these products and they were working for them?
My eye doc is an opthalmologist! I was pretty confounded with his attitude but I took it to mean, eyes as dry as mine and cpap are an unfortunate combination I just wish he had had some kind of suggestions at least.

I started having serious dry eye issues last year after starting on CPAP. I saw an ophthalmologist who put in punctal plugs, patted me on the head and sent me on my way . My eyes got so bad this spring that I was pretty much unable to function. I couldn't drive, had trouble watching TV, knitting, reading... I found a dry eye specialist who is wonderful, but my eyes have gotten so bad it is going to be a difficult improvement. One of the things I am using is the Eyeseals 4.0 from the Dry Eye Shop. What a difference they have made! I no longer use gel ointment at night (I do use my Rx drops). The Eyeseals do not seal completely around my face (I do not have it adjusted tightly), but apparently the seal is good enough. There are moisture droplet inside the cups in the morning and my eyes feel so much better. I will say that the one downside is after a few blissful months of no CPAP strap around my head that needed adjustment throughout the night (straps just do NOT stay put on my flat head and silky hair!) after switching to the Bleep, I am now adjusting the Eyeseal strap! I am able to sleep on my side and stomach wearing both the bleep and the eyeseals. I've been using the eyeseals for almost 3 months.

[weroberts75]

started having serious dry eye issues last year after starting on CPAP. I saw an ophthalmologist who put in punctal plugs, patted me on the head and sent me on my way .

I had punctal plugs put in several years ago, but I had them removed after increased redness and irritation led me to believe that allergens were building up in my eyes.
I can't honestly say for sure what the cause was, but my eyes improved after removing the plugs and allowing my tears to drain naturally.