RE: Dry eyes and CPAP
I have suffered from dry eye for years to the point that I have had corneal ulcers on several occasions. I don’t have air regurgitation from my lacrimal ducts but my ophthalmologist has confirmed it is a real issue for some.
Dry eye is very common and difficult to treat effectively. Fortunately one of the top corneal specialists in the country is 1.5 hours from me so I’ve had the benefit of his expertise. In addition to standard eyed drops like Systane, (I have found store brands with the same active ingredients work just as well). I have found other things that help a lot.
1) Omega 3 fish oil supplements improve the quality of tears.
2) Warm moist compresses on the eyes for about 3 minutes at least twice a day improves quality of tears. A moist cloth will work but I like a reusable product from Amazon called Thermalon Dry Eye Compress. There is a similar product called Medibeads that costs 3X as much. I have purchased both and they are exactly the same.
3) For nighttime a sodium chloride 5 % ophthalmic ointment gives the best protection. My Dr. recommended Muro 128 but I found an Akorn product on Amazon that is 1/3 less.
4) There is a new prescription product called Xiidra that is very effective. It’s also very expensive (retail about $500 for a 30 day supply). I’m on a 30 day free trial now. It will cost around $80/month after insurance. Haven’t decided if I will go with it or not but after 2 weeks I can attest it works.
5) Restasis prescription drops have been around for years. Also expensive but not as pricey as Xiidra; also not as effective.
That’s my 2 cents. If you have serious dry eye problems you may want to consider some or all.
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RE: Dry eyes and CPAP
I have an eye doc appt in a few weeks. I'm going to bring this up to him. I have dry eye issues and add in the CPAP, my left eye hates me.
PaulaO
Take a deep breath and count to zen.
RE: Dry eyes and CPAP
Kryogen -
How do you like the product ? Do you use it at night, during the day, both? How does it compare to Systane gel if perhaps you have tried that?
Happy Pappin'
Never Give In, Never Give Up
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.
RE: Dry eyes and CPAP
I believe air leakage through the eyes is precisely why the Resipronics FitLife mask exists. Because it covers the eyes as well you won't have air leakage through the eyes. Maybe swim goggles would do the same thing.
RE: Dry eyes and CPAP
My wife has dry eyes and her cornea specialist was the one who really flagged on it. He asked if she had been diagnosed with sleep apnea as one of the symptoms often seen with SA is fluttering eyelids. The eyelids don't stay closed long enough to really protect the eye and keep moisture on the cornea and fluttering actually dries them out (think windshield wipers). BTW, her cornea specialist is also an internist.
My wife uses restasis and Rentinue MGD several times a day as well as a drop such as Systane. The restasis and retinue come in single dose units and we are looking at getting systane the same way. The mother ship (company with the smile on the box) has both available on a subscription which saves you a lot of money. She usually keeps a couple of each of the units in her pill purse.
Homer