Eyes

[Deborah K.]

My eye doc told me that my eyes are very dry. I had never noticed, but I know it is bad for your eyes, even making your vision worse. I used various drops recommended by my doc, then recently I tried something that works much better. It is Systane Nighttime Lubricant Ointment. The ingredients are simply petroleum jelly and mineral oil.

If you try it don't use the 1/4 inch strip in each eye they say to use. It is WAY too much, and will end up on much of your face. I now use just a tiny dab on the inside edge of my pinky finger. With the other hand gently slide down the skin just below your eye, and place the ointment in where the lower eyelid opens just a little. Great stuff!

[Big Guy]

The last time I had an eye appointment, I saw a visiting eye specialist. He mentioned that I had dry eyes. 

He went to a cabinet, took out a small envelope and put plugs in my tear ducts, so that my eyes would remain better lubricated. 

This whole process took a little over 1 minute, I kid you not. I had insurance and it wasn't until I got a statement from my insurance company showing what the doctor charged for that particular process. It was $552.00. 

I was very upset!! My share of that charge was like $125.00 or so. I called the eye doctors office and spoke to the office manager. I told her of my experience and what I had learned from my insurance billing. I also told her exactly how long the process took, and that the doctor didn't even give me a chance to okay the process. 

She told me that she understood and would waive the co-pay. She kind of, sort of, implied that I wasn't the first person to call and complain about the doctor. 

Anyways, I had a follow-up exam with my reg. eye doctor a few weeks later. Come to find out, one of the tear duct plugs had fallen out, and the other was only partially seated correctly. He removed that one. He told me to use some lubricating eye drops, and gave me a couple of bottles.

[SevereApnea]

Yikes! No wonder you were upset. I have heard of these plugs but have no idea if they work or not, i have heard some are self disolving. I guess your eye drops work just as well.

[Deborah K.]

I too, without knowing what they cost, had those plugs put in some years ago. I couldn't tell if they worked or not, but the price shocked me. Fortunately my insurance fully paid for them or I would have been very unhappy too. I think they do dissolve over time. I assume that is how they work, but I don't really know.

[Big Guy]

I too, without knowing what they cost, had those plugs put in some years ago.  I couldn't tell if they worked or not, but the price shocked me.  Fortunately my insurance fully paid for them or I would have been very unhappy too.  I think they do dissolve over time.  I assume that is how they work, but I don't really know.

It's billed as a "medical procedure". 

I'll never fall for that again.

[SevereApnea]

@ Deborah and Canuck 2

"Systane Nighttime Lubricant Ointment"

and

"CeraVe hand bar cleanser:

Thanks for those tips, I will see if I can find those products here locally and give them a try.

[ovmeadows]

Just had cataracts removed and mentioned to my ophthalmologist my dry right eye problem. He thinks air is going up my nasolacrimal duct.  Tried all the usual remedies over the years without success.  Mentioned the nasolacrimal duct possibility to my PA she brought it up with the polysomnographer who thinks it a mask leak, using resmed airtouch F20. 
Waiting to have a fitting session for resmed air fit F40, I think.  What's a patient to do? 

[HalfAsleep]

I also have traditionally had problems with my eyes getting bothered by CPAP air (not to mention, masks impinging on my eye sockets). However, I recently scored a Resmed F40. It's theoretically a full-face mask, but is more like a nose mask with a mouth part (hard to describe, and it doesn't fit like any of the others). Anyway, since the nose area is pretty much like the nasal pillow masks (which don't have a rep for being very leaky) and goes under the nose, it doesn't leak air in the direction of the eyes. Even better, the vent is on the attached hose, not on the mask, which means you can maneuver the hose so it's not blowing in a direction you don't want it to blow in.

So, if you'd like to do FF, my recommendation is the Resmed F40. Note that it has to be entered on your unit as a "pillows", not FF mask.

I clean my eyes every morning with baby shampoo. I also use this on my face before I go to bed (it helps with the mask seal). I also use baby shampoo to clean the mask. My optometrist got me into this habit.

I also use the special vaseline-like stuff that comes in tiny tubes for the eyes. I'm not a fan of the whole idea, but it does work. My only caveat would be that I don't think having petroleum products around a mask is a good idea. IIRC the petroleum eats silicon?

FWIW I found the masks with the hose attachment at the top of the head blast air faceward or else the exhaust vents get buried in the pillow.