RE: Glaucoma: Best mask?
I looked into this myself a few years ago as I have ocular hypertension although I'll probably get the glaucoma dx this year. I found the thread where we discussed it back then:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...e-pressure
If I remember right, the pressure on the eye from the CPAP is minimal but the oxygen benefits is far better.
Have you ever tried an oral mask? I wonder if that would do you any good?
PaulaO
Take a deep breath and count to zen.
03-06-2015, 07:34 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-06-2015, 07:40 AM by Lukie.)
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask?
No, I hate a dry mouth. I am going to try the Fit Life anyway. The pressure is distributed over the whole face instead of pinching the tear ducts and nasal sinuses. I ordered a dry eye shield from the dry eye store. This will keep my eyes from getting dry.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask?
There are several studies showing that CPAP can increase IOP, including the Loyola Study mentioned above. I just had this conversation today with my glaucoma doctor. There have been several studies with conflicting results. I tried CPAP and felt that the exertion required to exhale was uncomfortable, which made me wonder if that type of exertion could possibly increase IOP. I then found the studies. Variable PAP (also commonly called Bi-Pap) lowers the exhale pressure. I will be trying that shortly. It's a complex issue when you have both apnea and glaucoma. Lower oxygen saturation can also affect ocular perfusion pressure. AutoPap appears to be the therapy that does not increase IOP, but the Medicare coverage criteria is very explicit and does not take glaucoma into consideration, unfortunately. The other study (which you can find by doing a Google search) is "Evaluation of Intro-Ocular Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Before and After One Month of CPAP Therapy -- s. Kiekens, et al. The best scenario would be measurement of 24-hr. IOP. My glaucoma doc said it's not generally available in the US unless you can find a clinical study. That's my next search. It seems outrageous to me that we don't yet have a reasonably priced way to measure our own IOP.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask?
Don't hold your breath. I use an APAP and my pressures have gone from 20 to 30 in each eye with RESMED s9 autoset apap.
I read those articles. I don't know what to think. I guess I will just end up on drops soon.