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+--- Thread: Glaucoma: Best mask? (/Thread-Glaucoma-Best-mask)
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Glaucoma: Best mask? - Lukie - 03-05-2015
Since starting CPAP therapy my glaucoma pressures have gone from 21 in each eye to 30. Does anyone have an idea which mask would be better in this situation?
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - justMongo - 03-05-2015
There are total face masks that apply the same CPAP pressure to the external portion of the eye.
You could Google "Total face cpap mask" and find examples.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - OpalRose - 03-05-2015
(03-05-2015, 01:39 AM)Lukie Wrote: Since starting CPAP therapy my glaucoma pressures have gone from 21 in each eye to 30. Does anyone have an idea which mask would be better in this situation?
Hi Lukie,
The Respironics FitLife Mask should help with equalizing the pressure over the entire face. This is a Total Face Mask. I believe there are a few people on this board that use that mask, maby they will chime in with some advise. Also, you can check out the mask reviews section.
I myself have been considering this mask as a backup because I have trouble with my eyes being irritated most mornings from air blowing on them.
OpalRose
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - archangle - 03-05-2015
Fitlife masks should NOT be used on people with Glaucoma. It's "contraindicated" by the manufacturer.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_hc/gb_en/homehealth/sleep/fitlife/pdf/FitLifeOIS.pdf
I presume this would apply to all total face masks.
This makes sense to me. The mask would increase the pressure on the outside of your eye, which might increase the pressure between the inside of your eye and your bloodstream. When I think about it, the physics of the situation is complex, so I could see it making glaucoma, worse, better, or not affecting it at all.
The manufacturer DOES say NOT to use a total face mask if you have glaucoma. I don't know it this is a general caution because your eyes are involved, or if they have actual data on glaucoma effects with total face mask users.
By the way, don't confuse a total face mask with a full face mask. A total face mask goes over the eyes. A full face mask covers the nose and mouth.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - justMongo - 03-05-2015
I think I understand the contraindication for the total face mask. IOP depends on the outflow of fluid from the eye through a set of micro slots in the edge of the cornea. Applying pressure to the external eye would impede that fluid flow.
Good catch Archangle.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - Lukie - 03-05-2015
Well it can't get much worse than it already is. I have used nasal and full face masks for the past year and my eye pressures have gone from 20-30 in that period. So something relating to CPAP is driving up my pressures. I'll see what happens. If my pressures get even worse I'll stop using the fit life. If they get better I'll keep it. I don't think they have done enough research in this area.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - Lukie - 03-05-2015
Maybe I can wear a pair of swimming goggles under the Fit LIfe.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - woozie38 - 03-05-2015
(03-05-2015, 01:39 AM)Lukie Wrote: Since starting CPAP therapy my glaucoma pressures have gone from 21 in each eye to 30. Does anyone have an idea which mask would be better in this situation?
I am not inclined to think there is a relationship between CPAP and glaucoma. As I understand it, glaucoma is the increasing pressure of the inter-ocular fluid within the eyes. Can't see how CPAP air would affect it. Having said that, since "normal" pressure is somewhere between 9 & 14, a pressure of 30 would tend to crush the optic nerve resulting in loss of sight. I'd would advise you to see your ophthalmologist right away. Perhaps a change of eye drop is indicated. I lost the sight of one eye because of too high pressure.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - justMongo - 03-05-2015
I am going to post a link to a power point summary of a study on glaucoma, OSA and xPAP from the Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine.
http://www.stritch.luc.edu/depts/ophtha/research/PDFs/St_Alberts_Day/2011/Watson.ppt
It seems that not treating OSA puts ones eyes at risk; and using xPAP may also have ill effects. Yours to read and interpret.
Some people have increased intracranial pressure that causes GLC. Others have a problem with venting fluid at the edge of the cornea.
An option that is available to some people is surgical -- a relief in the drain mechanism of the eye.
RE: Glaucoma: Best mask? - archangle - 03-05-2015
(03-05-2015, 03:45 PM)Lukie Wrote: Maybe I can wear a pair of swimming goggles under the Fit LIfe.
That is not going to reduce the pressure on your eyes. The air under the swim goggles will be the same as the pressure under the fitlife mask.