At least 2-3 times a month I will wake up with one half of one of my eyes bright red. And this morning not only was it bright red, but I had a headache right above that eye. I am wondering what is causing this. It's definitely related to my mask, never happened before I started using this. I don't think that air is leaking into my eyes, because that part of the mask is usually nice and tight.  

Any thoughts?


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ResMed S8 Elite / ResMed Quattro Mirage full face mask
Pressure 19
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Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.
Fran Lebowitz

I have the same problem and I'm using the same mask.  My most serious problem, however, is the pain on the bridge of my nose.  Do you have the same trouble?  My forehead is also sore, almost like bruised.  Wish I could use nasal pillows, but my VPAP requires a full face mask, blah!


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Forneyfrau
From Forney, TX
Resmed Adapt SV with Resmed Quattro FF Mask
AHI 93
Primary Central Apnea
Diagnosed 4/8/2008

I also have the same CPAP machine, a ResMed Elite S8, and use an Ultra Mirage 431 full face mask. I'm new to this (about 3 weeks) so don't really know what to expect.
Unless I cinch down the straps very tight, my mask leaks, almost every night. It's usually around the chin but sometimes around the bridge of my nose.
My eyes seem to always be puffy now and red, which I assume is from the mask and air leaking out. From reading the posts on this site I'm going to ask if I can use the Mirage Liberty. Does anyone know of any reason why I wouldn't be able to use one? The pressure my machine is set on is 14.


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We can't change the wind, but we can adjust the sails!

Isn't there a poem that goes something like this:

Red eyes at night, sailors' delight.
Red eyes at dawn, knight takes pawn.

I don't have the bridge of nose problem, never had any problem there. I have had leaks when I first started at the mask near the corners of my mouth, but don't have that anymore. The only thing now is the red eye issue. Which is really annoying. People at work are asking me what's wrong with my eye a lot, and I don't necessarily have an answer (even if I explain apnea & the mask, most don't get the whole thing with air flying in our eyes).


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ResMed S8 Elite / ResMed Quattro Mirage full face mask
Pressure 19
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Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.
Fran Lebowitz

There was  a poster here a while back, George something , who had a similar problem. after months of problems, he ended up with a serious corneal abrasion.  Somehow, the air was getting into his eye from the inside out. Don't let this go, get it checked by an Opthomologist, corneal problems are not fun.  Virginia


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Resmed elite , 17, mirage quattro ff . 25 + years of untreated OSA

I was told that if I'm getting marked up, my mask is probably too tight. I did loosen it up, no more marked up bridge of my nose, no more lines on my cheeks. I was getting a sore under my nose, but slid the mask down a hair which helped.

I have one of those jobs where health concerns are hazardous to promotions, so I can't let on that I have a problem, period. I'm using a moisturizer on my face in the morning, the skin around my nose was getting dry.

Rob

Try an eye lubricant for night use.  May help.

wheezer wrote:

Try an eye lubricant for night use.  May help.

I had what is called a "recurring corneal erosion" long before CPAP.  Sometimes if the position is right my mask elbow will shoot air towards my eye and I will wake up with eye pain.

I still use the "eye lube" on occasion...it's called Muro 128 by Bausch & Lomb.  It's available at every pharmacy, non-prescription and has no drugs in it.  It just basically keeps your eyes moist all night.  The only downside is once you put it in, the world becomes very foggy!  It's also not cheap, but it lasts a very long time as you use just a tiny bit in each eye nightly.

For all you fellow suffering degenerates stuck on cpap,  don't discount the possibility that air is getting into your eyes through blown tear ducts. Even a perfect seal on your mask can be bypassed so unless you have your ducts plugged or cauterized, the ointment is the only answer.
My ointment of choice is Allegan Refresh --- may give the B&L a try.

LaPopessa wrote:

At least 2-3 times a month I will wake up with one half of one of my eyes bright red. And this morning not only was it bright red, but I had a headache right above that eye. I am wondering what is causing this. It's definitely related to my mask, never happened before I started using this. I don't think that air is leaking into my eyes, because that part of the mask is usually nice and tight.  

Any thoughts?

Dear LaPopessa:

Yes, I have some thoughts on your problem.

I, too, was having eye problems until I changed masks.  Initially, I had loved my Resmed Quattro full face mask, but after about four months of using it  I found that, no matter what, the mask usually,during the night, ended up encroaching on my right eye.  In addition, air was often blown into my eye from a leak.  I also had soreness at the forehead pressure area and on my nose so I had to start using moleskin patches every night.

Anyway, it was time to get a new mask (6 months) via my insurance co. so I decided to try something that would not come near my eye, would not bother my forehead or nose.  I tried the ResMed Liberty (a hybrid full mouth mask with nasal pillows).  I had tried it earlier in my CPAP life and had not been able to tolerate it then, but now I was tougher and more motivated.  Needless to say, I LOVE IT!!  I have gotten the best nights' sleep ever with it!!  Last night I didn't wake up even once!  When I finally did wake up this morning, I felt something pressing against my forehead and thought maybe the Liberty mask had slid upwards - but it turned out that I had fallen asleep before I could remove my glasses.   I had slept all night peacefully with my glasses on!

The trick to using the Liberty mask is to not overly tighten the upper straps leading from the nasal pillows.  You don't want to have the pillows pressing tightly into your nostrils.  They should just be there - with no pressure on the nose.  If you have leaks with the mask, tighten the lower straps.  Since there is not a large mask area, there are practically no leaks and if a leak develops, tightening a lower strap does the job.  Also, it is important to get the right sized nasal pillows.  I believe they come in small, medium, and large.  After the air flow begins, you may need to slightly adjust and reposition the nasal pillows so there is air flow into the nose.

The weakest part of the Liberty's design is the straps which are somewhat cumbersome at first to use.  But you'll get used to them.

I love waking up now with no mask marks on my face whatsoever with the Liberty mask!! What a joy!!  My right eye feels much better now too!!

I am a mouth breather who does not like air going up my nose, but the nasal air flow with the LIberty mask is really minor league - at first I noticed it, but then it was like nothing.  With the Liberty, you can remain essentially a mouth breather and you can be way more comfortable in the night and in the morning!!

I hope this solves your problem!  It did mine!!

Breathless