Healio: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea who use a continuous positive airway pressure device or other nasal mask therapy device are predisposed to develop dry eye disease.
In the United States, the prevalence of sleep apnea has increased significantly in recent decades. Sleep apnea has also been associated with ocular disorders in studies.
“CPAP and NMT users may be at risk for eye and eyelid irritation secondary to airflow from mask leakage or retrograde nasolacrimal air escape,” Cynthia A. Matossian, MD, FACS, said. Over time, this might exacerbate dry eye disease (DED).
