New data finds a correlation between CPAP mask usage and the possibility of mouth bacteria invading the eye after patient has the Trabeculectomy procedure.
Important Information for Glaucoma Patients who had the Trabeculectomy or Tube Shunt Procedure for Glaucoma Treatment
Last week, new data has emerged indicating that a CPAP mask, used for sleep apnea, could promote a devastating eye infection following Trabeculectomy. It appears that very aggressive mouth bacteria can infect the eye via the airflow from the CPAP mask. If these mouth bacteria gain access into the eye it could lead to blindness and loss of the eye within one to several days!!!
Thus, if you have had Trabeculectomy (and possibly tube shunt) surgery any time in the past, we strongly advise you to stop using the CPAP mask, and contact your physician that prescribed you with the CPAP mask to explore alternatives to the CPAP mask. It is possible, but not proven, that using other types of devices for sleep apnea that do not allow air flow towards the eye at any time, may be a safer alternative.
Please note that if your glaucoma surgery was the “Trabectome” procedure or iStent implantation your risk appears to be low- equivalent to those who had a major glaucoma surgery.
