Side effects are a common drawback to medical treatments. From pills to medical devices, side effects can be caused by many things. Unfortunately in the case of some side effects, the benefits of the treatment outweigh the issues caused by side effects, and as a result, patients must simply adapt to these often uncomfortable changes.In the case of sleep apnea, treating this condition with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy comes with its own set of side effects in some people. Aside from the mask and machinery often being considered awkward and downright uncomfortable, a new study has found that CPAP therapy may cause a condition called dry eye disease, or DED.Dry eye disease has many causes, including inflammation of the body. It can also be caused by some medications that patients with sleep apnea may be on already, such as antidepressants. But this new study focused on dry eye disease and CPAP therapy. It seems that leaked air from the machine or nasolacrimal air escape may cause dry eyes and other ocular problems.Dry eye disease can be very uncomfortable, and cause itching, redness, and dryness to the eyes. While it can be treated, there are other solutions to dry eye disease, including switching from CPAP therapy to another form of sleep apnea solution.Here at the clinic, Dr. Peterson offers mandibular sleep apnea orthotic devices which are custom fit to your individual mouth, and position the airway open naturally, without the use of CPAP therapy, masks, or machinery.Though these devices may not help with dry eye disease caused by other factors than your CPAP machine such as medications or inflammation, they can certainly help to prevent dry eye caused by CPAP therapy.If you use CPAP therapy and are experiencing dry eye, you could be suffering from dry eye disease. Speak to your physician or optometrist about possible solutions, which may include using moisturizing eye drops. If you are ready to say goodbye to CPAP therapy and experience the convenience and comfort of a sleep orthotic, contact Dr. Peterson’s office today and schedule a consultation.