Moisture chamber glasses

About dry eye glasses and sunglasses: Dry eye glasses and sunglasses - also called Moisture Chamber Glasses - have been a symptom management staple amongst severe dry eye patients for a very long time.

What are they? 

Any glasses or sunglasses that have some kind of lining or shield designed to fill the gap between the frame and your face, so that the eye area is completely enclosed. Many are sports wrap sunglasses with foam on the frame or on a removable gasket. One brand, Ziena Eyewear, makes glasses with a more discreet silicone shield so that they can be worn indoors and in the workplace without looking too "goggly".

How do they work?

They block wind, drafts, heat and air conditioning, all of which make your tear film break up quickly, so that your tear film will stay intact longer. They create a more humid environment immediately around your eyes, so that your eyes don't suffer the effects of low relative humidity.

Who would want to wear them? 

Almost any dry eye patient in pain or any kind of discomfort that significantly disrupts their activities can benefit. Moisture chamber glasses are often the quickest, easiest and safest way to get more comfortable. They do not replace medical treatment, but they do improve quality of life. They are particularly beneficial

(a) in challenging environments dry climates, air conditioned offices, outdoors in wind and

(b) during activities requiring visual focus, especially computer work, because of the reduced blink rate that accompanies these activities.