Moisture Retaining Eyewear

What is it?

Moisture-retaining eyewear (also called moisture chamber glasses) means any glasses, goggles
or sunglasses incorporating a moisture shield or seal that fills all or part of the gap between the frame and
the skin. This shield creates a protected, humid, but not airtight chamber around the eyes.

Who can benefit?

Virtually all dry eye patients benefit from this type of eyewear outdoors, and most
people with severe dry eye symptoms benefit indoors, particularly in office environments and during computer
use. Eyewear is, in fact, the only almost universally effective dry eye tool I know of, which is why I place
such emphasis on it. A compromised tear film, no matter what the cause, cannot perform its protective role,
so its benefits are entirely independent of the type or cause of dry eye. Moisture retaining eyewear often
enables people to return to work or leisure activities in relative comfort as a palliative tool to be used in
parallel with any medical treatments you are undergoing.

How does it work?

1. The moisture shield blocks airflow over the eyes. This
is important because moving air, from wind outdoors
to ceiling fans to the slight air movements when you
walk across a room, destabilizes your already fragile
tear film and may stimulate hypersensitive nerves.
2. The moisture chamber created by the shield allows a
buildup of humidity from your tear film, artificial tears,
and body heat, making your eyes more comfortable.

Wind / drafts
Low humidity
Tear
film

15%

Contaminants

3. The shield also tends to reduce exposure to allergens

and contaminants which may cause adverse responses
in a compromised tear film.
Lens

What does a moisture shield look like?

Moisture
shield

Moisture shields can made of silicone, soft porous foam,

or other types of foam. A shield can be built directly onto
a frame or placed in a removable gasket, for easy cleaning and replacement.

Ziena Oasis

7Eye

Wiley-X

Clic Goggles

Evader I

Onion Goggles

Tranquileyes MRE

Dustbuster

NOTE: The shield should not be airtight and need not fit tight to the skin in
order to be beneficial. Gaps or vents are necessary to help prevent fogging.

Moisture Retaining Eyewear

How to Choose
BASICS

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$$$$

M,L

Silicone

Tranquileyes MRE

$$

S,M,L

Firm foam

Includes moisture release cartridges.

Rx version coming soon.

7Eye

Cyclone

$$$

S,M

Porous foam

High Rx adaptor available.

Briza

$$$

Other foam

Bora

$$$

Other foam

Churada

$$$

S,M

Other foam

Cape

$$$

S,M

Other foam

High Rx adaptor available.

Diablo

$$$

M,L

Other foam

High Rx adaptor available.

AirRage

$$$

Porous foam

Airborne

$$$

S,M

Porous foam

Blink

$$$

Porous foam

Brick

$$$

Porous foam

Curve

$$$

Porous foam

Rout

$$$

Porous foam

Onion Goggles

S,M

Porous foam

Dustbuster 1 (small)

Firm foam

Rx: single or bifocal

2 (med)

S,M

Firm foam

Rx: single or bifocal

3 (large)

Firm foam

Rx: single vision only

$$

Porous foam

$$

M,L

Porous foam

Evader I Over-Rx

S,M

Porous foam

Fits glasses up to 5 1/4 wide and 1 1/2 high

Evader II Over-Rx

M,L

Porous foam

Fits glasses up to 5 5/8 wide and 1 7/8 high

S,M

Silicone

Accommodates high Rx

Wiley-X

Clic Goggles (small)

(standard)

Micro-Environ. Glasses $$$

High Rx adaptor available.

NOTES:
(1)

$ = $10+
$$ = $40+

(2) Depth of eyecup indicates whether the shield or foam is designed to extend right to the skin
(excluding fog vents). Actual protection depends on the frame fitting your face shape.

$$$ = $80+

(3)

= looks likes (sun)glasses;

$$$$ = $200+

(4)

= looks like glasses;

= looks like goggles

= looks weird or out of place