Dry eye glasses - top recommended brands and types

Intro to dry eye 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? (1) 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. (2) 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.

Brand	Price Range	Description
Ziena Eyewear	From ~$160	Most discreet. Best product for indoor and indoor/outdoor use. Uniquely well suited to clear lenses. Gentle silicone shields.
7Eye AirShield	From ~$99	Deepest eye cups. Best wind protection. Best moisture retention. Some available with built-in reading lenses. Caveats: Fit-dependent. Poor aesthetic choice for anything but outdoor use. Rx -4 to +4 (no bifocal or trifocal though on Panhead, Derby, or Taku Plus) Rx adaptor available for certain framestyles will increase this range to -7
WileyX Climate Control	From ~$100	Good wind protection. Good variety of frame styles and lens colors. All frames Rx ready Rx rim available on select frames to accommodate high Rx Shields tend to be shallower than 7Eye AirShields (except deeper eyecup is available for AirRage and Brick styles)
7Eye AirDam	From ~$89	Good balance of aesthetics and function Thin, discreet foam lining Rx: +4 to -4 (note, cannot do bifocal or trifocal on Taku frame)
Onion Goggles	~$20	Budget-friendly! Deep foam Clear lenses Best all round cheap indoor moisture chamber But... stiff, and fit is not versatile - they either fit or they don't. Good way to "test the concept" before investing in expensive moisture chambers
Guard-Dogs	From ~$30	Budget friendly Small company with awesome service! Several OverRx options (look for Evader 1, Evader 2 and Commander) that work really well Dustbusters are also a nice relatively discreet option with a smooth, non-irritating foam Great way to "test the concept" before investing in expensive moisture chambers
Global Vision Outfitters	~$30	Use over glasses Economical way to get protection without having to purchase new Rx glasses Or great way to test the concept before getting Rxables Fit is a bit difficult. Check the dimensions carefully, as well as the return policy wherever you're purchasing.
Tranquileyes Moisture Release Eyewear	$79 to $99	Removable moisture cartridges Available with clear or tinted lenses Two sizes Flexible frames Some Rx ready
Micro-Environment Glasses (Seefit MEGs)	$149	Able to accommodate high prescriptions
CUSTOM MOISTURE CHAMBERS	Varies, typically $300+	If you know of an optician who makes custom moisture chambers, please let us know so we can add it to the list here. USA Scot Kornfeld, Woodbury Optical Studio, Hicksville NY (516) 681-3937 Bascom Palmer (?) Miami, FL Arizona Optical Phoenix, AZ (602) 254-6541 CANADA United Optical, Vancouver BC 604-298-5571 EUROPE Lissac (rue de Rivoli, Paris) and Optique du Lion (Yerres)

Dry eye glasses - top recommended brands and typesUpdated 3 years ago

Intro to dry eye glasses