Eyeworld

EW CORNEA 52 December 2018 by Vanessa Caceres EyeWorld Contributing Writer They're another adjuvant treatment for dry eye symptoms M oisture chamber glasses for dry eye aren't new to the market, but they're experiencing a resurgence. That's because patients are find- ing out about the glasses online and because they are less self-conscious about wearing them. In turn, eye care physicians are suggesting them more frequently. There are different kinds of moisture chamber glasses, but the basic idea is a product that protects the eye from wind, dust, and other irritants. Several types of the glasses also have small moisture chambers on the side to provide humidity. Clear lens glasses and tinted sun- glasses are available. Because dry eye is a multifacto- rial disease, "dry eye glasses" may not be the ideal option for all dry eye patients. However, they do seem to help certain patients, including those with environmental triggers. "Environmental factors like low humidity, wind, and drafts from ceiling fans or air conditioners can exacerbate the symptoms of dry eye," said Beeran Meghpara, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmolo- gy, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. "Moisture chamber glasses provide a protective barrier and increase periocular humidity in a noninva- sive way." Because dry eye frequently has crossover with ocular allergies, Anat Galor, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, has found them to be effective in patients with environmental allergy triggers. Even ophthalmologists not yet familiar with moisture chamber glasses may want to consider offer- Renaissance for moisture chamber glasses ing them, said Arun C. Gulani, MD, chief surgeon and founding director, Gulani Vision Institute, Jacksonville, Florida. He finds many dry eye pa- tients referred to him come into his office already well informed about their condition and are ready to try innovative treatments. Rebecca Petris, founder, Dry Eye Company, Poulsbo, Washing- ton, thinks that recommending moisture chamber glasses to patients can improve treatment compliance and patient retention rates because they are affordable and easy to use. "Dry eye patients are symptom-driv- en. I can't say that often enough," she said. The Dry Eye Company website does not sell the glasses but will let customers know where they can find them. "Moisture chamber glasses with a variety of shapes and styles have become more comfortable and accepted in a society where dry eye and its incidence is finally being recognized as an omnipresent mala- dy," Dr. Gulani said. In addition to a full spectrum and custom-designed approach to dry eye management, these moisture chamber glasses are a welcome adjunct in select and severe cases, he added. Are they helpful? One early pioneer for moisture chamber glasses is Kazuo Tsubota, MD, professor and chairperson, Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. He has published sev- eral studies to address the effective- ness of the glasses, but he also has worn them daily for many years. "Dry eye symptoms vary day by day. If I am comfortable, I don't bother to put water in the chambers, but if my eyes are dry, I put water into the chamber three to four times per day," he said. One of Dr. Tsubota's most recent studies of moisture chamber Moisture chamber glasses continued on page 54 Water chamber Source (all): Jins Inc. " Moisture chamber glasses with a variety of shapes and styles have become more comfortable and accepted in a society where dry eye and its incidence is finally being recognized as an omnipresent malady. " —Arun C. Gulani, MD

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