Having dry, irritated eyes means that you might have insufficient tear production, poor tear quality, itching, burning and redness of the eyes, and other painful and irritating symptoms. Causes vary and can include overuse of the television and other electronics such as cellphones, computers, and tablets, ill-fitting contact lenses, diseases of the glands of the eyelids, and several common disorders which prevent the eyelids from fully closing during sleep.
For those currently suffering from dry, irritated eyes, a moisturizing sleep mask or a set of sleep goggles could help support healthy eyes and mitigate some of the issues you're facing. Below are a few of the symptoms you may experience with dry, irritated eyes, so you can know if you may benefit from a pair of moisture chamber goggles or glasses:
- Red eyes
- Irritation and burning
- Eye fatigue or tired eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Difficulty seeing to drive at night
- Pain or aching feeling in the eyes
- Fluctuations between watery eyes and dryness
- Intolerance to contact lenses
- Sensation that something is in the eyes
Before we get into the goggles and masks, here's a rundown of my nightly routine for irritated eyes:
1. Remove all makeup thoroughly and wash face with the Heyedrate Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash. This product contains 19 plant botanicals and extracts designed to support healthy skin.
2. Use the MediViz Warm Compress Mask with Removable Cover to heat up your meibomian glands and allow those oils to flow freely.
3. Follow this with the Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser. Simply spray it onto a cotton ball or round, rub over your closed eyelids and let it dry.
What are Moisture Chamber Glasses and Goggles?
Moisture chamber goggles are usually fitted with foam contours to adhere perfectly to the face, creating a safe, non-abrasive seal to keep in moisture. All major brands are adjustable for fit, and the moisturizing pads that sometimes come with the glasses can be inserted into the lenses and sized to accommodate the depth of the eye socket. The benefits they provide include:
- Sealing eyes off from air and contaminants
- Keeping the tear film intact overnight
- Helping eyes stay closed during sleep
- Preventing unconscious rubbing and scratching of the eyes during sleep
- Blocking out wind, insects, and flying debris while outdoors
The delicate pressure exerted by a pair of well-fitted moisturizing goggles helps to fully close the eyes at night and, depending on the pair chosen, helps shield the eyes from dirt, wind, dust, and other particles while working or exercising outside.
Moisture chamber glasses worn at night may help your eyes function better during the day and may help safeguard against some eye issues.
Some people find that moisture chamber spectacles may be helpful for exercising or working outdoors as well, especially during activities such as running or biking, mowing the lawn, and working in the garden.
3 Best Moisture Chamber Glasses and Goggles
There are several leading brands of moisture chamber sleep masks and goggles. They all provide different benefits for your eyes and vision, and we'll discuss these benefits in detail.
1. TranquilEyes Goggles plus Moist Heat and Cold Compress:
This includes one pair of Tranquileyes goggles, as well as both bead packs for cold compress and instant gel packs for optimum moist heat. These goggles can help provide natural nighttime eye support, sheltering the eyes from drafts, dust, and low humidity environments while also offering both contained moist head and refreshing cool compression.
2. Eyeseals 4.0 Hydrating Sleep Mask
This pair of sleep moisture goggles gently shelters eyes from CPAP air leaks, air drafts and low humidity environments while creating a moisture rich environment. They're lightweight and comfortable, and the Eyeseals 4.0 hydrating sleep mask is clear, allowing you to wake up to daylight if you wish.
The mask is hypoallergenic, latex-free and made in the USA. It's recommended for nighttime use in patients that have issues with their eyelids fully closing at night. They may also be beneficial for those who deal with persistent erosions of the cornea. This pair of goggles is great for air travel, since the dry environment in the airplane can be super uncomfortable for most with irritated eyes.
3. MediViz Warm Compress with Removable Cover
You may be wondering how this one made the list, but it's due to the versatility of this mask. This reusable eye mask not only provides effective warm and cold for the eyes, but is also super comfortable and relaxing to use. Use this mask as a warm compress by placing it in the microwave for 20 seconds, use it as a cold compress by placing it in the freezer for 2 hours, or wear it overnight if you wish. It even comes with a removable cover that you can just throw in your washing machine!
