title: Specialized moisture retention eyewear for evaporative dry eye.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the suitablity of commercially available moisture retention eyewear for treating evaporative dry eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients with evaporative dry eyes were prescibed moisture retention eyewear for 3 months in addition to regular lubricant eye drops. Frequency and severity of dry eye symptoms, corneal fluorescein staining and tear break up time (TBUT) were evaluated at baseline and 3-month post-treatment. Main outcome measure was global symptom score (based on severity and frequency of dry eye symptoms on a visual analog scale) and secondary outcomes were changes in sectoral corneal fluorescein staining and tear break up time (TBUT) from pre-treatment level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant improvement in dry eye symptoms after using moisture retention eyewear for 3 months (p < 0.05). Corneal fluorescein staining in all five zones of the cornea in both eyes improved significantly (p < 0.05). There was no significant improvement in TBUT. Patients used ocular lubricants less frequently (p < 0.05) compared to the commencement of the study. Patients found moisture retention eyewear to be useful in relieving dry eye symptoms in windy, air-conditioned environments or when doing vision-related daily tasks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that moisture retention eyewear might be a valuable adjunct in management of evaporative dry eye and this new design of commercially available eyewear could have a good acceptability rate.
authors: Singapore Eye Research Institute , Singapore .
authors: Samanthila
authors: S
authors: Waduthantri
authors: Chien Hua
authors: CH
authors: Tan
authors: Yee Wei
authors: YW
authors: Fong
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Tong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005139:Eyeglasses / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops
keywords: Dry eye syndrome; evaporative dry eye; eyewear; moisture retention; tear film