Learning About Using a Moisture Chamber

A moisture chamber is a protective covering that traps moisture around the eye. This helps reduce drying and irritation.

Moisture chambers may include:

• Polyethylene film or plastic coverings.
• Goggles.
• Moisture-retaining devices.

A moisture chamber is used to keep the eye moist and protect the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye).

It may be used in people who:

• Cannot fully close their eye.
• Do not make enough tears.
• Have damage or irritation to the outer surface of the eye (ocular surface disease).
• Have problems with how the eyelid moves or works (eyelid dysfunction).

Some specific conditions treated with this therapy include:

• Damage to the cornea caused by the eyelids not fully closing (exposure keratopathy).
• Incomplete eye closure.
• Eyelid burns.
• Drying and irritation that happens in very sick patients (intensive care unit-related ocular surface exposure).
• Severe ocular surface dryness.
• Dry eye disease.

When goggles or other moisture-retaining devices are not available, a moisture chamber can be made.

Making a moisture chamber involves these steps:

1. Using a square piece of plastic wrap big enough to cover the eye, eyebrow, and part of the nose and cheek.
2. Putting lubricating eye drops the eye.
3. Spreading lubricating ointment on and around the eye to help form a seal.
4. Placing the plastic wrap over the eyelid and pressing down around the bony edge of the eye socket to create a seal.

Moisture chamber treatment may be used overnight depending on your needs and your doctor's recommendations.

You can expect a moisture chamber to:

• Keep the eye moist.
• Reduce eye dryness and irritation.
• Protect the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) and the outer surface of the eye.

Some people may have side effects from lubricating eye drops. They include:

• Burning.
• Eye irritation.
• Redness.
• Blurry vision.

If irritation, pain, redness, or other eye problems get worse, tell your doctor.