Micro-Environment Glasses in development

[Rojzen]

Thanks to Rebecca's keen eye at a recent optical conference, information about a product called Micro-Environment Glasses (MEGs) is becoming available.

The glasses are the closest concept, so far, to custom moisture-chamber glasses, I think, in an OTC/(over-the-counter) form. . .

They were designed under an NIH Grant relating to computer-use-related dry eye, by an ophthalmologist at a Texas university. . .

They appear to be plain eyeglasses, with regular temples/earpieces, to which REMOVABLE eyecups are affixed. . .These eyecups, it appears, are not clear, thin plastic, like the non-removable EagleVision cylinders now used in most custom moisture chambers. . .They seem, instead, to be opaque/grey, with the option of getting little airholes in them, for people not like me, who actually want some air on the eyes . . .

Anyway, but for the industrial look of the grey chambers/cups, they seem to look like regular old glasses, which is a great alternative for any who may not be seeking heavy sport goggle appearance for indoor wear, and for whom Panoptyx Rx's don't yet exist. . .

The developer says the glasses are not yet ready for prime time, but I hope to get more on their status and availability target date soon. . .If the doc calls me back, I'll post more here. . .

Best aspect of the MEG: apparent availability of lenses in ANY Rx and any material. . .

[calli66]

Thanks for the info. I truly believe that moisture chamber glasses are the key to sanity for dry eye sufferers. My eyes feel so much better in them--I think it gives the eyes a break from the stress of air, pollutants, etc.--and gives them a chance to heal.

There's a picture of the protype here .

C

[Silverlady]

Best news I've had in awhile.

Wow,
please keep us posted!! and thanks for posting it.

Billye

[Rebecca Petris]

I truly believe that moisture chamber glasses are the key to sanity for dry eye sufferers.

Strongly agree!!

The pair shown to me at ASCRS looked quite different from the picture on the seefit site. (Nicer, I might add.) The side shields looked like a kind of slim, soft rubber type material and, though opaque, quite nice looking. Definitely a big improvement on the Eaglevision product. And I could easily see people wearing SeeFit at the office. It's nice that the shields are removeable... if you have a self-conscious moment you just slip them off.

[painintheeye]

looks great!

it definitely looks like a pair of normal glasses. i finally gotten my Rx panoptx and i get a lot of stares due to the goggle like look and especially thick Rx lenses. i would be very happy to have a pair of these as i can wear it more indoors. please let us know when it's available.

good job!

[Silverlady]

Question

My husband noticed on the website that it says they were available in 2005.

Is this so?

Billye

[Silverlady]

Found this

http://www.patentdebate.com/PATAPP/20060055878

Billye

[Rebecca Petris]

My husband noticed on the website that it says they were available in 2005.

Is this so?

Billye

No, the website is just out of date.

[Silverlady]

Wheww

Thanks Rebecca,

Billye

[Rojzen]

patent and cooperation issues on MEGs

Thank you, Billye, for that fabulous link to Dr. Yee's patent application. This sheds lots of light. I can't tell whether the application is still open, and I don't know whether inaction since 2006 may bode negatively for the application, but the fact of an application probably means that we can be hopeful of a product reaching us, at some point. . .If patent protection can't be gotten, the developer probably cannot afford to begin mass production. .

I spoke to some great people at the Guard Dog company yesterday (hope I got that right - - that's one of the sport-spec firms that is considering converting a goggle-with-strap model into something with temples), and mentioned the Micro-Environment Glasses . . .just to contrast with the goggle option. . .and to provide background on what dry eye people are doing now, pending creation of a mass-marketed over-the-counter moisture chamber solution. . .The company rep. indicated that he might like to attempt to cooperate with a scientist such as Dr. Yee, in developing a patent-able product that would serve our needs. . .

Who knows where that will go? or whether it was even helpful/wise for me to blurt out the MEG info. to a commercial sport-glass manufacturer. . .Ideally, though, this will serve as cross-pollination. . .ultimately serving our still greatly underserved need. . .

[dryeyes2]

Availability

Does anyone know when these might be available? If they could be made in any rx, I would supposed they could be made into sunglasses too?

I have a very high rx and cannot get Panoptx or any other type of wraparound. I have fitovers, but even those do not block wind enough.

Does anyone know the base curve on these type of glasses?

[Rojzen]

awaiting call from Dr. Yee on MEGs

Yes - - Looks like any Rx can be placed in the MEG frames. . .I'm in the same boat as those who still can't wear Panoptyx, because of high prescriptions. . .Don't know the curve of the lens . . .Called Dr. Yee, the inventor, last week, at his suggestion. . .but no call back, yet. . .Will report if I get news of any kind. . .