Eye care tray

Everyday things for comfortable eyes

A short list of plain, everyday items that our guides mention: warmth and moisture for tired eyes, light and magnification for reading, care for glasses, and protection from sun, snow, splashes and pool water. None of them treats an eye condition or replaces an eye exam. If your eyes hurt, look red, or your sight changes, see an eye doctor first; for anything sudden, see eye emergencies.

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Dry, tired eyes

Comfort for eyes that feel gritty by evening, at a desk or in a heated room. Dryness that lasts, or comes with pain or blurred vision, is a reason to see an eye doctor first.

  • A microwavable moist-heat eye compressGentle warmth for the eyelids when your eye doctor suggests warm compressesheats in the microwave · moist heat · reusableLook at it on Amazon
  • A top-fill cool-mist bedroom humidifierAdds moisture to dry indoor air, especially overnight in heated rooms2.5 liter tank · up to about 25 hours on low · top-fillLook at it on Amazon
  • A height-adjustable monitor standBrings the top of the screen near eye level for less neck and eye strainheight adjustable · storage shelfLook at it on Amazon

Read first: Warm compress for eyes: how to use one for dry eyes, safely · Dry eyes and screen time: blinking, humidity and better breaks · 20-20-20 break timer

Reading and small print

Light, magnification and spare readers for the years when print starts to drift away. A change in near vision is worth an eye exam before anything else.

  • A six-pack of ready-made reading glassesSpare pairs for the kitchen, the car and the bedside table once you know your strengthsix pairs in one strength · spring hinges · choose the strength when orderingLook at it on Amazon
  • A dimmable LED desk lampSteady, adjustable light for reading and close workseveral color modes · several brightness levels · diffused shadeLook at it on Amazon
  • A large lighted hand magnifierBrings small print, labels and dials into view with its own lighthandheld · built-in LED light · warm and cool light settingsLook at it on Amazon
  • A pocket slide-out LED magnifierA small magnifier for menus, prices and medicine labels when you are out5x lens · slide-out protective sleeve · LED lightLook at it on Amazon

Read first: Reading glasses or progressives: how to choose, and how to get used to them · Reading glasses strength · Amsler grid

Glasses care

Small things that keep lenses clear and frames comfortable. Adjustments and repairs beyond a loose screw belong at the optical shop.

  • A lens cleaning spray and microfiber cloth kitCleaning coated lenses without scratching themtwo spray bottles · microfiber cloths · suits anti-reflective coatingsLook at it on Amazon
  • A glasses repair kit with tiny screwdriversTightening a loose hinge screw or replacing a nose pad at homemagnetic precision screwdrivers · assorted tiny screws · spare nose padsLook at it on Amazon
  • A hard-shell glasses caseProtects glasses in a bag or pockethard shell · soft liningLook at it on Amazon
  • Individually wrapped anti-fog lens wipesLess fogging when you wear a mask or step in from the coldpre-moistened · individually wrapped · also clean the lensLook at it on Amazon
  • Adjustable no-tail glasses strapsKeeps glasses on during sport, play or workpack of three · adjustable · no tailLook at it on Amazon

Read first: Glasses prescription reader

Sun and snow

UV protection for adults and children, and goggles that fit over glasses. Look for UV400 or 100% UVA/UVB on the label; a darker lens is not the same as a more protective one.

  • Polarized UV400 sunglassesEveryday sun protection with less glare from water and roadsUV400 lenses · polarized · semi-rimless frameLook at it on Amazon
  • Flexible polarized sunglasses for childrenSun protection for small faces, with a strap so they stay onUV400 lenses · polarized · soft flexible frame · strap includedLook at it on Amazon
  • Over-the-glasses ski gogglesUV protection and glare control on snow, with room for prescription glassesfits over glasses · anti-fog double lens · for adults and youthLook at it on Amazon

Read first: Summer sun and your eyes: hats, sunglasses and UV in festival season

Protection at home and in the water

Eyewear for chores, yard work, crafts and the pool. For a chemical splash, rinse with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get urgent care.

  • Clear anti-fog safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)Protection from splashes, dust and flying bits during cleaning, DIY and garden workANSI Z87.1 marked · wraparound polycarbonate lenses · anti-fogLook at it on Amazon
  • Child-size safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)Eye protection sized for children helping with chores, crafts or science projectsANSI Z87.1 and EN166 marked · child and youth size · pack of several pairsLook at it on Amazon
  • Anti-fog swim gogglesKeeps pool water and chlorine out of the eyes; never swim in contact lensesanti-fog · UV protection · for adults and youthLook at it on Amazon

Read first: Printable eye chart

Chosen from published specifications and reviews; we don’t test products ourselves. Product names here are our own short descriptions.