Efficacy of Liquid Motion Sickness Glasses in Preventing Motion Sickness
There is no scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of liquid motion sickness glasses for preventing motion sickness, and they are not recommended as a first-line treatment option.
Understanding Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is a common condition caused by conflicting sensory inputs between the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems. It typically presents with:
- Initial symptoms: stomach awareness, malaise, drowsiness, irritability
- Progressive symptoms: nausea, vomiting, disorientation, sweating, fatigue, headache
Evidence-Based Prevention and Treatment Options
First-Line Pharmacological Options:
- Scopolamine (transdermal): Most effective when applied several hours before anticipated motion exposure 1
- First-generation antihistamines: Effective but cause sedation 1, 2
Non-Pharmacological Evidence-Based Approaches:
Behavioral strategies:
- Position yourself in the most stable part of the vehicle
- Watch the true visual horizon
- Steer the vehicle when possible
- Tilt head into turns
- Lie down with eyes closed 1
Habituation: Gradual, repeated exposure to motion stimuli remains one of the most effective non-pharmacological methods 3
Stroboscopic vision: Research has shown that stroboscopic illumination via strobe lights or LCD shutter glasses at 4 Hz frequency can significantly reduce motion sickness severity (p<0.001) 4
Liquid Motion Sickness Glasses
These glasses typically contain a colored liquid that moves with head motion, supposedly creating an artificial horizon to help the brain resolve sensory conflicts. However:
- No mention of these devices appears in any clinical practice guidelines
- No clinical trials have demonstrated their efficacy
- They are not included in any evidence-based recommendations for motion sickness management
Special Considerations
Air Travel
Air travel can exacerbate ocular discomfort due to:
- Low cabin humidity causing eye dryness
- Lower atmospheric pressure affecting oxygen tension
- Air turbulence potentially causing neuro-ocular vestibular dysfunction (NOVD) 5
High Altitude Travel
Travelers to high altitudes should be aware that:
- Hypobaric hypoxia can cause retinal vessel engorgement
- High altitude retinopathy may develop, though it's usually asymptomatic 5
Conclusion
When seeking motion sickness prevention, patients should prioritize evidence-based approaches including:
- Medications (scopolamine, first-generation antihistamines)
- Behavioral strategies (positioning, visual fixation techniques)
- Habituation training
Liquid motion sickness glasses lack scientific validation and should not be relied upon as an effective intervention for motion sickness prevention.