April 2025
If you're new to Blinkjoy, please scroll down to my general description.
Gen2 is here
Gen2 Blinkjoy is a not just an upgrade, it's a transformation. This product has gone way up the scale in design and manufacturing sophistication and in such a short time since the original product launch.
I imagine that most people who liked the original Blinkjoy will like this new one as much or maybe a lot more, and while the price tag is steep, I feel it's absolutely worth the extra cost. At the same time, I think there may be some who will prefer to stick with Gen1, while yet others may find themselves wanting a hybrid. Par for the course with product upgrades and trying to solve a nearly impossible product design task of this nature, but the really good news here is that feedback is being incorporated into design so rapidly and so very thoughtfully.
Gen2 upgrades
- The mask itself is very different, and, in most ways, better. I'm talking about the body of the mask without the removable eye cups. It's streamlined, the thick pads next to the eye cup positions are gone, and it's a single unit rather than having a strap stitched on separately. It's sporty-looking and the strap ends are quite a bit wider, which is great for keeping it on securely. On the other hand, for those struggling with any additional 'bulk' on their head, the extra width of the strap may not be welcome. The material is far better than the original, and certainly appears as though it will be more durable. I'm happy to see that it is machine washable.
- The silicone layer is differently shaped. The original ones were somewhat symmetrical (rounded rectangle, roughly) while the new ones taper to a rounded point at the outside corners. The edges of the original stick upwards slightly (i.e. are pointed towards your face), so for some users, the original silicone inserts would actually suction to their skin. The new ones wrap around the cloth eye cup.
- The eye cup depth is different. The original had a uniform depth throughout the eye cup. Gen2 starts slightly deeper on the side by your nose but ends quite a bit shallower on the side towards your ear. This is intended to improve comfort for side sleepers and it is very well done. However, if you have a non-closing lid, this eye cup may not give you enough clearance for safety. On the other hand, since the eye cups are attached with velcro, you can put your Gen1 eye cups on the Gen2 mask if needed.
- The silicone pieces are vented. There are three tiny vent holes at the nasal side of each silicone cover. These should eliminate the possibility of suction or pressure building up within the eye cup.
- The silicone pieces wrap around the eye cups. It's beautiful and personally I find the new silicone covers very, very comfortable on my skin. The downside is that they're more difficult to remove and replace when you wash them. They feel like they will be at least as durable as the originals, though, and you can easily wipe them down without removing them. Or, you can use the fabric covers on top of the silicone (see below) so you don't need to.
- There's another (optional, dual purpose) layer - sensitive skin covers. Check out the picture with the 3 layers. There's the eye cup, then the silicone cover, then these sensitive skin fabric covers. Some of you will prefer the feel of the silicone and others will prefer the feel of the covers, so it's great to have two options. Additionally, though, some of you may want to use the covers just because they're easier to take off and wash than the silicone covers. Watch out though - the cloth covers sit on top of the eye cups with nothing to hold them in place, so they fall off very easily when you're not wearing the mask. (I'm picturing them getting trapped behind night stands or headboards.)
- Hard size travel case: It's about 14" x 4.5" x 2.75".
All in all, I think this is excellent design and very well executed.
New to Blinkjoy? Here's where it fits in:
Blinkjoy fills some important gaps in the 'dry eye goggle/mask' market:
- Complete moisture seal: For people who have not been able to get a complete seal with any other product, I suspect the vast majority will get a good seal with Blinkjoy, whether Gen1 or Gen2.
- Customizable eye distance! The eye cup cushions on Blinkjoy attach with velcro. Slide them left or right. This is a unique feature and the first of its kind. No more jury-rigging goggles with scissors, tape, glue, thread, etc. to get them to fit better.
- Side and stomach sleeper friendliness, to a point: Blinkjoy Gen2 is clearly designed for this purpose. A word of caution for side and stomach sleepers with FES, TED or other conditions keeping their lids substantially open at night: Gen1 has a deeper eye cup. Before using Gen1 or Gen2, for safety's sake, please make sure to consult your eye doctor.
- Super-secure strap: If your experience with other moisture goggles has been "I find it on the floor in the morning", I would venture to say that that is very unlikely to be the case with Blinkjoy, whether Gen1 or Gen2. The strap is not a flimsy add-on - it's a continuum of the mask itself and seems very secure, but the tradeoff is that it is bulkier.
Who I would recommend Blinkjoy for...
...bearing in mind that wearing anything on your head at night is always trial and error.
- Practically anyone with chronic severe overnight dryness. This is both a great starter product and a great product for people who have tried lots of other things, including taping lids down. I would have no hesitation in recommending Gen2 to almost anyone except people with a significant lid opening that also sleep on their side or stomach. It will fit most people, and it will stay on well, and the materials are comfortable. Can't ask much more than that.
- People with mild nocturnal lagophthalmos (like 1mm or so of incomplete lid closure at night): Gen2 may be suitable for eyes with a smaller opening, but may not be safe for eyes with a significant opening at night unless you're sleeping on your back. Make sure to show this product to your doctor.
- People with night dry eye protection needs who also have custom fit needs: A terrific feature of Blinkjoy is that the eye cups can be positioned wherever you need them. Eyes wide apart or very close set? No problem!
- Side sleepers who couldn't get comfortable with other goggles - maybe? This is a bulky, but yet very well designed product. For some people the bulk will rule it out as an option.
Who I would not recommend Blinkjoy for
- People who know they need less bulk and/or lighter weight. Many people just cannot tolerate a 'bulky' sleep mask while sleeping. Quartz or Glad Press 'n' Seal are good options depending on your needs.
- People who don't want the blackout effect. Some people are only comfortable with transparent shields/goggles. In that case, Eyeseals 4.0 Clear (for larger fits) and Quartz Silicone Shield (for smaller fits) are the best options.
- People who are bothered by big thick straps: Some people cannot stand thicker velcro closures on masks. Blinkjoy's is about as hefty as it gets. For reference, the Eye Eco straps are at the exact opposite end of the spectrum (silky thin fabric wrap).
- Full face CPAP users. Not compatible. For nasal pillows, it will be case by case.
Durability?
It's new right now, so this is all speculation, but based on the construction it seems likely to be much better than Gen1 Blinkjoy.
Advice for trying it out
As with all moisture goggles or shields, please try it for at least a couple of weeks before deciding whether it's going to help you.
If you are new to this category of product, consider trying at least one other product at the same time so that you can compare them side by side. This advice is partly born out of years of experience watching people buy a product and return it only to buy it again when they eventually figure out that, while nothing was perfect, the one they bought first actually worked better than everything they tried subsequently. But the other reason that I say to give it awhile is that this type of product in general typically does not give instant relief, although of course you may be an exception.
Last, something that probably no one wants to hear, though I think it will resonate with many veteran patients: Sometimes with moisture goggle type things you just can't explain the results. I mean there have been nights when I have worn a perfectly sealed goggle or shield and when it was literally dripping wet in the morning but my eyes felt like cardboard anyway. Other times they give me lots of relief. I cannot tell you why, other than (a) feeling dry is not the same as being dry and (b) there's always a bit of the random at play with dry eye - we have good days and bad days. Bottom line, give it a little time.
