A drying agent arrangement for optical instruments, in particular for endoscopic instruments, having a hygroscopic substance in the instrument housing, such that the hygroscopic substance, configured as individual molded bodies, is positioned in an intake receptacle that can be replaceably inserted in the instrument housing. To provide a drying agent arrangement that, along with simple, versatile application, allows the intake of a great quantity of drying agent, the intake receptacle may be configured as a double-walled sleeve, such that the two walls, forming an intake space for the molded bodies of the hygroscopic substance, are radially distanced from one another and positioned in such a way that the walls, closing the intake space at one axial end of the sleeve, are connected with one another at the end and on the other axial end of the sleeve, releasing the intake space, are radially distanced from one another at the end.