Is Your Mask Fogging Up Your Glasses?
The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we act and behave when out in public. Not only should we stay socially distanced from one another, but it’s been recommended that we wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection.
As more and more people get vaccinated, cities and states across the United States are easing up on the restrictions that require wearing a face mask in public. While this is true, many people are going to continue wearing a face mask long after the COVID-19 virus is no longer a pressing concern.
Wearing a mask is not only an effective way of stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but it’s an excellent way of stopping the spread of many other airborne diseases, such as the common cold. With that said, face masks likely aren’t going anywhere, and neither is the risk of foggy glasses.
Why Do Glasses Fog Up When Wearing a Face Mask?
As important and effective as wearing a face mask is in today’s climate, there’s no debating how irritating it can be — especially for those that must wear them all day long. This challenge is even more difficult for those that wear eyeglasses or sunglasses frequently throughout the day.
The main issue here is that your spectacle lens is generally cooler than your warm breath. When you wear a mask, it usually directs your breath up through the top of the mask, which steams up your lenses. As you can likely imagine, this severely impacts the individual’s vision.
So, why does this happen? When you breathe warm water vapor onto your glasses through the top of your mask, it creates tiny droplets that form a film across your lenses. This is due to the surface tension between the water molecules, which is why your glasses are fogging up.
Tips to Prevent Foggy Glasses for Mask Wearers
If foggy glasses while wearing a mask is becoming a major problem for you, you’re not alone. Millions of people all around the world are struggling with this issue daily and there are just as many people searching for a solution to the problem — healthcare professionals included.
That’s why we’re going to share with you some of our most prominent and effective tips for preventing your glasses from fogging up while wearing a face mask. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, these tips should definitely help one way or another.
Let’s take a look!
Make Sure the Mask Fits
The most important tip we have for you is to make sure your mask fits snug and tight — especially around the bridge of your nose. When it’s nice and snug, there won’t be as much warm air getting through the top of the mask and therefore less fog filling up your glasses.
Try searching for a face mask that has a metal strip along the nose bridge. If your mask doesn’t have this and your sewing skills are decent, you can create your own with a paper clip or pipe cleaners. This will allow you to adjust the mask to fit snug around the nose and cheek.
Wash Your Lens With Soap & Water
Another tip we have when preventing your glasses from fogging up is to wash them with soap and water before putting your mask on. Use a mild soap and shake off the excess liquid after cleaning the lens. Then let the lens air dry (do not wipe it dry with a cloth or towel).
What this does is it creates a thin film that’ll help reduce the surface tension between water molecules. It acts as an anti-fog layer on top of your lenses, which will greatly reduce the amount of fog when you breathe warm air onto them. Avoid putting shaving cream or baby shampoo on the lenses.
Use Tape to Seal the Mask
If you don’t have the sewing skills to add a metal strip to your face mask or if your face mask already has a metal strip along the bridge of the nose, you can enhance the seal around your nose and cheek with tape. Paper tape or double-sided tape works the best with face masks.
Whether you’re using one-sided tape or double-sided tape, make sure it’s safe for the skin and won’t cause any damage. That’s why paper tape is highly recommended, especially since it’s specifically designed to be used on the skin. Athletic tape is also kind to the skin and creates an effective seal.
Invest In Anti-Fog Lenses & Products
Believe it or not, there is a wide range of products that are designed to give your eyeglasses and sunglasses an anti-fog layer — much like we described above. These products come in various forms. For example, some products come in a spray, and others are used as wipes.
If you’re down for the investment, these anti-fog products can help give your lens the extra layer of protection that they need when preventing your glasses from fogging. Of course, you can also invest in lenses that are specifically designed to be anti-fog, but they’re more expensive.
Breathe Downward
The final tip we have for you might be a little awkward, but it’s an effective way to prevent foggy glasses when you’re desperate. When we breathe, we usually breathe outward. If you were to breathe downward instead, you would direct your breath to go under the mask — not upward.
It’ll take some getting used to, but you’ll need to breathe with your upper lip over your lower lip. Once you get used to it, it won’t be as awkward. The real question is whether or not you can remember to breathe downward instead of outward — it’s not as easy as it sounds!
Meet With Your Ophthalmologist Today!
Although the above tips will help reduce the amount of fog you have to deal with when wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses, there’s actually one sure way to prevent foggy glasses — ditch the glasses altogether. You can do this by wearing contact lenses, by getting LASIK eye surgery, or getting a lens-based refractive surgery.
If any of these options is of interest to you, then you should schedule an eye doctor appointment with your local ophthalmologist — such as Milwaukee Eye Surgeons. We can help improve your vision with or without glasses, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!
