MIJ MICHAEL SEP 18, 2021
Many who wear corrective eye wear also have to deal with an annoying problem encountered when having to wear a face-mask during this pandemic crisis.
Friends and relatives often complain about their glasses fogging up while also wearing a mask. So here are some suggestions on how to wear a mask while making sure we’re still able to see through our glasses.
Fogging glasses
Those who wear glasses already experience the fog when walking out of a warm house into the outside cold air, or when opening an oven door.
A similar thing happens when we wear a mask. Some of our warm breath can escape through the top edges of the mask. This warm breath creates condensation when it lands on the cooler lenses, forming a foggy film. It gets even worse in cold weather.
Tips on how to stop the fog
- Improve the seal of the mask around the top of your face. Press down on the built-in bendable metal strip in the mask to mold it to the bridge of your nose. Pipe cleaners can be added to the top of a homemade fabric mask to get the same effect.
- Tighten the mask by adjusting the ties or the ear loops so that the mask fits snugly against your face. Most of your breath should be going through the mask. But if you feel the air going out around the mask, then tighten the ties.
- Seal off the top of your mask around the bridge of your nose with athletic or medical tape, or an adhesive bandage. Medical students learn this trick when using eye protection goggles.
NOTE:
Don’t use packing tape or duct tape, they could irritate your skin. It’s not really worth it to tape up just for a short time outside, unless you are caring for a sick person. - Use the weight of your glasses to block the air. Do this by pulling your mask up over the bridge of the nose, and as high as you can but still remains under your chin. Then let your glasses rest on top of the mask. The shape and style of your glasses will have an impact on the result.
- Use an anti-fog home remedy to coat your lenses. There are many posted on the internet. These include the use of baby shampoo, toothpaste and shaving cream. Vinegar is often suggested, although most experts suggest that it doesn’t work.
The key to treating your lenses is to add enough of the substance to stop the fog from forming. - Commercial anti-fog products are also available, and expensive. FogTech is supposed to last for three to five days. It is used by food safety and health workers, firefighters and professional skiers and scuba divers.
NOTE:
Anti-fog solutions may not work on lenses, if they are treated with special protective coatings that resist glare and smudges. - Push your glasses forward on your nose. This allows more air to circulate and stop the fog from forming.
WARNING: This can distort your vision and affect your perception, so be careful.
Remember that finding the solution that works best for you may take a bit of trial and error.