How to fight the fog? Tips on how to stop your glasses steaming up:
From 24th July 2020, face coverings are now mandatory in shops, banks, indoor public spaces and stations to protect us and reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). And people have started to realise there is an irritating side-effect for those who wear glasses.
Face masks are an essential measure to help prevent spreading and contracting the virus, however for glasses wearers the fogging up of the lenses has become quite an uncomfortable issue. When the warm air can escape from your mask, it creates a steam room effect where condensation is created on the lenses, which of course means having to continuously clean them because of this.
We have seen many of our patients seeking a solution for this issue since we re-opened our doors after lockdown, so we put together our top tips to beat the fog.
It is time to make your glasses and face mask work together, here are our tips:
1. Snug & Secure: The most important thing you want to check for is that your mask is fitting over your nose properly. This will make sure there are no air particles able to seep through, additionally, this will prevent the steam room effect happening on your lenses.
Medical mask: Many of these masks hold a feature which allows you to mould the metal wire onto the bridge of your nose to make sure it is completely secure on your face. Additionally, you can twist the ear bands around your ears in a loop motion to create a snugger fit.
Material masks: It is possible to get masks with nose bridges which because of the way they are shaped, stop the steam effect happening to your lenses. If you are making these at home, be sure to add an elastic string which allows you to adjust the tightness of the mask.
2. Wash your glasses regularly: Studies have shown this simple tactic of washing your glasses with soap and water is a great way to help with the foggy-lens issue. By simply using regular dish soap and water and letting them air dry or drying them with a soft cloth, when putting them back on with your mask they should fog up less.
3. Anti-fog spray: Whilst it is usually used by swimmers, construction workers and surgeons, this brilliant product has gained a great deal of recognition recently due to foggy lenses becoming more of a common issue. The anti-fog spray is more relevant than ever and can be very effective, especially for those whose work requires them to consistently wear their specs and face masks.
4. Tape it down: This approach is more for individuals who plan to be keeping their mask on for a lengthy amount of time. By simply using some medical tape you can tape down the mask to the bridge of your nose as well as on your cheeks.
5. Adjusting your frames to sit on your mask: By pulling up your mask higher to your nose and placing your frames over the material, you can create a seal from the air escaping. This easy trick should block the warm air from coming out and being able to fog your lenses. Additionally, if your frames have nose pads, you can try adjusting them to comfortably sit further away from your face. By wearing them further down your nose you are allowing the air to escape from your mask, therefore, there will be no steam effect on your lenses.
6. Searching for alternatives: If the above tips are not helpful, it may be time to think about contact lenses. Wearing contacts may be the convenient and hygienic alternative you have been looking for to see steam free.
7. Anti-fog lenses: Investing in an advanced anti-fog lens coating may be the right solution for you, especially if your line of work requires you to continuously wear your mask and frames at the same time, such as a surgeon or an emergency responder. The coating is applied to the lenses before they are cut into the shape of your frame, so the worry of your lenses fogging is a problem of the past.
Thankfully there are now many great options to keep your glasses and vision fog and steam free. Please let us know what worked the best for you!