Category: Glasses

Several new phrases have entered our vocabulary in the last two years – phrases which we never said before and hope (soon) to never have to say again: ‘social distancing,’ ‘lockdowns’ and, for the millions of Australians who wear glasses regularly: ‘foggy glasses.’

Depending on your mood, foggy glasses can be an annoyance or an affliction. Foggy glasses are caused entirely by the warm air you breath out. As your breath escapes through the top of your mask, it hits the cool surface of your glasses and turns into condensation. Any time warm air hits cold air, the result is condensation. (The same thing happens when a person wearing glasses walks into a warm building on a cold day).

If you have experienced the annoyance/affliction of mask-related foggy glasses, you’re not alone –most spectacle wearers surveyed struggle with glasses fogging up with a mask.

The internet is full of fixes for this problem—some good, some bad and some ugly. Eyecare Plus has sifted through the noise and information to give you the best techniques to help you ‘fight the fog.’

The Good

Fix the mask

The most common cause of fogging glasses has nothing to do with the glasses: it is the mask. If your mask is not fitting right, air escapes out the top when you exhale, causing condensation inside your glasses.

Make sure your mask fits snugly around your nose. For people with glasses, the best mask for glasses has wiring around the nose.

Sticky Tape or Bandage

The use of surgical tape or an adhesive bandage to stick your mask to your nose has been a widely circulated technique adherents claim works well.  Tape the upper rim of your mask down with a cloth bandage so that the mask beneath your eyewear is mostly sealed. This idea, popularised by a doctor in the States, has been widely circulated since the start of COVID and has proved an effective treatment to stop glasses fogging up.

Move the glasses

Rest your glasses on top of your mask, then push your glasses forward on your nose to seal off the air that escapes from the top of your mask.

Wash your glasses

This is an old scuba diver trick: use dish soap to clean your glasses. Simple dish soap leaves behind a film that protects against moisture build-up. Wash your lenses in soapy water, shake off the excess and dry with a soft, microfibre cloth. (Avoid facial tissues, as they leave lint behind, which attracts moisture to the lenses).

Sprays and wipe products

De-misting sprays and wipes are specifically designed to stop glasses from fogging up, and most of them work well. They coat the lenses with a ‘hydrophilic’ (literally: ‘water-loving’) clear film that attracts and disperses water and eliminates fog.

Wear contacts

If all else fails, the single best way to eliminate foggy lenses is to wear contact lenses. Ask your Eyecare Plus optometrist for recommendations that suit your current lens type and wearing habits.

The Bad

Because the internet is just doing its thing, you can expect five bad ideas for every good one. Here are a few anti-fog techniques for glasses that fall firmly in the FAIL category…

Don’t use household cleaners. Windex or spray ammonias should not be used on glasses. They can damage the anti-reflective coatings or other laboratory-applied treatments.

Don’t use vinegar or lemon juice. Often promoted because they are non-toxic, lemon juice and vinegar should also be avoided. They can strip away the coating on your lenses just like regular household cleaners.

Don’t use hot water. There is no benefit to using extra hot water to rinse your glasses, in fact, it can damage the lenses. Warm water is best.

Don’t use toothpaste. Toothpaste contains abrasives which can dull the finish on your glasses or create scratches.

At Eyecare Plus, we are dedicated to bringing the public the most up-to-date information and advice on COVID-19. As healthcare providers, we encourage all our patients to consult www.australia.gov.au for the latest updates and guidelines.

 

Wearing a mask is a way of life for many Australians but, for those who wear spectacles, a new problem has emerged out of Covid 19 – glasses fogging up.

When the New York Times asked readers for their questions about Covid 19, one of the most common was, “how do I solve the fogging problem”?

Fogging of the glasses has always been a problem for health care workers, one which now that it is in the public domain is causing many people a great deal of consternation.

The Fogging Problem

Fogging occurs when the warm air that we breathe out comes into contact with the cool surface of our spectacle lens and, as a result, forms condensation.

Whatever mask you wear, whether it is a cloth, homemade or a surgical mask, your glasses will more often than not, fog up. It is so annoying that many people give up wearing a mask altogether.

Some pundits suggest to just ‘breathe through your nose, not your mouth’. This will work for a short time but eventually your natural inclination is to go back to breathing through your mouth.

There are better ways to stop your glasses from fogging up.

Solving the Problem

If you do a Google search, you will find a plethora of articles and videos sharing tips and problem-solving hacks on how to demist your lenses. We tried many and came up with our own list of the most effective methods for keeping your glasses fog-free.

Mould the Wire

Press the wire at the top of the mask tight against the bridge of your nose and the top of your cheeks. You want to make sure that no warm air from your breath can escape. Then, place your glasses firmly over the top of your mask. The weight of your glasses against your mask will create a seal to stop the warm air from escaping.

Please note to always wash your hands with soap and water first before touching your mask.

Soap and Water

A time proven method used by surgeons who wear surgical masks all the time is to wash your glasses with soap and water gently and make sure not to leave any soap suds on your lens, shake off the excess water and let them air dry. The soap will then leave behind a thin film that acts as a fog barrier to prevent the lenses from misting up.

Folded Tissue

Fold a tissue horizontally a few times so that it is about one cm wide. Place it inside the top of your mask and against your nose bridge. This will help absorb the moisture from your breath and stop it from fogging your glasses. The tissue may shift, so if it does, staple it to the mask to keep it in place.

Surgical Tape

For those wearing a mask for long periods, place a strip of non-irritating white athletic or surgical tape across the top of the mask. The tape must be hypoallergenic and easy to remove. The tape will create a tight seal and also stops your mask from slipping down.

Band-Aid Solution

If there is no surgical tape on hand, try using a couple of band-aids instead. They will work nearly as well as surgical tape.

Tie Your Mask

To create a better seal, tighten your mask at the side by double looping the mask ties then hooking them over your ears. Your breath will then pass through the mask and not out the sides or the top.

Anti-fog Products

An anti-fog spray or wipes is an easy to use product made to disperse the fog droplets from your lenses. Spray on both sides of the lens after cleaning.

Take note that you may need to do this repeatedly as the fogging could return.

 Anti-fog Lenses

Lenses that are made with an anti-fog coating are designed primarily to provide anti-fog protection. Wearing anti fog glasses will ensure clear vision. They are especially useful in circumstances where glasses tend to fog up such as cold weather, dusty environments, playing sports, cooking, and wearing a face mask.

Contact Lenses

A complete solution to lenses fogging is to wear contact lenses. They avoid the issue of fogging all together. Wash your hands thoroughly before putting in your contact lenses.

It is a bit of trial and error. Try our tips and you will find a solution that works for you.

To find out more about anti-fog lenses and products or contact lenses contact your local Eyecare Plus Optometrists.