3 Tips to Prevent Eyeglasses From Fogging Up With a Face Mask

It has become mandatory again to wear face masks or coverings again in selected areas in some parts of the world, particularly in the United Kingdom, as the government works to slow the spread of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant. A Mirror report specified that wearing a mask keeps an individual safe, although it comes with its own set of challenges like rashes or acne.

More so, one of the major downfalls of wearing a mask for people using eyeglasses is how much their lenses are fogging up and hampering their vision.

Taking off the glasses to wipe them, then clean every time they fog up is not just frustrating. It can increase the risk of infection, as well. Therefore, the key is to avoid or minimize fogging because of face masks.

The Science Behind Fogging Up of Lenses

According to a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a Dallas-based Laser Eye Center ophthalmologist Sidney Gicheru, MD, a WebMD report said that this had been a dilemma.

He elaborated that it is a common problem that each ophthalmologist in the US and perhaps worldwide is dealing with, and "we don't have a perfect solution."

The ophthalmologist also said the fogging has to do with the mask that allows moisture from the breath through the top of the mask onto the glasses. That moisture, he continued, builds up on the glasses, resulting in fog.

"There is not a magic bullet," said Dr. Gicheru, adding that the amount of fogging certainly relies on the mask, the glasses, not mention the patient's facial structure. Therefore, some patients have so much more trouble with it than others.

3 Effective Ways to Prevent the Glasses from Fogging Up with a Mask

Here are three effective tips to prevent the glasses from fogging up with a face mask.

1. Adjust the Glasses' Nose Wires

The nose wire of the eyeglasses will help seal the top of the mask and blocks the warm air from entering. Cleveland Clinic shared a similar idea.

While most surgical masks are already designed with built-in nose wires, one can easily make one of his own for any mask using wipe cleaners, jewelry wires, or paper clips, all of which can be secured along the face mask using fabric glue.

2. Put a Tissue Beneath the Mask's Top Part

One can put a tissue under the mask's top part. This will help catch some air and moisture, keeping the lenses fog-free. Ensure a steady tissue supply on hand to change the tissue when it turns damp from the breath.

3. Consider the Position of Your Masks and Glasses

If you pull your mask up and draw down your glasses, it can cause your breath to stop rising upwards. However, if you do this, several things to keep in mind.

First, guarantee that your mask is still covering your chin after pulling it up. Then, if your prescription is stronger, this strategy could affect your vision and increase blurriness.

Choosing a Good Quality Face Mask

To be sure you're using the right, and good quality mask, here are some of the things to look for when choosing one:

1. The nose wires and straps are adjustable to ensure a tight fit.

2. It should fully cover your chin to avoid the need to reposition when talking.

3. The mask should be made of moisture-absorbent material, although it is important to note that while masks made from light cotton or silks cause less fogging, they do not provide adequate protection from COVID-19.

4. The mask should have a seal along the bridge of the nose and a close fit along the upper cheeks.

5. It should have a straight fold along with the nose and cheek for the glasses to rest on evenly.

Here are more tips for preventing eyeglasses from fogging up with a face mask from Doctor Eye Health's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on Face Masks on Science Times.