That the glasses fog up is a problem as frequent as it is annoying that has increased with the use of the mask. Fogged glasses prevent vision for seconds or minutes, creating situations that can be not only uncomfortable, but even dangerous.
The shape and material of which the lenses are made, the type of mask and its fit are details that influence this to occur more or less frequently. In addition, there are a number of tricks that we can use so that the glasses do not fog up. In this. article on how to prevent glasses from fogging, we've put together 12 tricks for you to maintain optimal vision, even with the mask.
Why do my glasses fog up?
It is important to know why mask glasses fog up, because knowing the cause is easier to find effective remedies. The truth is that it is almost inevitable that they fog up, since the air we exhale with our breath causes that annoying fog in the crystals. Basically, it is due to the temperature contrast between the crystals and the air that comes out through our nose and mouth.
This happens especially in winter, when it is colder and, therefore, the temperature difference with respect to the air we exhale intensifies. With each breath, we expel water vapor that condenses on the crystals forming mist and fogging our glasses.
Although this is a natural process that is difficult to control, don't worry. If you want to know how to prevent the glasses with a mask from fogging, there are some options that may be of maximum use to you.
Another option is to stop wearing glasses and switch to contact lenses. Therefore, we recommend this other article on How to clean contact lenses.
Dry soap
Scrubbing a piece of dry soap on the inside and outside of both crystals is one of the most used tricks when it comes to preventing the glasses from fogging. It can be effective, but you must take certain precautions so that the lenses do not scratch.
Even if it is solid, you should be able to spread the soap with some ease. Do it carefully and make sure that it does not have any edge or lump especially hard that acts as if it were a small stone. Rub the piece delicately and, once extended, remove the soap with a clean cloth until it is completely removed. In this way, a thin invisible layer will be created that will repel the fog avoiding the fogging of the glasses.
Wash them under the tap
Another simple trick to prevent the glasses from fogging is to wash them under the tap with warm – cold water (never hot) while applying a small amount of liquid soap, preferably neutral ph. Dry carefully and you will have them ready for use.
Adjust the mask well
Exhaling the air from our lungs every time we breathe is inevitable, but if we wear the mask well adjusted, this simple gesture will not only protect us better against the coronavirus but, in addition, will get less fog to our glasses.
Choose the mask that best suits your features and adjust it to the maximum. On the bridge of your nose, the mask has a flexible metal strip that is specifically designed to facilitate the ideal fit. In this way, you will reduce that air that comes out of the top and ends up fogging the glasses.
Surgical tape
If, despite adjusting the mask well, your glasses continue to fog, try reinforcing the metal strip that slows down the air outlet through the upper area. To do this, place on the strip a piece of tape or a simple band-aid. Thus, the exit will be ‘sealed'.
If you're always wearing glasses, you'll be interested in this other article on How to Avoid Red Eyes from Contact Lenses.
Tissue
Don't you really like the idea of wearing a tape on your nose? Another solution to prevent the glasses from fogging up with a mask is to place under it a tissue that ‘plugs' the upper outlet of the breathing air.
Take a small tissue and fold it into a triangle. Place it over your nose and put the mask on top of the tissue, as you normally would. In this way, you will have an extra anti-fog ‘brake'.
Glasses above the mask
If you do not have a handkerchief or tape on hand, a small trick that can help you when the glasses do not stop fogging, preventing you from seeing correctly, is to try to wear them just on the top edge of the mask, that is, ‘stepping on it' with the molding itself. Simple, but effective.
Sprays and wipes
You have at your disposal products so that the glasses that are very practical and economical do not fog up. Two of the best results are sprays and wipes, which, in addition to cleaning the glasses, prevent the formation of fog. Both products have a limited duration of between 4 and 6 hours and it is enough to resort to them before putting on the glasses. Apply them and you'll keep the annoying fogging at bay.
Heat them with your own air
Directly pouring the mist that we exhale when breathing on the glasses is a trick that we do frequently when we have nothing at hand and we want to clean the glasses. Exhale and then wipe with a cloth. This very common gesture will also help to form less fog in the glasses. It is because, as we have said, the glasses are fogged by the temperature contrast between the crystals (colder) and the air that comes out of the nose (hotter). Thus, by exhaling and heating the crystals, we reduce that contrast.
Lighter glasses
Another trick to prevent glasses from fogging up with a mask is to ensure that air can circulate more easily between the glass and your own eyes. This can be achieved by using glasses of lower weight, such as those with a metal frame.
You can also use a model that includes platelets or supports in the area of the bridge that rests over the nose. Glasses of this type allow to increase the entry of air from the outside, something that can counteract the fogging effect caused by the fog of the breath. If you suffer from this problem and have to change glasses, keep this detail in mind. To find out if it's time to change glasses, check out this other article on How often to change glasses.
Glasses forward
If you do not plan to change glasses, simply by advancing yours slightly towards the middle area of the nose (towards the tip), you will also favor the entry and circulation of air, preventing the glasses from fogging with the mask.
Folding in the hygienic mask
Reducing the arrival of fog to the glasses is possible with another small trick. If you use hygienic masks, try doing a small inward fold on the top band before adjusting it to your face. The fold will act as a barrier that stops the excess of fog
Potato
A last home remedy that you can try to prevent the glasses with a mask from fogging up is to gently rub half a peeled potato on the inner and outer face of your crystals. Pass it on and then dry the crystals with a clean cloth. The starch contained in the liquid released by the potato can help prevent the crystals from fogging.
