With face masks becoming a top method to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we are getting a very common question here at DiNapoli Opticians: How can I stop my glasses from fogging up when I wear a face mask?
It’s a great question! If you wear glasses, you probably have experienced it. You put your face mask on, take a few breaths and your glasses immediately fog up. So let’s take a look at a few ways to help with this issue:
- Choose a face mask with a bendable nose strip – Many masks come with a thin metal bendable nose strip. This strip can be molded to your nose to help create a better seal which will reduce the amount of fogging on your glasses.
- Add an adjustable nose strip – If you are using a cloth mask that does not have a nose strip as mentioned above, you can add one. We’ve heard of people using pipe cleaners as one option to achieve this better fit.
- Tape your mask to face – This might sound odd, but it’s not an uncommon practice among doctors. Use medical or athletic tape to tape your mask across your cheeks and bridge of the nose. It is a good idea to test the tape on another part of your skin first to see if it gets irritated before using it on your face.
- Keep your mask up – If you keep your mask higher up on your nose and let your glasses sit on it to weigh it down, the amount of warm air that reaches from your nose and mouth to your lenses should be reduced.
- Apply soap and water – This hack has worked for some, and is fairly easy. Wash your lenses with soapy water, shake them off, and then gently wipe them with a soft cloth. This will leave a thin film behind to create a barrier. WARNING: If your lenses contain a special coating, this could damage them. Please check with us before doing this if you’re not sure.
Do you have another tip to prevent your glasses from fogging up when wearing a face mask? Let us know!