The recent relaxations of lockdown, whilst welcome, come with updated Government instructions* on face masks. To ensure you’re safe and protected from the spread of Covid-19, both your nose and mouth must be covered by a face covering. However if you wear a mask with spectacles you’ll probably have noticed that your glasses keep fogging up.
This fogging up of glasses is annoying but to comply with the latest advice on public transport etc what you must not do is remove your mask or uncover your nose. So what can you do? Here is some advice and tips to prevent your spectacle lenses become foggy.
Why do my glasses fog up?
It’s actually simple science. When we wear a mask warm breath escapes from the top of the mask and lands on the cooler surface of the lenses of your glasses. This creates condensation, or fog.
You get a similar effect if you wear glasses with for example a baclava in the winter, or when you open a hot oven door.
How can I stop them fogging up?
- Improve the fit
If your mask doesn’t fit properly around your face then it lets the warm air escape causing the fog.
Look for masks with a fine wire over the nose bridge to ensure it sits flush against your skin. Adjustable straps help too as you can tighten the sides for a good fit.
If you are making your own face coverings then use a fine fabric like tightly-woven 100% cotton or natural silk. This will allow your breath to escape more easily through the fabric, with less of it seeping upwards through the nose area directly under your glasses.
When you put on your mask, make sure to pinch the top of the mask to fit the shape of your nose. Alternatively tape your mask across the bridge of your nose and across your cheeks. You can use micropore or athletic tape to close the gap but test the tape to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin.
- Wash your glasses
Two doctors from the Royal College of Surgeons showed that washing glasses with soapy water and letting them air dry can help prevent fogginess. This is because the soap acts as a surface active agent, or surfactant, and leaves behind a thin film that helps prevents fog.
To follow their advice:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before touching any face-wear (remember to sign happy birthday twice)
- Rinse your spectacles with soapy water
- Dry the lenses carefully, shake off excess water and ideally leave to air dry
- You’re good to go
You can watch their video on how to do the steps above here
- Use a commercial wipe or spray
We stock Calosport Antifog and Antistatic Spray in our practice.
However, please keep in mind that anti-fog solutions may not work as well on glasses with certain coatings, such as anti-glare, anti-fingerprint, or anti-smudge. We can advise you on the best product for your glasses. Please call us on 01628 663055.
We are OPEN again for ALL private and essential / urgent appointments
8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 2pm on Saturday for ALL private appointments and urgent/ essential NHS appointments.
Please call us before you visit the practice as we are now operating an “appointment only” system. We will also ask you to wear a mask for your appointment. If you don’t have one we can supply a face mask at a charge of £1.00. We also have a hand sanitising station by the door.
*What is the latest Government advice on face coverings?
The latest Government advice as of 24th June 2020 is:
“You must wear a face covering at all times on public transport or when attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient.
If you can, you should also wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas.”