For those who wear glasses, experiencing foggy lenses is something that happens from time to time, especially in the colder, winter months. These days, however, foggy glasses are much more prevalent due to the addition of face masks to our daily attire. In the grand scheme of things, having foggy lenses may seem like a minor issue, but for people who wear glasses, it's inconvenient, annoying, and can even be dangerous, as it prevents people from seeing clearly. So, what’s the solution? In this article, we’ll be sharing our top seven tips for preventing your glasses from fogging up, especially when wearing a face mask.
First of all, why do glasses fog up?
The reason your glasses fog up is simple. When warm air hits a cool surface, condensation can form. This is why your glasses fog up when you walk into a warm building after being outside in the cold air. The same thing happens with a face mask. When your warm breath escapes through the top of the mask, it hits the cool surface of your lenses and causes them to fog up.
How can you keep your glasses from fogging up?
This is a frustrating problem, but thankfully there are some simple things you can do to minimize or even eliminate the fog. Here are our top tips for fighting the fog.
1. Wash your lenses with soapy water
You might be surprised to learn that simply washing your glasses’ lenses with soap and water can stop them from fogging up. In fact, medical professionals with glasses who need to wear masks for their jobs have been using this trick for years. According to one study, this works because the soap and water leave a thin film on the lenses that acts as a fog barrier. To apply this hack, simply wash your lenses with soapy water, rinse them off, and gently dry them with a cloth and you’re good to go!
2. Use anti-fog spray or wipes
Another option is to use anti-fog spray or anti-fog wipes for glasses. These products are synthetic formulas that, like soap and water, create a protective film on the lenses that acts as a barrier to fog. Make sure that you use products that are specifically made for glasses, as some anti-fogging products are designed for cars or other purposes and they might ruin your lenses.
You can also make homemade anti-fog for glasses by mixing 2/3 cup white vinegar with 1/3 cup distilled water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on your lenses and then use a microfiber cloth to wipe them clean. Anti-fog products, whether commercial or homemade, are good to have on hand, as they can be used on the go when you need them.
3. Secure the top of your mask
To prevent foggy lenses when wearing a face mask, it’s important that your face mask fits well. If your mask fits loose and has an opening at the top, your warm, exhaled breath will be aiming upwards, directly towards your glasses. A snug mask, on the other hand, will direct air out of the bottom of the mask, away from your glasses. Use a face mask that has a bendable metal strip at the top of the mask, which you can pinch around your nose for a tight fit. Alternatively, you can also use a piece of skin-safe tape to secure your mask snugly around your nose.
4. Tuck a tissue in the top of your mask
A tissue may just solve your issue! This anti-fog hack is simple, accessible, and often does the trick. Fold a tissue into a strip and place it directly underneath the top edge of your face mask. The tissue shouldn’t be visible—it should be under the mask. By doing this, the tissue will absorb moisture from your breath, preventing your glasses from fogging up. Once you find the right position, you’ll likely want to secure the tissue by placing a piece of tape over the top edge of your mask.
5. Adjust your glasses’ nose pads
If your glasses have nose pads, you can adjust the pads so that your frames sit slightly further from your face. This will allow your warm, exhaled breath to escape instead of getting trapped between your face and these lenses. You can also play around with moving your glasses up or down on your face to reduce fogging.
6. Take care of your glasses
Smudges and scratches can increase the amount of condensation that builds up on your lenses. To keep your glasses in good condition, handle them with care and clean the lenses regularly.Click for detailed information about how to properly clean your glasses.
7. Breathe downward
While this tip is likely not sustainable long-term, it can be helpful if you’re in need of a quick anti-fog fix. Make an effort to breathe downward by holding your upper lip over your lower lip and blowing air downward as if you’re playing the flute. This technique will send more air away from your glasses, thereby reducing fogging.
The bottom line
While we can’t control the weather or the world around us, we can eliminate foggy glasses by applying the above anti-fog tips. These tips will work with any type of glasses, from sunglasses to prescription glasses to blue light glasses.
At GUNNAR, we offer an array of blue light blocking glasses to meet your unique needs. In today’s digital age, people are exposed to more blue light than ever via smartphones, computers, iPads, and other digital devices in addition to suffering from digital eye strain. Over time excessive digital screen use and exposure to blue light can be harmful to your visual system and lead to symptoms like headaches, dry eyes, blurry vision, and fatigue, as well as disrupted sleep. Whether you’re seeking a pair of blue light glasses for gaming or a pair of blue light prescription reading glasses for work, turn to GUNNAR for ultimate eye protection.